Groceries and restaurants in Germany are unremarkable by North American standards. What decides an over-55 newcomer's budget is health insurance — often more than rent. We lead with it because pretending otherwise would be lying to you.
Last verified: 8 July 2026If you arrive after your 55th birthday, Germany's public health system (GKV) is generally closed to you, and private cover (PKV) at 60 runs roughly €700–1,200+ per person per month — market estimates, since no official price statistics exist. For a couple, that's €1,500–2,400/month before you've rented anything or bought a single bratwurst. It is the single number that decides whether Germany fits your budget. The full over-55 insurance guide →
Indicative figures for a couple in a mid-size city (not Munich), excluding rent. Rent varies too much by city to average honestly — see the contract-rent table in Housing.
| Item | Monthly (couple) |
|---|---|
| Private health insurance (arriving 60+) | €1,500–2,400 (market estimate) |
| Groceries | €450–650 |
| Electricity (3,500 kWh/yr household) | ~€116 (BDEW 2025) |
| Heating & building costs | usually inside "Warmmiete" — 20–30% on top of cold rent |
| Broadcast fee | €18.36 (fixed, per household) |
| Broadband + 2 mobiles | €50–80 (indicative) |
| Transit passes (2 × Deutschlandticket-class) | ~€120 (indicative) |
| Eating out, culture, misc. | €400–700 |
Total excluding rent, with private health cover: roughly €2,500–3,500/month for a couple — call it $2,850–4,000 at €1 ≈ $1.14. A couple young enough (or lucky enough) to be in GKV instead pays considerably less. All figures indicative; your insurance quote is the variable that matters.
German inflation averaged 2.2% in 2025 and is running at a similar pace in 2026 (June estimate +2.3%). Electricity is expensive by North American standards — about 39.6 cents/kWh versus a US average around 17 cents — but German homes are efficient and nobody runs central air conditioning. The mandatory broadcast fee (€18.36/month per household, collected regardless of whether you own a TV) is the classic newcomer surprise; a court ruling on a rise to €18.94 is expected mid-2026.
One couple's shopping basket, rent and insurance priced in Germany's dearest and best-value big cities.
Nebenkosten, the annual reconciliation bill, switching electricity providers, and heating costs by building age.
Real monthly statements from expat households in Germany, published with permission.
Moving retirement savings across the Atlantic badly can cost thousands in fees and bad rates. We'll match you with a currency and banking specialist we've independently checked.