Is €75,000 a Comfortable Salary in Germany?
If you’re considering relocating to Germany or already living here, one of the most important financial questions you’ll face is: What salary is truly enough to live comfortably?
For many, €75,000 sounds like a solid income—but is it sufficient for a single person, a couple, or a family?
In this blog, I break down real net income expectations, Germany’s tax implications, and cost of living benchmarks—so you can determine what “comfortable” means for your life in Germany.
How Much of Your Salary Do You Actually Keep?
Germany operates with a progressive tax system and mandatory social security contributions. This means your gross salary (what your contract states) is not the same as your net salary (what actually lands in your bank account each month).
Before you start budgeting, it’s important to understand the deductions:
- Income tax
- Health insurance
- Pension contributions
- Unemployment and long-term care insurance
Net income varies based on marital status, tax class, and whether you have children. That’s why I’ve calculated net income scenarios across three common household types.
What Does a Comfortable Life Look Like for a Single Person?
🧾 Estimated baseline cost: €1,500 net/month
💼 Required gross salary: ~€30,000/year
A single person renting a one-bedroom apartment and living modestly can expect to spend around €1,500/month on essentials—this includes housing, food, transport, health insurance, and some discretionary spending.
If you aim for more flexibility or leisure:
- €2,500 net/month → ~€46,000 gross/year
- €3,500 net/month → ~€70,000 gross/year
- €4,500 net/month → ~€93,000 gross/year
💡 Fields like IT, engineering, and marketing tend to reach these income levels more easily than sectors like tourism or customer service.
What Salary Supports a Married Couple on One Income?
👫 Estimated baseline cost: €2,500 net/month
💼 Required gross salary: ~€40,000/year (Tax Class III)
In many relocating couples, one partner finds employment first. Fortunately, Germany’s tax system offers benefits to married couples where only one person earns. With Tax Class III, net take-home pay is significantly higher than for single earners.
Lifestyle upgrades:
- €3,500 net/month → ~€60,000 gross/year
- €4,500 net/month → ~€80,000 gross/year
- €5,500 net/month → ~€90,000+ gross/year
📝 Note: If both partners are employed, tax classes adjust accordingly. You can use combined single benchmarks to estimate your total household income.
How Much Does a Family of Four Need?
👨👩👧👦 Estimated baseline cost: €3,500–€4,000 net/month
💼 Required gross salary: ~€60,000/year (Tax Class III) + Kindergeld
Raising children in Germany comes with financial support—most notably, Kindergeld, which offers €255/month per child. For a family with two children, that’s an additional €510/month.
To achieve a higher level of financial security:
- €5,000 net/month → ~€79,000 gross/year + Kindergeld
- €6,000 net/month → ~€98,000 gross/year + Kindergeld
- €7,000 net/month → ~€116,000+ gross/year + Kindergeld
📍 These estimates are based on a single income. In the long term, most families aim for two earners to ease financial pressure.
Are There Other Important Costs to Consider?
One often overlooked expense is childcare (Kita). While some cities and federal states offer free or low-cost options, others may charge fees depending on your income and the number of hours your child attends.
Germany typically uses institutional childcare such as Kitas or Tagesmütter (day mothers) rather than in-home private nannies, which are rare and expensive.
How Can You Plan for Financial Comfort in Germany?
“Comfortable” doesn’t mean the same thing to everyone. Some may prioritize saving and investing, while others value frequent travel or premium living. What matters most is clarity—understanding how much net income you’ll need to meet your lifestyle goals.
💼 At ETAINFI, we’ve developed a comprehensive German Handbook for you, which you download for free.
Summarizing: Make Informed Financial Decisions
Relocating to a new country is exciting—but financial uncertainty can make it stressful. By breaking down gross vs. net salary, real-world costs, and government benefits, you can plan ahead with confidence.
Regardless if you’re coming to Germany as a solo professional, with a partner, or with your whole family, one thing is clear: a comfortable life is within reach—with the right strategy, tools, and support.
