A man from Osijek claims that he pays 974 euros per month for an 88-square-meter apartment and utilities.

Danijel “Šemso” Grbić, a man from Osijek who has been living in Germany for nine years, recently launched a YouTube channel called “Šemso u Njemačkoj“, where he shares his experiences of living and working in that country with his followers. In one of his videos, Danijel revealed details about the cost of living in Germany.

Šemso lives with his family in an apartment of 88 square meters. The apartment also comes with a parking space, which he considers important because, he says, finding parking after work is a real difficulty, especially before the weekend.

“Everything depends on what floor you are on, how far you are from the center, whether you have a balcony, how old the building is, and where it is located. A hundred things play a role, so prices are not the same everywhere. Rents are generally higher in southern Germany because salaries are also higher there,” explains the likable man from Osijek, who claims that he pays 974 euros per month for the apartment and utilities, and when items such as internet, television, garbage collection, garage, and electricity are added, the figure comes to 1,211 euros.

“The main item is the apartment rent, which includes water and heating, and which we pay 974 euros per month for. With all the other costs, that means we pay more than 1,200 euros per month just for housing. I know that is terribly much. And where are the other expenses such as kindergarten, food, sports activities, health insurance, apartment insurance, car insurance,” Šemso wonders.

When housing prices in Germany are compared with average prices in the Balkans, it is clear, Danijel claims, that significantly greater funds are needed in Germany. There are also rules in Germany that differ from those in the countries of the former Yugoslavia, which can be challenging for people at first.

“In Germany, you are required to pay a television license fee whether you have a television or not, and approximately 50 euros is paid every three months,” he gives as one example. “That is about 17 euros per month. Everyone pays it, except in the case where you live with several people in one apartment. For example, if you live in an apartment with other workers, then only one fee is paid, and not by everyone,” he explains.

Under “housing costs,” besides the apartment itself, utilities, and the television license fee, Danijel also included garbage collection. He pays 70 euros per year for that. “Waste disposal is mandatory here and everything is monitored. If you do not do it and someone reports you, the fines are quite high,” he warns, after which he also mentioned paying for home internet. “We pay 39 euros for unlimited home internet,” he said. 

Danijel also pays for a parking space, namely 44 euros per month. “I think that of all investments, a garage is the most worthwhile thing. I do not regret a single cent,” he said.

Additionally, he pays for electricity, a high 130 euros. “Electricity for households is very expensive here. When my wife and I lived alone, it was 55 euros and there were no extra surcharges. However, as the apartment size and the number of people in it increase, the costs also increase. Also, electricity has become much more expensive this year,” he adds.

Source: poslovni.hr