Your all-in-one guide to cost of living in Germany
Are you dreaming of a life where goth castles dot the horizon, efficiency is a way of life, and sausages are an art form? If so, you might be considering the idea of making Germany your new home. Germany has emerged as a popular choice for South Africans due to its immigration policy, job opportunities and reputation of being a safe and welcoming society. But before you pack your bags and brush up on your German, take some time to think.
While a move to a new country sounds exciting there are a lot of factors South Africans need to consider, the first being – how is money being managed? Well fortunately for you, Wise has you covered.
Wise is a bank alternative for international money transfers that uses the mid-market exchange rate¹. In this article we breakdown the cost of living in Germany to help you prepare for a move to a country that loves rules as much as it does football.
How expensive is Germany in comparison to South Africa?
Germany has been a popular destination for migrants from all over the world due to its cutting-edge research, industry, and overall reputation as a world leading economy. The cost of living in Germany is much higher than South Africa, but so are the salaries and quality of life. So, let’s deep dive into the different costs that you’ll need to consider before making a move to Deutschland.
The currency in Germany
The Euro (EUR) is the official currency of the country and the entire European Union. This ensures hassle free travel between member states as you don’t need to exchange currencies for the trip. The Euro is one of the most powerful currencies in the world and is valued significantly higher than the Rand. You can check the latest Euro to Rand rate here using our free online currency converter.
Sending money from Germany to South Africa can be tricky business with varying exchange rates between banks and other forex agencies. So how do you ensure you get the best possible exchange rate?
Send money from Germany to South Africa using the mid-market exchange rate
As a bank alternative, Wise can help South African expats living in Germany save money¹ when making international payments to South Africa.
The mid-market exchange rate is the rate that banks use to transfer money between them. Find out what you would pay for an international money transfer with Wise:
While some German banks support international payments, they usually add a markup on top of the mid-market exchange rate for this transaction that customers end up paying.
Wise uses the mid-market rate for international payments and only applies a small transparent fee to make an international payment¹.
This means that with Wise, South African expats could save money¹ when making overseas transactions from Germany.
Cost of living in Germany vs. South Africa
Being one of the most developed nations in the world and a top spot for migrants, the cost of living in Germany largely depends on the city you move to. Consumer prices are 85.4% higher in Germany when compared to South Africa. Rents on the other hand are 93.9% higher5. The largest city Berlin is ranked 37th on most expensive cities across the globe while Munich ranked 38th 16. Let’s take a look at how much things like rent, transport, groceries would cost you in major cities like Berlin, Munich, and Dusseldorf.
Rental costs in Germany
Rents in Germany vary according to region and are relatively higher in big cities. Berlin, the country’s biggest city, is known to be the cheapest capital city in all of Western Europe. It, however, is still very expensive with the rental average being around €1750 for an apartment14. Cities like Dusseldorf, Manheim, and many more are a much more affordable alternative to the capital.
The tables below breakdown rents for a single person and a family in the city centre and outside it.
Average monthly rent in Berlin
| Rental for | Average monthly rent in Berlin6 |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment (in the city centre) | €1,322.07 (R26,634.30) |
| 1-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre) | €933.98 (R18,815.80) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (in the city centre) | €2,469.52 (R49,750.53) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre) | €1,745.56 (R35,165.73) |
Average monthly rent in Munich
| Rental for | Average monthly rent in Munich7 |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment (in the city centre) | €1,399.93 € (R28,202.90) |
| 1-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre) | €1,126.59 € (R22,696.10) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (in the city centre) | €2,494.74 (R50,258.64) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre) | €1,906.86 (R38,415.29) |
Average monthly rent in Dusseldorf
| Rental for | Average monthly rent in Dusseldorf8 |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment (in the city centre) | €848.46 (R17,092.99) |
| 1-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre) | €819.62 (R16,511.86) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (in the city centre) | €1,840.77 (R37,083.89) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre) | €1,434.00 (R28,889.18) |
Cost of groceries in Germany
Germany grocery chains are extremely popular in all of Europe. The country has several chains of grocery stores where South Africans can shop for a variety of everyday items. These include Aldi and Lidl for a budget shop, and Rewe and Edeka for a premium experience. Listed below are the average prices of everyday items in different cities.
Average grocery costs in Berlin
| Basic groceries | Average cost in Berlin6 |
|---|---|
| Bread | €1.94 (R39.13) |
| Milk | €1.20 (R24.20) |
| Eggs | €3.32 (R66.94) |
| Cheese | €12.79 (R257.66) |
| Chicken fillets (1kg) | €13.02 (R262.32) |
| Bottle of wine (mid-range) | €5.50 (R110.70) |
Average grocery costs in Munich
| Basic groceries | Average cost in Munich7 |
|---|---|
| Bread | €2.27 (R45.65) |
| Milk | €1.24 (R24.95) |
| Eggs | €3.17 (R63.86) |
| Cheese | €13.60 (R273.90) |
| Chicken fillets (1kg) | €12.50 (R251.87) |
| Bottle of wine (mid-range) | €5.00 (R100.73) |
Average grocery costs in Dusseldorf
| Basic groceries | Average cost in Dusseldorf8 |
|---|---|
| Bread | €2.16 (R43.59) |
| Milk | €1.19 (R23.96) |
| Eggs | €3.68 (R74.11) |
| Cheese | €15.59 (R314.07) |
| Chicken fillets (1kg) | €16.75 (R337.44) |
| Bottle of wine (mid-range) | €5.50 (R110.80) |
Transport costs in Germany
Despite being known for the cars they make and the famed autobahns, Germany also has an excellent public transport system. It allows residents and visitors to travel around the country without breaking the bank. The Deutschland ticket for just €49 a month covers monthly travel on all public transport and is valid all across the country. The ticket also covers inter-city travel which means you can travel all over the country for just €49 a month!
| Ticket type | Cost |
|---|---|
| 1-way ticket in Berlin6 | €3.20 (R64.47) |
| Monthly transport pass in Berlin6 | €49.00 (R987.15) |
| 1-way ticket in Munich7 | €3.70 (R74.54) |
| Monthly transport pass in Munich7 | €49.00 (R987.15) |
| 1-way ticket in Dusseldorf8 | €3.10 (R62.45) |
| Monthly transport pass in Dusseldorf8 | €49.00 (R987.15) |
Eating out in Germany
The country is home to people from all over the globe and offers diverse culinary options. The German doner kebab is a staple among populations in major cities.
Average meal costs in Berlin
| Category | Berlin6 |
|---|---|
| Meal, inexpensive restaurant | €12.00 (R241.75) |
| Meal for 2 people, mid-range Restaurant, three-course | €65.00 (R1,309.48) |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or equivalent combo meal) | €10.00 (R201.46) |
| Cappuccino (regular) | €3.50 (R70.46) |
Average meal costs in Munich
| Category | Munich7 |
|---|---|
| Meal, inexpensive restaurant | €15.00 (R302.19) |
| Meal for 2 people, mid-range Restaurant, three-course | €70.00 (R1,410.21) |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or equivalent combo meal) | €10.00 (R201.46) |
| Cappuccino (regular) | €3.71 (R74.66) |
Average meal costs in Dusseldorf
| Category | Dusseldorf8 |
|---|---|
| Meal, inexpensive restaurant | €15.00 (R302.19) |
| Meal for 2 people, mid-range Restaurant, three-course | €77.50 (R1,561.30) |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or equivalent combo meal) | €9.50 (R191.39) |
| Cappuccino (regular) | €3.46 (R69.74) |
Study costs in Germany
Germany is a very popular destination for international students due to its public education system, making it much more affordable than countries like the UK and USA. With more than 380,000 international students studying here, the country is an exciting choice for South Africans planning to move abroad for studies. The country is home to more than 380 institutions and is also known as the land of poets and thinkers. 3 institutions from Germany featured in the top 100 of the QS World University Rankings 2023 – Technical University of Munich (49), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (59), and the University of Heidelberg (65). Several courses are taught in English, and it is very popular for scientific and business studies12. It is, however, recommended you learn basic German to ensure settling in easily.
Most universities in the country are publically funded and free to attend, they only charge students €300 as basic administrative fees. However, universities in Baden-Wuerttemberg (a state in Germany) charge international students (non-EU) a fee of €1,500 per semester. Opting for a private university would mean you could end up shelling out €30,000 for the year12.
Undergraduate courses in the country are typically 3-years long, while Master’s degrees last 2-years. Getting a PhD can take between 3 to 5 years. You can look websites such as DAAD to get more information on studying in Germany12.
What is the average salary in Germany?
Germany is a great place to be for individuals looking to grow their careers. It is the fourth largest economy in the world and the largest in Europe. It offers exciting career opportunities to freshers as well as seasoned professionals looking for a change. We’ve put together a list of some common professions and their pay in major cities to help you understand how much you could make if you move there:
Average salary in Berlin
| Designation | Average salary in Berlin9 |
|---|---|
| Attorney | $55,639 |
| Physician | $42,774 |
| Project Manager | $42,709 |
| UX Designer | $42,768 |
| Accountant | $28,511 |
| Data Analyst | $46,300 |
| Content Marketer | $26,099 |
| Nurse | $26,813 |
| Teacher | $31,435 |
*Salaries in USD$
Average salary in Munich
| Designation | Average salary in Munich10 |
|---|---|
| Attorney | $68,911 |
| Physician | $47,780 |
| Project Manager | $63,292 |
| UX Designer | $48,877 |
| Accountant | $42,590 |
| Data Analyst | $49,446 |
| Content Marketer | $37,043 |
| Nurse | $26,813 |
| Teacher | $41,670 |
*Salaries in USD$
Average salary in Dusseldorf
| Designation | Average salary in Dusseldorf11 |
|---|---|
| Attorney | $47,982 |
| Physician | $50,055 |
| Project Manager | $43,224 |
| UX Designer | $44,513 |
| Accountant | $38,367 |
| Data Analyst | $36,860 |
| Content Marketer | $39,008 |
| Nurse | $24,579 |
| Teacher | $40,208 |
*Salaries in USD$
What about healthcare costs in Germany?
Germany’s healthcare system is one of the best in the world and a universal public system. But it is also very complex. It is a legal requirement for everyone in Germany to have health insurance. Most of the German population uses public insurance for health coverage while a meagre 10% use a private cover.
The average cost of public health insurance is upto 14.6% of your income15. The system also covers a major portion of the costs for medically necessary dental care. German public health insurance is also valid across the EU which means you can get treated for free in any of the member states.
To be eligible for private insurance you must be earning more than €66,000 annually15.
While Germany's cost of living surpasses that of South Africa, the opportunities there are plenty. It is a great place to be if you’re looking for further studies, better job opportunities, or simply exploring your options. With above average salaries, great nightlife, and a highly disciplined lifestyle the country is a good mix of everything.
With Wise’s international money transfers⁴, there’s never been a better time to make the move you’ve been thinking about for so long!
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- Cost of living in Germany vs South Africa
- Cost of Living in Berlin
- Cost of Living in Munich
- Cost of Living in Dusseldorf
- Salaries in Berlin
- Salaries in Munich
- Salaries in Dusseldorf
- QS World University Ranking 2023
- Education in Germany
- Rent in Berlin
- Healthcare in Germany
- Cost of living in German cities
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