Cost of Living in Germany in 2026: Monthly Budget

The cost of living in Germany isn’t limited to rent and grocery shopping. Utility bills, transportation, insurance, and expenses for children also affect the amount you’ll need each month. Plus, the same budget offers different opportunities in different cities. Let’s break down how much a single person, a couple, and a family with a child need to live, which expenses are easy to underestimate, and how much you should set aside for the move.

In a previous article, we discussed the world’s best cities to live in, according to Generation Z.

Planning to move abroad and calculating your budget? Also consider the requirements for legal residency: grounds for obtaining a residence permit, proof of income, and necessary documents. Visit World’s immigration lawyers will help you understand the available relocation options and the requirements for your specific situation so you can plan the application process and related expenses in advance.

How much does it cost to live in Germany per month?

For preliminary planning, the cost of living in Germany in 2026 can be estimated at between €1,800 and €2,500 per month for a single person renting a private apartment. This is an approximate budget for moderate spending, not an official minimum cost of living. A room in a shared apartment allows you to spend less, while renting in an expensive neighborhood of a major city can significantly increase the cost. Current cost surveys also provide varying estimates depending on the city and living conditions.

Approximate budget for different households

To calculate monthly expenses in Germany, we suggest the following budget ranges:

1. One person: €1,800–2,500. A small rental apartment, mostly home-cooked meals, public transportation, and moderate personal expenses.

2. A couple without children: €2,800–3,800 for two. Shared housing and utilities help reduce expenses per person. This budget assumes living without a personal car.

3. Two adults with a school-age child: €3,500–5,000. A larger apartment, meals, transportation, school supplies, and leisure activities. Private school and paid childcare are not included in this estimate.

These amounts are editorial guidelines for planning purposes. For comparison: an official 2023 cost-of-living survey recorded an average of €1,918 per month for a single person and €3,523 for a couple without children. However, these statistics cover a range of housing conditions, so they do not reflect how much a new lease would cost today.

What should be calculated separately?

You should compare your budget to your income after taxes and mandatory contributions. If health insurance has already been deducted from your paycheck, there’s no need to include that payment in your expenses again. The security deposit for an apartment, moving expenses, furniture purchases, and an emergency fund are also not included in the monthly amounts listed. A separate initial budget is needed for these.

Learn more about the specifics and potential additional costs of buying real estate in Germany by following the link.

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Germany?

Rent in Germany depends on the city, size, condition of the building, and living arrangement. For a single person, a room in a shared apartment can significantly reduce living costs. For a couple or family, it’s important to compare the total monthly cost, not just the price listed in the ad headline.

A Room in a Shared Apartment

The WG (Wohngemeinschaft) arrangement provides a private room and shared use of the kitchen and other common areas. In a study of the student housing market for the 2026/27 winter semester, the average cost of such a room was approximately €510 per month. At the same time, the figure reached €850 in Munich and €650 in Berlin and Hamburg. These are benchmarks for university cities, not the average price of all rooms nationwide.

A Separate Apartment

In the second quarter of 2026, the rental rate for housing on the secondary market in the ImmoScout24 model was €8.97 per m² nationwide, and for new construction, it was €13.28 per m².

For a comparable 70 m² apartment, this amounts to approximately:

- €628 per month in a pre-existing building;

- €930 per month in a new construction.

This is the base rent without additional charges. The figures are calculated for a typical property and therefore do not guarantee the availability of an apartment at this price. In Munich, a similar calculation for a non-new-construction apartment comes to about €1,408 per month.

What amount should you check in a listing?

To accurately assess the cost of renting an apartment in Germany, you need to distinguish between three concepts:

- Kaltmiete: the base rent for the apartment.

- Nebenkosten: additional charges, such as for water, trash removal, and building maintenance.

- Warmmiete: base rent plus additional charges, usually including heating.

Electricity and internet are often billed separately. If you have individual gas heating, you may also need your own contract with a gas supplier. Therefore, even the Warmmiete doesn’t always represent the total cost of living.

We previously discussed how to rent an apartment in Germany.

Cost of Utilities in Germany

Utility costs in Germany depend on the apartment’s size, the building’s energy efficiency, and consumption. Cheaper housing with old windows and inefficient heating may end up being more expensive than an apartment with a higher rent but lower utility bills.

Heating, Water, and Building Maintenance

In the second quarter of 2026, additional charges in energy-inefficient housing averaged €3.28 per m² per month. For a 70 m² apartment, this amounts to approximately €230 on top of the base rent. This is a market benchmark, not a fixed rate: the specific list of services and the amount depend on the building and the lease agreement.

If these charges are already included in the Warmmiete, there’s no need to add them to your budget again. It’s also worth checking whether the amount listed is an advance payment: after the annual recalculation, you may owe additional fees or receive a refund for overpayment.

Electricity

The average price of electricity for households in 2026 is approximately €0.37 per kWh. Based on this estimate, annual consumption of 2,000 kWh corresponds to about €62 per month, and 3,500 kWh to €108. This is an approximate calculation: the actual bill depends on the rate, the fixed monthly fee, and consumption.

Electric water heating or heating can significantly increase costs. Therefore, before renting, it is important to find out exactly how the apartment is heated.

Internet, Mobile Service, and Broadcasting Fee

You should also factor the following into your monthly expenses in Germany:

- Home internet: approximately €30–50 per apartment.

- Cell phone service: approximately €10–40 per person for a plan that includes calls and a data package of at least 10 GB. The average cost is about €22.

Broadcasting fee: €18.36 per month per residence, typically paid as a lump sum of €55.08 every three months. The fee is charged per apartment, regardless of the number of residents or whether there is a TV. Discounts are available for certain categories.

When comparing offers from service providers, be sure to check the price after the promotional period ends. Discounted rates for the first few months do not always reflect the actual cost of the service over the entire contract period.

We previously covered how to start a business in Germany: a detailed guide for foreigners.

Grocery and Food Prices in Germany

Food expenses in Germany depend primarily on your habits: cooking at home, buying ready-made meals, and eating out regularly all require different budgets. For preliminary planning, you can budget €250–350 per month for groceries for one adult if you mainly cook at home. This is a guideline, not a fixed cost for a grocery basket.

Groceries in Supermarkets

Approximate grocery prices in Germany as of September 2026:

- Milk, 1 L – €1.17

- White bread, 500 g – €1.90

- Rice, 1 kg – €3.13

- Eggs, 12 – €3.41

- Chicken breast, 1 kg – €10.40

- Apples, 1 kg – €2.90

- Potatoes, 1 kg – €1.30

These are rounded average figures from the Numbeo user database. They help estimate the order of magnitude of expenses but do not represent the prices of a specific retail chain: prices vary depending on the brand, store, and promotions.

Eating Out

Lunch at an affordable restaurant costs an average of €15, a meal at a fast-food chain is about €11, and a cappuccino is €3.60. A three-course dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant costs approximately €66, not including drinks.

Even just a few meals out can make a noticeable dent in your budget. For example, eight lunches at €15 each add up to €120 per month, and coffee at €3.60 for 20 workdays adds another €72. That’s why it’s best to budget for cafes, delivery, and restaurants separately from your grocery shopping.

In our previous article, we discussed the highest-paying jobs in Germany: top professions that don’t require a college degree.

How much does transportation cost in Germany?

Transportation costs in Germany depend primarily on whether you need your own car. If you can reach work and other daily destinations by public transportation, a single monthly pass will cover most of your trips.

Public Transportation

In 2026, the Deutschlandticket costs €63 per month. It is valid nationwide on city buses, trams, subways, the S-Bahn, and second-class regional trains. For two adults, it costs €126 per month. Trips on high-speed trains and most other long-distance trains, including the ICE, IC, and EC, are paid for separately. int.bahn.de

The Deutschlandticket is purchased as a subscription. If you use public transportation only occasionally, it’s worth comparing its price to local single-ride and day passes. The cost depends on the city, fare zone, and duration of the trip.

Personal Car

Owning a car in Germany involves more than just filling up the tank. You’ll need to include the following in your budget:

- Fuel or charging

- Insurance and vehicle tax

- Maintenance, repairs, tires, and vehicle inspection

- Parking or garage rental

- Loan or lease payments, if applicable

For example: with a monthly mileage of 1,000 km, fuel consumption of 6 liters per 100 km, and a hypothetical gasoline price of €1.80 per liter, fuel alone will cost €108. Insurance, maintenance, and parking are added on top of that.

When estimating the total cost of ownership, you should also factor in the car’s depreciation. ADAC includes this in its calculations alongside insurance, taxes, fuel, and maintenance costs.

Therefore, a cheaper apartment outside the city should be evaluated in conjunction with transportation costs. The need to drive every day can offset the savings on rent.

In our previous article, we discussed how to move to Germany in 2026: a complete guide for immigrants.

Health Insurance and Healthcare Costs in Germany

Health insurance in Germany for salaried employees is typically paid through payroll deductions. The employer and employee split the premiums equally. If you’re budgeting based on your net pay, you don’t need to include this amount in your expenses again.

You should also budget for medical treatment costs in Germany that aren’t fully covered by insurance. Under the public health system, the copayment for prescription medications is usually €5–10 per package, but no more than the medication’s cost. Adults pay €10 per day for hospital stays, up to a maximum of 28 days per year. Exceptions and exemptions from copayments apply.

Before traveling, it’s important to ensure you have coverage for the period before your local insurance takes effect. On Visit World, you can find health insurance for your stay abroad based on the purpose and duration of your trip. Check the coverage area, limits, and exclusions. A travel insurance policy does not replace the insurance required for permanent residence in Germany.

How much does it cost to raise a child in Germany?

The cost of raising a child in Germany depends on the child’s age, the city, and the amount of care required. The family budget should include not only food and clothing but also daycare, school supplies, extracurricular activities, and after-school care.

Daycare and Preschool Care

There is no uniform fee structure for daycare. Conditions vary even among major cities:

- In Berlin, daycare within the city’s funding system is free. The standard parental contribution for lunches is €23 per month. Separate, agreed-upon surcharges may apply for additional services.

- In Hamburg, basic care for up to five hours a day, including meals, is free under the Kita-Gutschein system. For longer stays, the fee depends, among other things, on income and family composition.

Before choosing a place to live, it’s important to check not only the rates but also the availability of spots and the daycare’s hours of operation. If these don’t cover the parents’ workday, additional childcare will be needed.

School and Extracurricular Expenses

Education in Germany’s public schools is free, but that doesn’t mean there are no associated costs. You should include the following in your budget:

- School supplies, a backpack, and sportswear

- Lunches, if they are not covered by a local program

- After-school care and childcare during school breaks

- Field trips, sports clubs, and creative activities

It’s best to calculate the budget for a family with a child in Germany based on the specific city and school. Note that groceries, housing, and utilities are already included in general family expenses: there’s no need to add them again as a separate “child-rearing cost.”

Which German cities are more expensive to live in, and which are cheaper

The cost of living in German cities varies significantly due to rent. For a clear comparison, let’s consider the same type of housing: a two-bedroom apartment with an area of 70 m² in a building that is not a new construction. According to ImmoScout24’s model rates for the second quarter of 2026, the base monthly rent is:

- Munich – about €1,408. The most expensive city among the four: €20.12 per m².

- Hamburg – about €930. The rate is €13.28 per m², excluding utilities and other additional fees.

- Berlin – about €923. The rate is €13.18 per m². For new construction, the figure is significantly higher: a similar-sized apartment would cost approximately €1,473.

- Leipzig – about €628. The most affordable option in this comparison, with a rate of €8.97 per m².

Learn more about the best cities in Germany for expats by following the link.

How much money do you need to move to Germany?

Your budget for moving to Germany should cover more than just the first month of living there. You’ll need separate funds for a security deposit, travel expenses, temporary housing, and furnishing your apartment. The total amount depends on whether you already have a job and permanent housing.

Before moving, it’s a good idea to draw up a budget covering the following items:

1. Apartment security deposit – Kaution. As a general rule, it cannot exceed three months’ rent excluding utilities. If the Kaltmiete is €900, the maximum deposit is €2,700. The security deposit may be paid in three equal monthly installments.

2. First month’s living expenses. Rent plus additional fees, groceries, transportation, communication, and other daily necessities.

3. Temporary housing. This is necessary if you haven’t found a permanent apartment yet or if you’ll be moving in later.

4. Furnishing. Furniture, dishes, bedding, appliances, and delivery. Before signing the lease, check what is already in the apartment.

5. Travel and paperwork. Tickets, moving expenses, translations, and fees, which depend on the reason for the move.

The security deposit is not rent: it is a security amount that can be refunded at the end of the lease, subject to the landlord’s reasonable claims. However, you won’t be able to use this money for daily expenses during the lease.

It’s helpful to calculate initial expenses in Germany based on your own scenario. For example, with a monthly budget of €2,000 and a security deposit of €2,700 for the first month, the total required for the security deposit is €4,700. If you set aside additional funds for two more months of living expenses, the total will rise to €8,700—excluding travel, furniture, and temporary housing.

If you’ve already chosen a country to move to, the next step is to prepare your documents and agree on submission deadlines. Contact the immigration lawyers at Visit World to review your document package, clarify the process for obtaining residency status for yourself and your family, and minimize the risk of delays due to errors in your application.

We remind you! Where in the European Union will it be cheapest to live in 2026? Read more about which EU countries have the lowest cost of living, and compare prices for groceries, transportation, utilities, housing, and daily expenses before moving.

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