Enter your average income below to estimate applicable free-cash in all major European cities. By free-cash we mean your disposable income, left in your pocket after paying tax, rent, insurance, public transport, food expenses and basic entertainment. How does it work?

average income is
$ 1200

per

Your estimated

Best value All models

City

free-cash

Berlin , Germany

$320

$420

$343

$201

S + D Salary + Dividends

Salary + Dividends. A combination of a fixed monthly income with a bonus at the end of the year.

Dividends

Dividends. A single payment made annually out of accumulated profits.

Salary

Salary. A fixed monthly income you pay yourself to cover your living expenses.

Sole trader

Sole trader. You're running your business as an individual with an unlimited responsibility

Sole trader

Pension contribution is not mandatory for self-employed except for writers, artists and musicians who should pay standard rates to Künstlersozialkasse.

1 200

trade

100

health

Our model is based on the assumption that an owner of the company is either a director or registered self-employed, so all social security contributions are not mandatory.

However, you would need to purchase private health insurance. We took an average price of €3600 per annum per person.

income

Personal income is calculated on a progressive scale(from 14% to 42%), and is fixed at 45%. The tax percentage is unique and will depend on your income.

273

surtax

Solidarity surcharge is an additional fee on income tax, capital gains tax and corporate tax. It is justified by the cost of German reunification.

total

462

Employee

Pension contribution is not mandatory for self-employed except for writers, artists and musicians who should pay standard rates to Künstlersozialkasse.

539

1 200

surtax

Solidarity surcharge is an additional fee on income tax, capital gains tax and corporate tax. It is justified by the cost of German reunification.

income

Personal income is calculated on a progressive scale(from 14% to 42%), and is fixed at 45%. The tax percentage is unique and will depend on your income.

273

health

Our model is based on the assumption that an owner of the company is either a director or registered self-employed, so all social security contributions are not mandatory.

However, you would need to purchase private health insurance. We took an average price of €3600 per annum per person.

total

120

362

Employer

total

Corporate

661

1 200

trade

172

surtax

Solidarity surcharge is an additional fee on income tax, capital gains tax and corporate tax. It is justified by the cost of German reunification.

income

180

chamber of commerce

total

202

365

Dividends

459

834

surtax

Solidarity surcharge is an additional fee on income tax, capital gains tax and corporate tax. It is justified by the cost of German reunification.

withholding

111

205

total

117

216

Income

1 200

Total tax

439

581

362

462

After tax

761

619

838

738

Living cost

418

Free-cash

343

201

420

320

Estimated living cost is $418 per week

$289

Rent. One bedroom at downtown or an upmarket area with basic utilities which include internet connection and a mobile phone.

$45

Public transport and taxi. Monthly travel card, and a few taxi rides per week.

Clothing and shoes. We estimate one pair of shoes and trainers, and several items of clothing each year, or slightly more often if you choose cheaper mass market stores. Twice as often for kids.

$79

Food and entertainment. We estimate that you will have breakfast at a cafe once a week, evening meal at a restaurant once a week, and visit bars once a week for drinks.Other days you prepare meals at home.

I'm drinking at home rarely or never.

I do not smoke or smoke very rarely.

Adjust living cost Show details Source

Additional information

Nationals of Europe, Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand and the USA do not require an entry type D visa (not to confuse with a Schengen visa or a visa-free entry). For other nationals, waiting time is around 6-9 months which includes document preparation and processing.