The Training Salary Is Not Enough to Live On — It Is
The Concern
"EUR 1,200 per month? That is not enough to live in Europe." We hear this constantly. And we understand why — if you have seen the price of a flat in Munich or the cost of dinner in Frankfurt, you might think Germany is impossibly expensive on a training salary.
But here is what most people get wrong: they compare Ausbildung salaries to the cost of living in Germany's most expensive cities. That is like judging Kenyan salaries based on Runda prices. The reality is much more manageable than you think, especially in smaller and medium-sized cities.
The Real Numbers: Monthly Budget Breakdown
Let us break down a typical month on an Ausbildung net salary of approximately EUR 1,000 (after taxes and insurance are deducted from about EUR 1,200 gross).
| Expense | Amount (EUR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (WG room) | 300–400 | Shared flat in a mid-sized city |
| Health insurance | Already deducted | Included in the gross-to-net calculation |
| Food and groceries | 150–200 | Cooking at home, occasional eating out |
| Transport | 49 | Deutschlandticket — unlimited public transport nationwide |
| Mobile phone | 10–15 | Prepaid plans from Aldi Talk, Lidl Connect |
| Internet (share) | 10–15 | Split with flatmates |
| Household supplies | 20–30 | Cleaning products, toiletries |
| Total essentials | 539–709 | |
| Remaining | 291–461 | For savings, entertainment, clothing |
Look at that remaining amount. Even in the worst case, you have nearly EUR 300 left over each month for savings, entertainment, clothing, and anything else. In the best case, you have over EUR 450.
That remaining money is yours. Save it. Send some home. Go out with friends. Buy winter clothes. It is not luxury, but it is comfortable.
The Deutschlandticket Changed Everything
One line item deserves special attention: the Deutschlandticket at EUR 49 per month. This gives you unlimited public transport across all of Germany — buses, trams, regional trains, U-Bahn, S-Bahn. You can commute to work, visit friends in other cities, and explore the country, all for EUR 49.
Before this ticket existed, transport alone could cost EUR 80–100 per month in a single city. The Deutschlandticket is a game-changer for anyone on a training salary.
Why Location Matters Enormously
Your Ausbildung salary goes much further in some cities than others. Here is a rough comparison of rent for a room in a shared flat (WG):
| City | Average WG Room (EUR/month) |
|---|---|
| Munich | 550–700 |
| Frankfurt | 450–600 |
| Hamburg | 400–500 |
| Berlin | 400–550 |
| Cologne | 350–450 |
| Leipzig | 250–350 |
| Dresden | 250–350 |
| Dortmund | 250–350 |
| Chemnitz | 200–280 |
See the difference? In Munich, rent eats half your salary. In Leipzig or Chemnitz, it is a quarter. This is why we always tell people: do not fixate on the biggest cities. Smaller cities offer the same quality of Ausbildung, the same qualifications, and much lower living costs.
Use our city comparison tool to research the cost of living in different German cities before you decide where to apply.
What You Are NOT Paying For
When you calculate your Ausbildung budget, remember all the things that are already covered and do not come out of your salary:
- Tuition fees: Ausbildung is free. Your employer pays for your training.
- Health insurance: Deducted before you see your net salary, so it is already accounted for.
- Work equipment: Your employer provides tools, uniforms, and materials.
- Pension contributions: Also deducted pre-net, building your future retirement.
In Kenya, if you wanted equivalent training, you would pay tuition, buy your own materials, and have no health insurance or pension. The Ausbildung salary is not just income — it is income with all major costs already handled.
Can You Send Money Home?
Yes. Many Kenyans on Ausbildung salaries send EUR 50–150 home each month, depending on their location and spending habits. It is not a huge amount, but it is consistent, and it adds up over time. After completing Ausbildung and moving into a full salary (EUR 2,500–3,500+), the amount you can send home increases significantly.
Services like Wise (formerly TransferWise), Remitly, and WorldRemit offer reasonable transfer fees from Germany to Kenya.
The Bottom Line
EUR 1,200 is not a fortune. Nobody is pretending it is. But it is enough to live comfortably, save a little, and not stress about basic needs. Millions of Ausbildung trainees in Germany — including many from abroad — live on this salary every day.
The key is choosing the right city, cooking at home, and being smart about spending. The training period is 2–3 years. After that, your salary jumps significantly.
Think of the Ausbildung salary not as your destination income, but as your launchpad. It covers your needs while you build the skills that will earn you much more.
Ready to see what your real numbers would look like? Try our salary calculator for a personalised breakdown. And check your readiness score to see if you are prepared to start.
The money works. Do the maths yourself.
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