TOOL
Cost of Your First Month in Germany: Move-in Calculator
Deposit, first rent, internet, insurance, groceries — calculate your one-off move-in costs and your ongoing monthly budget. Every estimate is editable.
One-off at move-in
- Deposit (Kaution, max. 3 cold rents)
- —
- First month’s rent (warm)
- —
- Furniture and appliances
- —
- Internet setup
- —
- Anmeldung (address registration)
- free ✓
- Total to move in
- —
💡 Under § 551 BGB you may pay the deposit in three monthly instalments.
Prefer not to lock up the deposit? A guarantee replaces cash — it costs about 5% of the deposit per year and is never refunded: kautionsfrei.de ↗
Monthly budget from month 2
- Warm rent
- —
- Electricity
- —
- Internet
- —
- Rundfunkbeitrag (broadcasting fee)
- —
- Mobile plan
- —
- Liability insurance
- —
- Groceries and household
- —
- Total per month
- —
Fixed amounts — the deposit cap (§ 551 BGB) and the €18.36 broadcasting fee — are current for 2026. All other figures are average estimates; adjust them to your city and lifestyle. This is not financial advice.
✓ Data verified on: 16 July 2026
All rates and thresholds follow the official figures published by the authorities:
Save on your starter contracts
Three budget items where you choose the provider, not your landlord — comparing takes minutes:
Get liability insurance online in minutes (English support):
GetSafe ↗Some links may be affiliate links — the price does not change for you. No data is collected; everything runs in your browser.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum deposit a landlord can ask for?
No more than three months of cold rent — § 551 BGB. Anything higher is illegal. The deposit is kept in a separate account and returned with interest when you move out.
Can I pay the deposit in instalments?
Yes, it is your legal right: three equal monthly instalments, the first due at the start of the tenancy (§ 551 (2) BGB). The landlord cannot refuse.
How much does Anmeldung cost?
Nothing — registering your address at the Bürgeramt is free. You only need your passport and the landlord confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung). Deadline: 14 days after moving in.
Do I have to pay the broadcasting fee if I never watch TV?
Yes. Every household pays €18.36 per month regardless of devices. Exemptions exist only for recipients of certain social benefits. In a shared flat (WG) one person pays for the whole household.
What do Nebenkosten include — and what not?
Typically: heating, water, waste collection, building cleaning, elevator. Almost never included: electricity and internet — you sign those contracts yourself, and prices vary a lot.
Does the tenant pay the estate agent (Provision)?
For regular long-term rentals usually no: under the Bestellerprinzip, whoever hired the agent pays — normally the landlord. Charging tenants a commission for a standard rental is illegal.
Why get liability insurance if it is not mandatory?
It covers damage you accidentally cause to others — a water leak into the neighbour’s flat, a broken laptop. Claims in Germany easily reach five figures, while the insurance costs ~€5 per month — which is why nearly everyone has it.