When I first came to Germany, I thought rent is the only thing I will pay. But then I got my first electricity bill and I was shocked. Nobody told me about Nebenkosten. That is extra costs.
I live in a small apartment in Leipzig, 45 square meters, one bedroom. I want to share with you exactly how much I pay every month for electricity and gas in 2026, so you can plan your budget.
First, you need to understand how Germany works. When you see apartment for rent, they write two prices: Kaltmiete and Warmmiete. Kaltmiete is cold rent, only the apartment. Warmmiete is warm rent, which includes heating and building costs, but usually NOT electricity and internet. This is confusing at first.
My apartment Kaltmiete is 550 euro. Warmmiete is 720 euro. That Warmmiete includes heating (gas) and building cleaning and water. But electricity I pay separate.
Let's talk about electricity first.
Electricity in Germany is called Strom. You need to make contract with company. I use http://e.ON, many people use Vattenfall or local Stadtwerke. When I started, I had to guess how much electricity I will use. I said 1500 kWh per year for one person. That is normal for one person with laptop, fridge, washing machine.
My monthly payment for electricity is 58 euro. Every month I pay 58 euro, even if I use less. At the end of the year, they check. If I used more, I pay extra. If I used less, they give me money back. Last year I used 1420 kWh, so they gave me back 45 euro. That was good.
But 58 euro is for one person who is careful. If you use heater with electricity, or you have electric cooker, it will be more. My friend lives in Berlin, same size apartment, but he pays 85 euro per month because he works from home and computer always on.
Second, gas. Gas is called Gas or Heizung. In my apartment, gas is for heating and hot water. In winter, you pay more because heating is on. In my Warmmiete, gas is included as 110 euro per month. But that is just estimate. At end of year, I got a paper called Nebenkostenabrechnung. That paper says how much gas building used. Last winter was very cold, so I had to pay extra 240 euro for the whole year. That means extra 20 euro per month. So real gas cost for me is around 130 euro per month in 2025-2026.
If your apartment has electric heating, then gas is zero but electricity will be very high, like 120 euro per month.
Third, other small bills that people forget:
Water: In my Warmmiete, water is included, around 30 euro per month. But some apartments charge separate.
Internet: I pay 35 euro per month for Vodafone 100 Mbps. You need internet contract for 2 years usually.
Radio tax: This is weird but in Germany you must pay 18.36 euro per month for TV and radio, even if you don't have TV. It is called Rundfunkbeitrag. Everyone pays. I pay it every 3 months, 55.08 euro.
Trash and building: Already in Warmmiete, but around 40 euro.
So let's calculate total for my small apartment in Leipzig:
Kaltmiete: 550 euro
Gas/Heating (part of Warmmiete): 110 euro
Water/building: 60 euro
Electricity: 58 euro
Internet: 35 euro
Radio tax: 18.36 euro
Total I pay every month: around 831 euro. Plus at end of year maybe extra 20 euro per month for heating.
In bigger cities it is more expensive. In Munich, same small apartment electricity can be 70 euro, gas 150 euro, and Kaltmiete 900 euro. Total maybe 1200 euro. In Berlin, total around 950 to 1100 euro for same size.
In small cities like Leipzig, Dresden, Essen, Dortmund, it is cheaper. That is why I chose Leipzig. My salary is 2100 euro net, so after rent and bills I still have around 1200 euro for food and saving. If I lived in Munich, I would have only 600 euro left. Big difference.
How to save money on electricity and gas:
1. Turn off heating when you go out. I do this. I put heating on 18 degrees when I am out, 21 when I am home.
2. Use LED lights. I changed all lights to LED, saved like 5 euro per month.
3. Don't use dryer for clothes. Hang clothes, it saves electricity.
4. Take short shower. Gas for hot water costs a lot.
5. Compare companies on http://Check24.de. This site compares electricity prices. I changed from 68 euro to 58 euro using it.
If you are coming from Egypt or any country outside Europe, prepare for this. Rent is not final price. Always ask "What is included in Warmmiete? How much is electricity extra? How much was Nebenkosten last year?" Landlord must tell you last year bill. If he doesn't, don't rent.
I learned this hard way. First month I thought 720 euro is all I pay. Then I got electricity contract 58 euro and radio tax 18 euro and internet 35 euro. So real was 831 euro. Now I know and I plan budget better.
If you have small apartment 40-50 square meters in Germany in 2026, expect to pay 800 to 950 euro total in cheap cities, and 1100 to 1300 euro in expensive cities like Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt.
I hope this helps you calculate your salary after rent.