If you aren't working (or not earning enough) you'd get 'Familienbeihilfe' [1] as a student (something like 600-700 euros a month) until you're 26 or no longer

If you aren't working (or not earning enough) you'd get 'Familienbeihilfe' [1] as a student (something like 600-700 euros a month) until you're 26 or no longer a student. That should cover the bulk of your expenses if you live frugally in Vienna (I lived for about 800-900 euros a month as student). Regarding getting fired - you don't seem to take unemployment benefits into account (~55% of your salary after taxes, probably the same or similar in Germany, state also pays your medical and social insurance in that case). This should also cover the bulk of your expenses - so the amount you need to save is a lot lower then you think. I'm not saying working as a programmer is your ticket to wealth and fame, but come on: you'll earn a significantly higher than average salary and you won't be promptly thrown to the wolves if you get fired. The Germanic countries have fairly extensive social safety nets and at the end I really don't think such a level of worrying (about financial security) is justified (btw you also pay less taxes if you have children). People earning far less than either of us raise families and buy homes here (and in much poorer countries) just fine. [1] http://www.help.gv.at/Content.Node/8/Seite.080712.html http://www.help.gv.at/Content.Node/8/Seite.080712.html