How much does it cost to rent an apartment or a house in Germany? I own my place, so I'm a bit out of touch with the rental market and just going on what friends say and what gets reported in the press. Really depends on where you are. Even in Berlin, there are incredible differences depending on district. Within the Ring, expect to pay at least 800 per month (cold, meaning no heat, hot water or other additional costs) for a 3-room (2 bedroom, though in some apartments, all three rooms can easily be used as bedrooms if you don't mind not having a living room). You can still find the odd 2-room apartment for 600 Euros per month, though you might find yourself in a line down the block to get it. Outside the ring, rents are cheaper, especially in less "desirable" districts like Marzahn (which is totally fine, if a bit drab).
How much does it cost to buy an apartment or a house in Germany? Vast differences depending on where you are. You could easily find a house on the edges of the city for under 400,000 Euros, but you'd be hard pressed to find a larger apartment in Prenzlauer Berg for that price. If you want to buy, do some browsing on immobilienscout24.de...that's where you'll find the most reliable listings. Expect to pay between 3 and 7 percent for estate agent fees. Land transfer tax is 6% in Berlin. There are also other small fees for things like notaries, translators, etc.
How much do you pay on average for public transportation (bus, subway, train, tram, taxi)? A one-way ticket is 2.80 Euro in the AB zone and covers bus, subway, commuter trains and trams. You can cut this down a bit of you buy a 4-ride ticket (9 Euros for 4 rides). A monthly ticket costs 81 Euros (I think) for the AB zone and is recommended if you take public transport daily. Taxis aren't public transport, and I judge you if you use them as such.
I ride a bike. It's almost free. I pay an average of 50 Euros per year for maintenance (usually in lump sums of 100-200 Euros every few years. You can probably maintain your bike for less, but I do tours so good parts are important).
How much do you pay for basic food items such as rice, bread, and pasta? Pasta costs less than a Euro for a 500 g pack. Even an organic package can cost about a Euro at Lidl or Aldi. Bread is around 1 Euro at the supermarket and 2-4 Euros at the bakery. Rice isn't a staple here, so expect to pay a little bit more.
What is your monthly budget for groceries? 150 Euros
How much does it cost to see a doctor/dentist/physician/specialist in Germany? Nothing. You're legally required to have health insurance and insurance covers these visits.
How much do you pay for health insurance per month? Statutory health insurance is 15.5% of your income split between you and your employer. It sounds expensive, but your rates never increase and they'll never give you unnecessary treatments.
How much does childcare cost on average per month? No idea. I don't have children. It's subsidized to some extent, I think, and I believe what you end up paying depends on your income.
What is your child's schooling budget per month? Again, no idea. We plan on sending our children to state school when we have them. Our taxes will pay for most of this and it's just stuff like supplies, after-school activities and class trips.
How much does it cost to fill up your car’s fuel tank? I don't own a car and don't think you should drive regularly if you live in Berlin. You're just contributing to an increasing problem with congestion and air pollution. I recommend you at least -try- living car-free for your first year here, and then decide if you really, really must have a car. You'll probably decide that you don't need it, and your bank account will thank you.
How much do you pay for electricity/gas/water etc., per month? 65 Euros for electricity (I work at home, so I use lights and power during the day...if you don't work from home, this is likely cheaper). 90 Euros for both heat and hot water worked into our Hausgeld (for a large 3-room flat).
How much do you pay for your internet and phone subscription? 55 Euros for a package that includes unlimited calling, high-speed internet and digital cable TV.
How much do you pay for your lunch pack on weekdays? I work at home. But when I worked in an office, I packed my own lunch. It saved me a tonne of money. You can get pretty cheap hot lunches at butchers and some bakers for 5 Euros, but that still adds up over time.
How much do you pay for an espresso coffee? I never drink espresso. Lattes cost around 3 Euros, give or take.
How much do you pay for a cinema ticket? 8-15 Euro, depending on which cinema (Yorck is cheaper, Cinestar is more expensive), whether it's a 3D show, and whether it's cheap night. There are lots of places to see movies in English in Berlin, so don't limit yourself to Cinestar.
How much does a gym membership cost in Germany? No idea. I cycle, so I get to roll exercise and transport into one bundle and pay next to nothing for it.
