Archive · 19 Sep 2026
Indian Expat Warns Germany Salary May Not Mean Savings
Tanuj says that a big salary in Germany may look smaller after expenses.
He says taxes can take about 40% of the pay.
Rent in large cities can cost more than €1,500.
Electricity, internet, insurance and food can also be expensive.
This means people may save less than they expect.
Tanuj used purchasing power parity to compare the salary with life in India.
Some people agreed that salary conversion alone is misleading.
Others said moving abroad can be worthwhile for career opportunities and other reasons, not just savings.
Tanuj, who says he lived in Germany for six years, warned Indians that a €70,000 salary may not produce large savings.
He said taxes can consume about 40% of earnings, while rent in major cities may exceed €1,500 monthly.
He also cited expensive electricity, internet, insurance, dining out and additional service charges.
Using purchasing power parity, Tanuj estimated that €70,000 in Germany feels closer to ₹32–35 lakh in India.
Responses were mixed, with some agreeing about living costs and others saying overseas careers offer benefits beyond money.
- Who
- Tanuj, an Indian man who says he lived in Germany for six years, and people considering moving abroad.
- What
- He shared a warning that a €70,000 German salary may translate into limited savings after taxes and living costs.
- When
- Recently, according to the article.
- Where
- Germany, with comparisons to India and broader Europe.
- Why
- To caution people that taxes, rent, insurance and daily expenses can substantially reduce the value of a foreign salary.
Financial Caution
Broader Benefits
Value of the salary
Financial Caution
Tanuj and supporters said taxes, rent and everyday costs mean that converting €70,000 directly into Indian rupees gives a misleading impression of savings.
Broader Benefits
Other commenters said salary is not the only reason to move abroad and that a respected company or career opportunity may justify compromises.
Moving to Germany
Financial Caution
The warning urged people with well-paid jobs in India to think carefully before relocating so they do not regret the decision.
Broader Benefits
Some users viewed overseas moves as worthwhile for nonfinancial reasons, including professional experience and the value of working for a good company.
Job prospects and language
Financial Caution
One commenter claimed Germany has few jobs for English speakers and said advanced German may be needed for many opportunities.
Broader Benefits
The same discussion identified nursing, commercial truck driving, carpentry and Ausbildung-related paths as fields available to people who meet language requirements.
- Salary discussed
- €70,000, described in the article as approximately ₹65–70 lakh after conversion and also referred to as about ₹77 lakh.
- Reported tax burden
- Tanuj said around 40% of the salary can go toward taxes.
- Major-city rent
- Rent can cost more than €1,500, according to Tanuj.
- Purchasing-power comparison
- Tanuj said €70,000 in Germany feels closer to approximately ₹32–35 lakh in India after PPP adjustment.
- Other expenses
- He cited electricity, internet, insurance, eating out and service charges as costly items.
- Public reaction
- Responses were mixed, with some users agreeing and others emphasizing career and lifestyle considerations.
- Language discussion
- One commenter said English-speaking jobs are limited and that some fields require German-language proficiency.