NLVNet Life Value

Moving from
to

Complete relocation analysis: taxes, real prices, quality of life, and what salary to ask for.

The verdict

Cost of living is similar. Tax rate goes from 44.4% to 39.4%.

Moving to Germany? NLV varies by city.

Berlin65Munich62

Tax Comparison

At $75,000 USD equivalent gross salary

🇧🇪 Belgium

Gross€68,807
Income Tax-€21,586
Social-€8,993
Net€38,228
Effective Rate44.4%

🇩🇪 Germany

Gross€68,807
Income Tax-€12,766
Social-€14,322
Net€41,719
Effective Rate39.4%

Net difference: +$3,805/year in Germany.Full calculator →

What Things Actually Cost

Price Index: Belgium = 95, Germany = 93 (US = 100)

🍔

Big Mac

$5.30→$5.50
+4%
☕

Starbucks Tall Latte

$4.50→$4.70
+4%
🍺

Beer 500ml (bar)

$5.50→$5.00
-9%
📱

iPhone 16 128GB

$900.00→$900.00
0%
🎬

Netflix Standard (monthly)

$13.49→$13.49
0%
⛽

1L Gasoline (95)

$1.85→$1.80
-3%
🚇

Single Transit Ticket

$2.60→$3.00
+15%
🏠

Airbnb Studio (city center)

$95.00→$90.00
-5%
See all 30 products →

What Salary to Ask For

If you earn €68,807 gross in Belgium ($75,000USD), here's what you need in Germany depending on your goal:

Same net income (tax only)

€62,880

You keep the same $41,669/yr net in both countries. Germany taxes 5.2% less.

Same purchasing power (recommended)

€61,556

Accounts for the fact that prices are similar in both countries. This is the number to negotiate.

Calculate with your exact salary →

Moving to Germany: Practicalities

Visa Openness

60/100

English Level

64/100

Expat Community

18.8%

Digital Nomad Visa

No

Frequently Asked Questions

How much tax do I save moving from Belgium to Germany?▾
The effective tax rate changes from 44.4% in Belgium to 39.4% in Germany. You keep about $3,805.23 more per year in Germany.
Is Germany cheaper to live in than Belgium?▾
Cost of living is similar between the two countries (within 5% across 30 products).
What salary do I need in Germany to match my lifestyle in Belgium?▾
Use our salary calculator to find the exact amount. It accounts for income tax, social contributions, and cost of living differences between Belgium and Germany. As a rule of thumb: a similar gross salary should maintain your lifestyle.
Is it worth moving from Belgium to Germany?▾
It depends on your priorities. Financially, Germany is clearly better: lower taxes and lower cost of living.

Related

Belgium vs Germany
Side-by-side comparison
Tax in Germany
Brackets & rates
Crypto Tax in Germany
Crypto gains by country
Cost of Living Germany
30 real prices
NLV in Germany
Net Life Value at $75K

Also Consider

🇧🇪 → 🇺🇸 United States🇧🇪 → 🇬🇧 United Kingdom🇧🇪 → 🇫🇷 France🇧🇪 → 🇪🇸 Spain🇧🇪 → 🇵🇹 Portugal🇧🇪 → 🇮🇹 Italy

Data last updated: · Sources: World Bank, WHO, OECD, national tax authorities. See methodology.