If you have decided to stay, work, or study in Germany, aka, Deutschland, and are worried about the cost of living, then you might wonder what are the expenses of living in Germany. The first thing that comes to our mind when we decide to move to a foreign country is the cost of living. However, the cost of living in Germany varies depending on the city you are planning to settle down in. For example- living in Augsburg would cost you less as compared to living in major cities like Berlin and Dusseldorf. While migrating to a foreign country, both the cost of living and the standard of living should be considered. Other factors that play an important role are safety, education, and job opportunities. We hope that the detailed information mentioned in this blog will help you plan your expenses in Germany. Let us look at some of the important factors to help you understand the cost of living for an Indian in Germany.
Let us look at some statistics. If you are paying Rs. 20, 000 – Rs.35, 000 rent for a 2BHK apartment in Delhi, you would be paying around Rs.80, 000 – Rs.120, 000 in cities like Berlin and Munich. Your rent will include heating and maintenance charges. This will vary depending on how much you are using the heating equipment and other services. Also, you would be required to pay two months’ rent in advance while renting an apartment which will differ from city to city. Another point that is worth mentioning is it is difficult to find a furnished apartment in Germany and you might have to do your research well in advance. It will be easier for you to find apartments for rent in Germany at The Homelike.
As an Indian, living in Germany could be challenging since you may not have multiple food choices. The good news is that local groceries’ in Germany are priced moderately and there are many discounted supermarkets such as Lidl, Netto, and Aldi. Your weekly groceries will cost you around 35-40 Euros which is equivalent to Rs. 3,500. In case you want to buy an Indian product, you might have to pay extra given the import cost. Many Indian/Pakistani stores in Germany sell chapatti, pulses, vegetables, fruits, and other Indian food items but it will cost you around 100 Euros/month.
Do you know that in Germany you can choose your electricity provider? If you are living alone, your monthly electricity bill will be around 50 Euros which will be automatically deducted from your bank account. However, if you are living with your family, it may come to around 80-120 Euros/month (approximately Rs.7,000 – Rs.10,000). The amount of your electricity bill depends on how much you cook at home or how frequently you use the washing machine and other electrical appliances. You will rarely find air conditioners or ceiling fans in Germany.
Public transport in Germany is reasonably priced. You can opt for a monthly or annual transport ticket/pass in your city. The pass will cost you around 30 Euros/month (Rs. 2700)and the money would get deducted annually from your bank account. If you are living with a family, you can buy the same pass for your spouse/parents. For kids below 14 years of age, there is no ticket.
Even though you can use Skype or WhatsApp to connect with your friends/ relatives back home in India, you may find it easier to get a SIM card from nearby supermarkets. Many providers offer unlimited free calls to India like Lebara. You will just have to pay 30 Euros/month (Rs. 2700) to avail of this offer. You can use o2, M-net, and Vodafone for internet connection.
You would be surprised to know that higher education and schooling in Germany are free. Whereas childcare and kindergartens are not. If your child goes to kindergarten, you will have to pay 120 Euros/month (Rs.10, 000). Furthermore, you can apply for Kindergeld (children allowance) if you have a valid residence permit. It will provide you with around 220 Euros (Rs. 19,000) which will be credited to your bank account every month. Hence, you do not have to worry about your child’s expenses in Germany.
The cost of entertainment in Germany depends on your preference. If you want to continue watching your country’s programs, you will have to buy Netflix, Hotstar, or Amazon Prime subscriptions. Because of the change in your geographical location, you may not be able to access some of the content that you were watching earlier unless you use a VPN like NordVPN. You will have to pay an additional 12-14 Euros/month for the same.
Generally, 30% of your gross salary will be deducted as tax in Germany (for a married person). For example- if you get 6000 Euros/month, you will only get 4200 in hand. You are suggested to plan your monthly/annual expenses accordingly. The tax you pay goes to your pension fund, health insurance, unemployment insurance, accident & sick pay insurance as well as disability insurance.
If you are an IT professional, you might get a 55,000 to 70,000 Euros annual salary in Germany. You must note that the salary, as well as your expensed, might differ depending on the city you are going to live in. You must do thorough research before accepting a salary offer. The best cities that offer stellar job opportunities in Germany are Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Stuttgart and Nuremberg. Most of the big German companies with high-paying salaries are located here.
Leipzig, Bochum, Kiel, Siegen, Jena, Osnabruck, Bremen
If you are moving to Germany, you will have to keep in mind certain requirements such as ‘Proof of Financial Resources’. The German authorities would want to confirm that you have sufficient funds to stay and maintain an acceptable standard of living in Germany. Hence, you will be required to submit evidence of financial security. There are many ways through which you can do so like a Blocked account, Bank guarantee, Scholarships, Verpflichtungserklärung (a guarantee letter from a relative or a friend who is a permanent resident of Germany), or parental support. Nonetheless, the blocked account is the most recommended solution for visa/residence permit applications by German authorities.
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Book your Free Counselling Session now!Yes, if you show a valid student ID, you will have to pay less for tickets to opera houses, theatres, museums, cinemas and other cultural institutions.
Getting a scholarship is the best way to go about it. Many institutions like the DAAD, party-related foundations and business-affiliated organizations offer financial support to international students.
Doctors, nurses, IT professionals, engineers, life and computer scientists, childcare workers, chefs and drivers are in high demand.
It greatly depends on the type of accommodation, location, and lifestyle the student opts for.
Having a part-time wage will let you save the blocked account amount for further use. You will be able to secure yourself for the second year of living in Germany.
