Harz 4 I think adds up to about 800 or 900 euros per month with all benefits combined, which is a lot less than 3000. Our rent is 490 euros net per month (in B

Harz 4 I think adds up to about 800 or 900 euros per month with all benefits combined, which is a lot less than 3000. Our rent is 490 euros net per month (in Berlin) for a 1BR apartment but we're looking for a 2BR at the moment so our kid can have his own bedroom. This will probably end up costing about 800 eur/m net (not a central or hip location, but close to transit). Also, while Germany has high income taxes it has lots of tax relief for being married and having kids. I think we ended up paying maybe 15% income tax last year (1 kid, wife earning minimally). Plus lots of subsidies for childcare & education (in Berlin even more than in other places in Germany). You can definitely easily support a family of 3 or 4 with a single wage in that range.