April 17, 2026
Your First Apartment: What It Really Costs and How to Budget
Moving into your first apartment brings more costs than just the monthly rent. Knowing what's coming lets you save deliberately and avoid a cash crunch in the first few months.
The one-time costs before you move in
Before you get the keys, several one-off costs come due:
**Deposit (Kaution)**: under Section 551 BGB, the deposit can't exceed three times the net Kaltmiete (excluding Nebenkosten), and you're entitled to pay it in up to three monthly installments.
**First month's rent**, usually due in advance.
**Moving costs**, depending on distance and whether you hire a moving company.
**Basic furnishings**: a bed, kitchen appliances, essential furniture.
If you don't plan for these, it's easy to be caught off guard by how many months' worth of rent the move alone requires as starting capital, before the first ongoing rent payment is even due.
The ongoing monthly costs
Beyond the Kaltmiete, your monthly burden includes the Nebenkosten prepayment. According to the German Tenants' Association's latest operating-cost survey, these costs averaged €2.67 per square meter per month nationwide in 2024. For a 40-square-meter apartment, a typical size for a first place, that's roughly €107 a month on top of the Kaltmiete.
As a rough guide for your overall housing budget, the 30% rule applies: your Warmmiete shouldn't exceed 30% of your monthly net income. According to the Federal Statistical Office, housing including energy already made up an average of 36.3% of German households' total consumption spending in 2024, a sign that the 30% mark is more of a target than a guaranteed ceiling for many households.
A worked example for a first apartment
With a Kaltmiete of €500 and 40 square meters of living space:
Estimate Nebenkosten: 40 m² × €2.67 = roughly €107.
Calculate Warmmiete: €500 + €107 = €607.
Calculate the deposit: at most €1,500 (three times the Kaltmiete), payable in up to three installments.
Starting capital before move-in: first month's rent (€607) plus the first deposit installment (up to €500) plus moving costs.
What people tend to underestimate
Many first-time renters budget for the Kaltmiete but forget the Nebenkosten prepayment, the deposit, and basic furnishing costs as separate expenses landing at the same time. A realistic budget deliberately separates one-time costs before move-in from the ongoing monthly costs afterward, rather than blending both into a single number. Our Warmmiete calculator can help if a listing doesn't state Nebenkosten explicitly, and our rent affordability guide covers the proof-of-income documents landlords typically ask for.
Frequently Asked Questions
How high can the deposit be for a first apartment?
Under Section 551 BGB, at most three times the net Kaltmiete, payable in up to three monthly installments.
How much should I budget for Nebenkosten?
As a nationwide benchmark, the Tenants' Association's operating-cost survey puts it at €2.67 per square meter per month for 2024.
Does the deposit count toward monthly costs?
No, the deposit is a one-time security payment made before move-in, not an ongoing monthly expense.
How do I calculate whether I can afford a first apartment?
Divide the Warmmiete (Kaltmiete plus Nebenkosten) by your monthly net income. If the result is around 30% or less, the rent is broadly considered affordable. Our 30% rule guide explains the reasoning behind that benchmark.
