Cost of living in Germany

wow amazing ! Thanks guys ..

For cost of living I suggest to check on immoscout24.de

Very useful information. Would be great if somebody could provide similar sort of information for Frankfurt Main i.e. cost of  furnished accomodation (1 bedroom flat), food, travel etc.

Thank you.

Hi everybody,

It would be very interesting and helpful to start a topic about the cost of living in darmstadt  Germany for student for 3 monthes.

Don't forget to mention where you are living

Let's compare the:

> accommodation prices (how much does it cost to rent or to buy an accommodation in Germany?)

> public transportation fares (tube, bus etc ...)

> food prices(per month, how much does it cost you?)

> health prices (for those who need medical insurance)

> eduction prices (if you need to pay)

> energy prices (oil, electricity)

> common bills (Internet, television, telephone, mobile phone)

> prices of a good menu in a traditional restaurant

> prices of a beer or a coffee in a regular pub

Thanks in advance for your participation!

Hi All,
       I was wondering about short stay in Germany...like for 3 months at the most.  I have a life-threatening illness, and they're so backward over here that they don't do the type of treatment that I prefer, so I'm having it treated in Germany...thanks, in advance, for any helpful info,

Michael

Hi there, I live in Berlin and I can give you some advise on the prices here.
1. Accommodation prices-can vary. But for a room if you search carefully you can find from 200 to 350.. 400euro usually is the highest price for a room. It depends what you are looking for, if you are staying alone or with flatmates.

2. Public transportation fares-> the cheapest underground compare to other Capital cities. 2,4 is the single fare and is for 2 hours for any transport you take. But it is much better to have a month ticket. It is 77euro and on weekends you can have somebody with you all day for free and every day after 8 as well.

3. Food prices- the food is in normal prices. I wouldn’t say cheap, but you can always visit the Lidl for better offers.. Rossman, Dm very nice stores. You can find really good stuff, like cleaning stuff, cosmetics, electrical equipment for the house and even organic food. Organic food generally in Germany is quite cheap.

4. Health prices-> I guess is 150 per month in Techniker Krakenkasse if you pay individually. They don’t have free medical insurance. However, if you have a job, they pay it for you.

5. Education prices- As I have heard is not much comparing to the rest of Europe. For universities it can be 300 per semester till 800. It depends the course you take, if it is a private school or not.. Also if you want to learn german in a German language school, you can try in Deutschakademie (www.deutschakademie.de). I am taking classes in this school and I am very satisfied. It is 3h per day, for times a week and for 4 weeks it cost me only 205. And for this price the quality is very high..

6. Energy prices-> Can't help you on this much. Usually in many houses the price of a rent of a room combine all the the bill (electricity and gas)

7. Common bills (Internet, television, telephone, mobile phone)- these one also can vary. I am paying for internet (very bad connection)15 euro per month. I don’t have a television, neither telephone. The mobile can be with pay as you go.

8. Prices of a good menu in a traditional restaurant->  The prices are in a medium level. Comparing to Paris, London is cheaper.. It can be like 20 euro per person I guess.

9. Prices of a beer or a coffee in a regular- Beer costs the lowest you can find 1,5 and the highest 3,5.. A coffee (which is made with no effort-they just push a button to make you a cappuccino) costs 1-1,5 a black coffee and 2-3euro a cappuccino.

Hi all,

I'm a Telecom engineer and I've got a contract in dusseldorf and I'm planning to move with my family, wife and kid and I'm wondering if a salary of 2700 euros net would be enough to live a standard quality life.
I would appreciate if someone having same situation can reply my question
Thank you!

If by "net" you mean after deductions and taxes (i.e. the amount you get into your bank account), it is enough for a family of three.
However, if it is before deductions and taxes, you'll only get around EUR1900 into your account, and depending on your lifestyle this can be a bit tight.
Engineers usually earn more than that.

Hi beppi,

Thank for your answer. Actually it's the salary I got after taxes, medical insurance and retirement insurance deduction.

For your remark about engineers salary could you please communicate any numbers about this.

Thank you!

First there is the obvious one. Fuel. Gasoline (petrol) is about double (maybe more) here what is in the USA. $4.10 in Washington DC compared to with conversion around $8.50 for a gallon in Germany. Information - our cell phone plan through telekom.de, or TMobile is the same price here, €105,00 for one smart phone with internet as we paid back in the states for a 4 phone plan with internet on two, unlimited text $120.00. Our internet is more here but I don't have examples of price. I don't know if there is really a difference in food price. Small farms and markets are much more readily available in Germany than they are back in the states. Produce at these farms is far cheaper (I think) than you would pay at grocery stores or even small farms in US. Eating out is more expensive I have found. Entrees are a little more, $20.00 compared to €20,00 but it's beverages that we have found to be the bill buster.

hi.. In Germany,its not difficult to survive. I am living with my family and live a luxurious life.

Try this website for cost of living numbeo.com

stumpy wrote:

Try this website for cost of living numbeo.com

Danke, very useful site

Hello, My name is Michael Charles Harman, Charles on the Expat.com. My wife who is from the Philippines myself, and our three young children want to move and live in Germany near Ramstein Air Base or in the kaiserslautern area. I am a USAF retiree retired in 1987. I was stationed at Zweibrucken Air Base from 1973 to 1976.
How hard or easy is it to retire in Germany? My thinking is as a Military retiree I can use the medical facilities on the air base and do my shopping in the commissary. I have a lot of questions to be answered.

1. Can I afford to live in Germany, what is the cost as compared to the united states. I have a social security and a pension around $3,600 a month.

2. Can I use the Landstuhl Regional Medical Facility if I am on Champus Prime.

3. Can my wife find work on the air base? she will be a Pharmacist Graduate from her University.

4. We plan to move in approximately 18 months from now, how soon do we need to begin processing.

5. Should I arrive sooner to get settled in ahead of time like now...?

6. How expensive are apartments in that area.

7. Are there any american or international schools for my kids.

CharlesHarman wrote:

Hello, My name is Michael Charles Harman, Charles on the Expat.com. My wife who is from the Philippines myself, and our three young children want to move and live in Germany near Ramstein Air Base or in the kaiserslautern area. I am a USAF retiree retired in 1987. I was stationed at Zweibrucken Air Base from 1973 to 1976.
How hard or easy is it to retire in Germany? My thinking is as a Military retiree I can use the medical facilities on the air base and do my shopping in the commissary. I have a lot of questions to be answered.

1. Can I afford to live in Germany, what is the cost as compared to the united states. I have a social security and a pension around $3,600 a month.
Cost of living is generally higher. See www.numbeo.com for a comparison.
I am not sure if your pension would be taxable in Germany (generally, you get taxed where you live, but there are exceptions, so check with a German tax consultant!
US3600 (=EUR2700) is o.k. to survive (a bit below German average) but by no means luxurious. If you have to pay taxes or have any financial obligations elsewhere, it will be tight.

2. Can I use the Landstuhl Regional Medical Facility if I am on Champus Prime.
No idea. But everybody living in Germany has to have (compulsory) German health insurance (and can use any German medical facility). This insurance costs between EUR160 and EUR650/month (depending on your income) and covers your family members (as long as they have no own income)

3. Can my wife find work on the air base? she will be a Pharmacist Graduate from her University.
No idea. Ask there!
Also check if Philippino degrees are recognised in Europe - if not, she cannot work as a pharmacist here.

4. We plan to move in approximately 18 months from now, how soon do we need to begin processing.
You need a residency visa. I have no idea on which basis (other than work or family ties) you can get such a visa, but getting the required paperwork might take time. So better start soon, by asking about the process at your nearest German embassy.

5. Should I arrive sooner to get settled in ahead of time like now...?
Without a residency visa, you can only stay 90 days in the EU as a tourist. You decide whether such a preparatory trip is beneficial.

6. How expensive are apartments in that area.
Rents are reasonable in these areas, as they're not big urban centres. But with so many kids, you need at least a 3-bedroom (4 Zimmer in German) place. Count on EUR800 or more for rent, plus utilities (heating).

7. Are there any american or international schools for my kids.
Why do you want them to move to Germany without immersion in the local culture and society?
In any case, international schools will not be cheap (local ones are free).

OK thanks, I know already my wife can't work in the USA as a Pharmacist but may as an assistant. She plans to try to get a job on the air base doing anything if that is possible. If she works then I will have more money to use. On another website it said American retirees were welcome as long as they had sufficient pension and insurance. If I have medical insurance with the US government, do I still also have to have the German insurance? or can that be waived. Then I do online work building websites for extra cash. It may be better to have them go to local schools as you say, then I need to learn German also as I currently know only a few words, took it in High School and lived in that area from 1973 to 1976 and spoke a little. Can't imagine hearing German coming out of my kids mouths though. But I have no problem with that.

If your insurer is registered with the German authorities and follows German health insurance rules, you are fine. Most international insurers are not.
Wherever you move. you'll have to learn the local language - or your social life will be near Zero (Imagine: How are you going to buy groceries or ask for the way?). Your kids will pick it up faster than you think - and then may teach you!

Please don't take this personally, but you come across as being anxious about contact with German (or any unfamiliar) culture, and in that case you should reconsider your plans: I have seen well-educated, grown men become depressed, nervous wrecks due to staying in a foreign culture they felt ambivalent to.
Resentment, however slight, will be sensed and mirrored by your environment. Your insistence on being with and around USA people and institutions does not bode well in this respect!

Kerpen is about 40 minutes from Cologne and you should be able to find cheap rental properties in and around that area.  Look around the Eifel area - it's really pretty there, and due to low demand you should find quite a few properties to choose from. 

Beppi,

I lived in Germany in 1972 to 1976 Four years in that same area and loved it, I was active duty at the time and was stationed in Zweibrucken Air Base now closed at least as far as the US military goes. The only reason I wanted to be near Ramstein Air Base is to use the facilities there to take care of some of my US business and use the landstuhl medical facilities in case of a medical emergency, otherwise I like being immersed into the local community. When I was in Germany 72 - 76 I also lived off base in and apartment and the owner became one of my best friends. I used to travel all over the country by train and visited many of the castles and tourist areas of Germany. I once drove my car from Bramen all the way across to Zweibrucken got lost twice but made it. I still know a little German and would work hard to master that. And one of my good friends is only 2 hours from there. I will initially stay with him until I get settled in there. I seriously doubt I would ever become depressed and certainly would not dislike the Germans. When I was there the Germans I met were all very friendly. Once met an old German man that had a wine seller he pulled out two 1945 white wine bottles and gave them to me. I really enjoyed my time in Germany and is one reason I would like to go back. Once I learn the language and get the local insurance I can sever my american ties altogether, and this is not a problem.

Michael

hii,i wana go 2 Germany. maybe wit scholarship.so i wana know the living expense of this country approx..and about job what is the frequency of getting job for  msc or phd holders?and what if i as Indian apply for PR limit? how long it will take to be a German citizen?Please help me.

anrip wrote:

so i wana know the living expense of this country approx..

Check www.numbeo.com and other threads on this forum.

anrip wrote:

and about job what is the frequency of getting job for  msc or phd holders?..

There is no frequency for this.

anrip wrote:

and what if i as Indian apply for PR limit?..

There are no PR limits in Germany

anrip wrote:

how long it will take to be a German citizen?

You can apply for citizenship if you lived and worked (without needing government social security or other payments) for eight years and fulfil certain other criteria (language skills, cultural integration, etc.).

hii,thank you for dose information..

Hi Charles Harmann,

German health insurance is compulsory. If you don't start paying it when you arrive, they will charge you the back pay when they find out, so best to just register on arrival. 
If you can, get private insurance, the service is much better.  There aren't actual waiting lists, but if you need an appointment with a specialist or for an MRT for example, you can wait anything from 3-9 months, but when you're private you can wait just a few days (this is from my own personal experience, before I had private insurance).  And, you see the Dr. before the rest of the patients, unless everyone else is private.
There are a few international schools, but I would recommend German gymnasium school for any teenage children.  Some Gymnasiums offer a bilingual (German/English) programme now, so phone around the Gymnasiums in the area before you go, so you know what area you want to live in.  Places tend to be allocated to people that live in the area.

Good luck.

I see many people told you about the prices. Many of them are very acuarate because I am living in Germany and I have to buy all of these things - and they cost a lot. It is not very expensive but I as a students do not have lots of earnings. Also something you have to deal if for ecxample you are staying in Germany as a visitor or a student or even for a Professional Training you have to pay a small fee for Health Care. The prices vary from company to company. I have been using Mawista for 2 years and they are the cheapest in Germany. Hope you will come and live here in Germany because it is an amazing place, and everyone is so friendly