Social financial assistance is temporary in nature. Sooner or later it will be discontinued. And if you plan to stay in the EU, you need to be guided by the real cost of living in a particular country. So we are starting a series of new publications about how much it costs to live abroad and how much you need to earn in the future to be able to stay here.

First on our list is Germany.

In Germany, the cost of living depends on the federal state and city. Let’s consider the main expenses and the necessary income for a comfortable stay.

Housing and bills

According to the latest data, the average prices for renting a one-room apartment in large German cities are as follows:

• Munich: from 1,023 euros in a remote part of the city;
• Berlin: from 907 to 1331 euros;
• Stuttgart: from 787 to 1278 euros;
• Frankfurt: from 878 to 1143 euros;
• Hamburg: from 803 to 1056 euros;
• Cologne: from 678 to 906 euros.

Garbage removal, electricity, heating and water for an 85 square meter apartment will cost up to 250 euros per month on average.

In Germany, every household has to pay a fee to finance public broadcasting. The amount of payment is currently 18.36 euros per month.

The fee is charged regardless of whether you watch German TV, listen to German radio or not. As the fee is charged per household, the fee can be split between tenants if you live in a shared flat.

For long-term leases in Germany, it is customary to rent housing unfurnished. Sometimes even without a kitchen. These are your additional costs.

Food:

Prices in popular supermarkets Aldi, Edeka and Lidl:

• Chicken meat (1 kg): 5.35 euros
• Minced pork: 3-5 euros per kg
• Milk (1 l): 1 euro
• Gouda cheese (150 g): 5 euros
• Pasta (500 g): 0.77 euros
• Potatoes (1 kg): 1.17 euros

The average weekly food basket for one person with basic products is approximately 100 euros.

Expenses for children:

• State kindergarten: 70-200 euros/month (free in some cities)
• Private kindergarten: from 1000 euros/month
• School with meals: from 140 euros/month

Also:

• Travel ticket: 49 EUR/month (should increase in a few months to 59 EUR)
• Liability insurance: 5 euros/month
• Medical insurance: 170 euros/month
• Mobile communication: 10-50 euros/month
• Internet – 40+ euros/month

For a comfortable stay in Germany, the recommended monthly income is:

• One person: 1500-2000 euros
• A family of two: 2,500-3,000 euros
• Family with children: from 3,500 euros

One must understand that life is, of course, cheaper in towns and villages. A two-room apartment can be found for 250 euros per month, utility costs for the same period will be approximately 100 euros. However, is there a job in every small remote town that can pay your monthly losses plus or minus 1,500 euros per family?