A young woman stands in her first apartment of her own, with boxes behind her
Finance & Law
16.06.2026 Sabrina Ludwig 19587

How much will my first apartment cost?

Finally moving into your first apartment! But this newfound freedom comes with financial challenges. As an apprentice or student, your bank account usually isn’t exactly overflowing. To make sure your dream of having a place of your own doesn’t turn into a financial nightmare, we’ve put together a list of all the important costs and money-saving tips for you.​​​​​​​

​​​​​​​Text: Stephanie Bartsch, Karin Lohse, Income and Budget Counseling

You can find out here:

What do I need to keep in mind before moving out of or into my first apartment?

Before you start looking for your first apartment, here are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Build up a financial cushion: If possible, stay at home for another half year and set aside money specifically for this purpose. That way, you’ll start out with a cushion to cover your security deposit and initial furniture purchases.
  • Household Check: Learn from your parents how to manage expenses and run a household. That’s the best way to prepare for real life.​​​​​​​

What should I look for in a lease agreement?

The first rule of thumb is: Don't sign anything you don't understand! Lease agreements often contain complex clauses. You can also ask the landlord if you can take the lease home with you for a day.

Check whether the rental agreement contains the following important information:

  • Are all ancillary costs listed?
  • Is the amount of the deposit noted?
  • Have all the tenants' names been entered?
  • Is there a written handover protocol?
  • How long is the notice period?

Base Rent vs. All-Inclusive Rent

The base rent is just the starting point. Add a flat rate of about 2 euros per square meter for utilities (electricity, heat, water, trash collection) on top of that.

Security deposit

The landlord may require a security deposit of up to three months' rent (excluding utilities) . If everything goes smoothly when you move out, you'll get your money back.

Handover Report

Make a written note of every crack in the sink and every scratch on the hardwood floor so you won't be held liable for them when you move out.

Notice Period

This is usually three months— be sure to factor that into your future plans. Also important: The three-month notice period applies to your landlord as well.

 

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First Apartment: Where Can I Find Financial Assistance?

Vocational Training Grant (BAB)

Apprentices can apply for vocational training assistance (BAB). You can find an overview here at Sparkasse: Financial Support for Apprentices

BAföG

If you're a college student, you can apply for BAföG. Information about BAföG: Apply for BAföG online

Grant to Help Students Get Started

If you are starting your first degree program and are under 25 years of age, you can receivea one-time “Studienstarthilfe” grant of 1,000 eurosfrom the BAföG office.

  • Requirement: In the month before you began your studies, you received certain social benefits (e.g., Bürgergeld, housing allowance, or child supplement).
  • Application: Digital applications only via the BAföG Digital portal.

Am I eligible for housing assistance?

You must apply for housing benefit at the housing benefit office of the municipality in which your home is located.

As an apprentice , however, you’ll usually only receive housing assistance in exceptional cases (e.g., if you’re pursuing a second apprenticeship or a profession not recognized by the state, such as a yoga instructor or typesetter).

In addition, you must be of legal age and provide proof that you are responsible for covering the costs of the apartment on your own.

You can find everything you need to know about housing assistance in this article: How do I apply for housing assistance?

Where can I apply for rent assistance as an apprentice?

The good news is: Under certain conditions, as an apprentice, you can apply to the local government office for additional rent subsidies, especially if you're under 25 and can no longer live with your parents (e.g., because of the distance to your training site).

Rent Assistance Checklist:

  • You are receiving BAB or BAB has been rejected because your income is too high.
  • The BAB rent allowance does not cover your heating and rent costs.
  • You no longer live at home.
  • Before you moved out of your parents' home, you applied for a rent subsidy from the office responsible for ALG II and received permission to move out.
  • Your apartment is reasonable in terms of size and price. Otherwise, you will only receive the rent subsidy that corresponds to a reasonable apartment.

When will I receive a housing allowance?

If you are under 25 years old and no longer live with your parents, you may be eligible for a housing allowance only if it would be unreasonable for you to move back in with them.

This applies, for example, if your place of training is far away or if there are serious social reasons justifying your move.
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The "Hidden" Fixed Costs

In addition to rent, there are costs that many people underestimate:

  • Electricity & Internet: Look specifically for bundled plans, but pay attention to the contract terms (often 24 months).
  • Broadcasting License Fee (GEZ): It amounts to 18.36 euros per household. Important: If you receive BAföG or BAB, you can apply for an exemption! In a shared apartment, only one person has to pay—if everyone is exempt, no one pays.
  • Insurance: Personal liability insurance is a must. Check to see if you're still covered under your parents' family insurance policy.
  • Transportation: Don't forget the cost of the monthly pass or your car.

Application for exemption from the broadcasting fee

Other costs you should expect

In addition to rental costs, there are other costs that you should take into account in your financial planning.

For example for:

  • Furniture, home furnishings, and items such as pans, towels, glasses, and hair dryers
  • Internet and cell phone costs
  • Costs for groceries and other items such as contact lenses, clothing, and haircuts

To get a good overview of what’s known as the cost of living—the additional monthly expenses on top of rent and other costs—it’s a good idea to keep some kind of household budget .

Furnishing Your First Apartment in a Sustainable and Affordable Way

Your first apartment doesn't have to be a catalog home.

  • Secondhand: You can find affordable furniture and kitchenware (pans, glasses, etc.) on kleinanzeigen.de, at flea markets, or in thrift stores. With a little creativity, you can even give bulky trash items a sustainable new lease on life.
  • Set priorities: Think carefully about what you need right away and what can wait.

Keep an eye on costs with a budget book

To avoid ending up in the red at the end of the month, a household budget book is essential—whether it’s the traditional paper version or an app (e.g., “Mein Haushaltsbuch” or “Moneon Haushaltsbuch”).

If you track your spending on groceries, leisure activities, and subscriptions, you'll automatically save money.

Bonus Tip for Filing Your Tax Return: Even if you're an apprentice or a student, it's worth filing a tax return. Travel expenses and work equipment (laptop, tablet) can often be claimed as tax deductions.

What do I need to keep in mind after moving?

As soon as you move, you must update your registration with the Residents' Registration Office () . You generally have two weeks to do so. If you forget, you risk a fine of up to 1,000 euros.

​​​​​​​Income and Budget Counseling

As a comprehensive EAP provider, pme Familienservice offers Familienservice in all situations—from psychosocial counseling and leadership development to income and budget counseling.

If you want to empower your employees in the long term, learn more here about the services offered by pme Familienservice how we can provide personalized support.
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EAP advice

 

 

zero Health day in a class of its own: this was Health Day 2022

Speaker Bastienne Neumann at the Health Day
Event
11.11.2022 Christin Müller 18790

That was Health Day 2022: a top-class health day

Six hours of program, 16 top speakers and 6,000 spectators - the Health Day is the brilliant conclusion to the 30th anniversary of the pme Familienservice.

Health for every taste

It's all in the mix: Entertaining and informative presentations by top speakers such as Frédéric Letzner, Dr. Matthias Manke, Gaby Köster and Michael "Curse" Kurth on the topics of physical health, mental health, mindfulness, nutrition and trends in health management offered a great and varied program for every health taste. 

Right on time at 2 p.m., pme CEO Alexa Ahmad and presenter Jessica Mina-Knopp welcomed the audience live from the pme Academy in Hamburg's Hafencity. What followed was a health day with new impulses, exciting specialist knowledge and great entertainment. 

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Frédéric Letzner: Health can also be sexy

Speaker and author for nutrition and health psychology Frédéric Letzner started with his presentation on the topic of "Health can also be sexy" and discussed the question of why so many people don't actually want to talk about health and what can be done about it. In his talk, Letzner, a nutritionist, author and speaker, provided interesting insights into our childhood conditioning and fears when it comes to healthy eating.

With his vivid plea against "superheroism" in the workplace, he shook the participants awake: "The most expensive employees are the superheroes, because they eventually run into the wall," said Letzner. According to him, the idea of efficiency is not compatible with health.

Where it is all about functioning, there is no time for healthy eating and good sleep. He presented the "4 Gs" as a means to a healthier life: patience, enjoyment, frugality, serenity: away from self-optimization and challenges, an end to multitasking, and instead an appreciation for yourself and your own priorities.


The opener: Frédéric Letzner goes full throttle.

Bastienne Neumann: The psyche also eats

Nutritionist Bastienne Ne umann followed in the footsteps of the previous speaker. Bastienne Neumann herself has experienced how food can become something that defines your existence.

As a former judoka, she has experienced it herself: in order to be successful in her sport, she had to gain and lose weight, and competition phases were characterized by sacrifice. When injury put an end to her sport, there was no stopping her. She compensated by eating and gained a total of 25 kilos. In order to understand what was behind this, she studied nutritional science.

However, the game changer, as she herself describes it, was nutritional psychology, i.e. the question of why we eat what we eat. In her presentation at the Health Day, she encouraged the participants to take a closer look: Why do we reach for a chocolate bar in stressful situations?

Why do we go to the canteen at lunchtime, even if we're not hungry? The answer: food is more than just nourishment, it is, for example, a source of comfort, a reward, gives us a break and allows us to interact with others. Unavoidable in stressful everyday life? No. In her talk, she presented a suitcase of resources that can take the place of food. 

"If hunger is not the problem, then food is not the solution." (Bastienne Neumann)

 


Bastienne Neumann in conversation with presenter Jessica Mina-Knopp.

"Revierdoc" Matthias Manke: When the orthopaedist has his back

In his lecture at the Pott, Revierdoc Dr. Matthias Manke explained how important exercise is for the body. "To move is to live" - that is the credo of "Revierdoc" Matthias Manke. "We lack the balance of movement in everyday life," says Manke. When you no longer have to leave the house to go shopping or meet people, you don't get enough exercise.

In practical terms, he addressed the most important problem areas for many people, such as the neck, which is often overstretched and cramped. Or the pelvic floor, which, contrary to popular belief, is not just something women have to worry about after giving birth. "Pelvic floor training is the solution for a stable core," said Manke. He enriched his entertaining lecture with live exercises, such as a simple exercise for a strong neck or a pelvic floor exercise that can easily be performed at work.

"We lack the balance of movement in everyday life." (Dr. Matthias Manke)


Revierdoc Dr. Mathias Manke is one of the best-known orthopaedic surgeons in Germany.

Trends in digital BGM - with Pia Grocholl and Michèle Penz

This was followed by a real premiere. Pia Grocholl and Michèle Penz, who head up the new "Health" pillar of pme Familienservice in a dual leadership role, presented the new BGM offering from pme Familienservice in a talk with presenter Jessica Mina-Knopp and explained where the journey in digital BGM is heading.

Health in companies is a huge trend, according to the health experts. With increasing workloads and a shortage of skilled workers, occupational health management offers many different starting points. In the talk, they presented the combination of relationship prevention and behavioral prevention on which the pme Health offerings are based. Looking at the framework conditions and structures is just as important as the question of what individuals can do to stay or become healthy.

The ideal approach is the blended approach: employees can flexibly acquire content via e-learning, podcasts or articles, while combined live interventions such as coaching sessions ensure the necessary commitment. An interesting insight that ended with the claim: Health should be fun!


Michèle Penz (left) and Pia Grocholl (center) talk to presenter Jessica Mina-Knopp about trends in digital BGM.

Trend talk: Gender in health management

Three talk guests, one goal: the following trend talk on the topic of diversity in occupational health management was intended to raise awareness of target groups that have so far been under the radar. Fee Reinoso, founder of Vision Period, wants to sensitize companies to the potential and resources that lie in the female menstrual cycle - an "asset for the economy", according to Reinoso. Until now, the needs of menstruating women have been completely ignored. She would like to see "mental awareness" from companies, i.e. acceptance and an infrastructure that caters to the needs of women.

Silke Burmester is convinced that the menopause is also an important "business case". The journalist and author wants to establish a new image of ageing. Burmester found that the menopause is primarily associated with a lack. Yet this time often offers underestimated potential. "There is a lot of power," says Burmester. Women often have more time during this phase because the children are getting older, they want to continue their careers and feel like working. With her online magazine "Palais Fluxx", she offers an information portal for women aged 47 and over who are going through intoxication, revolt and menopause.

Finally, Volker Baisch had the men in mind. He is an expert on the topic of work-life balance from a father's perspective and believes that the topic of men's health should be on the radar of companies. "Men talk less about their health or mental stress than women," says Volker Baisch. On the one hand, they need different offers, and on the other hand, the form and approach must be changed so that men feel addressed.


Silke Burmester (left), Volker Baisch (center) and Fee Reinoso (right) have a lively discussion about diversity in BGM.

Gaby Köster: My life after the stroke

Sometimes joy and sorrow lie close together. As in the case of Gaby Köster. In an interview with Jessica Mina-Knopp, the most famous woman in the German comedy landscape told us how she suffered a serious stroke at the height of her career - at the age of 46. She had to learn everything again: walking, speaking, driving, crying.

Even today, after almost 15 years, she is still affected by the consequences of the "stroke", as she calls it herself. At Health Day on November 8, 2022, Gaby Köster spoke about how she was knocked out by the stroke - and how she worked her way back into life and onto the stage bit by bit. What has helped her is her sense of humor: "I can still see the joke even in the biggest chaos," she says.

Even though her life today is different from before the stroke, she has regained many freedoms, such as traveling alone again. An inspiring contribution from one of Germany's most humorous women, which not only made for an exciting 30 minutes, but also for many light-hearted moments.


Comedy icon Gaby Köster brought a good atmosphere with her.

Diana Doko: Depression - Talking saves lives

Due to the high levels of absenteeism in companies, mental illness is an issue that must naturally be addressed at a Health Day. Diana Doko, founder of "Freunde fürs Leben e.V." and Benthe Untiedt, Managing Director of Shit Show - Agentur für psychische Gesundheit, will provide information about depression.

Diana Doko's motto is "Talking about depression saves lives!" The recipient of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany believes there is a lack of awareness campaigns on depression in Germany. She is therefore calling for mental illness to be put on the health policy agenda and for it to be communicated that we as a society must finally talk more openly about depression and suicide - this can save lives. The aim is for signals to be better recognized and understood and for suicides to be prevented. 

"The more we know about depression and the more we know about suicide, the better we can help each other." (Diana Doko)

 


Talking about depression saves lives," is Diana Doko's motto.

Benthe Untiedt: Mental health at your fingertips

Benthe Untiedt showed what it feels like when depression "weighs someone down". And why the supposedly well-intentioned advice to "cheer up" only makes things worse. 

The qualified psychologist brought her "moodsuits" to the Health Day, which make mental stress tangible. There is the "Beuger", a kind of rucksack that presses the head down so that the wearer feels small and depressed. Or the "bell", which looks like a diving helmet and makes contact with others more difficult. And finally, the "choker", which creates the feeling of having a lump in your throat. Our moodsuits are "symptoms to wear", says Bethe Untiedt. They help to build a bridge to people who experience such feelings and make this difficult topic relatable.


Benthe Untiedt shows her mood suits on our colleague Susanna.

Carola Kleinschmidt: Surf your energy: in harmony with your biorhythm

Bestselling author Carola Kleinschmidt continued with a lot of power. In her talk "Surf your energy: in tune with your biorhythm", she explained how to successfully surf your own energy wave. Because when we are in tune with our biorhythm, we are happier, work better and are more creative.

According to Carola Kleinschmidt, energy swings through the day in a wave; there are energy highs and energy lows. When our energy is high, everything is easier - sport, negotiations, conflicts in the family. But the energy low also has its justification, says Carola Kleinschmidt: it is perfect for processing things that we have learned during the energy high. "No learning without an energy low," she concludes.

She also discussed the differences between morning people and evening people and encouraged them to make small adjustments to suit their own biorhythm. According to Kleinschmidt, sleeping just half an hour longer can make a huge difference.

"No learning without an energy slump." (Carola Kleinschmidt)


Carola Kleinschmidt explains how the biorhythm works.

Michael "Curse" Kurth: Easy, anti-eso and for everyone: how to relax properly!

The crowning finale was the talk "Easy, anti-eso and for everyone: how to relax properly" by Michael "Curse" Kurth. The rapper and systemic coach took the audience into his own life, which was characterized by an early desire for success - and an abrupt upheaval when he realized that success is not a guarantee for happiness. He presented a 3-phase recipe for simply relaxing without esotericism. What does it involve? Taking a deep breath, questioning the problem and yourself and finally, discovering "the secret of the water bottle".


From rapper to systemic coach - Michael Kurth shows how to relax properly.

Movement breaks with yoga instructor Fjodor Kendzierski and relaxation sessions with the Mindance app rounded off the varied and highly topical program.

Gisela Erler and Alexa Ahmad: That was 30 years of pme

At the end, presenter Jessice Mina-Knopp brought pme CEO Alexa Ahmad and surprise guest Gisela Erler, founder of pme Familienservice, on stage once again. Alexa Ahmad emphasized how important the topic of health is for everyone: "What unites us all: Health is important from the cradle to the grave" and thanked all the speakers for their encouragement and numerous tips.

pme founder and former State Councillor Gisela Erler reviewed the company's transformation over the past 30 years and concluded: "For me, health is not just mindfulness and no stress, there are incredible crises and suddenly companies are doing incredible things that you never thought possible before."


Gisela Erler (left) and Alexa Ahmad (right) are clearly having fun.
 

Health Day 2022: Many thanks to our partners

pme health: Effective BGM in blended learning format 

Organizational consulting, GBU Psyche, BEM: Our occupational health management (OHM) services are characterized by their holistic and individual approach. From strategy development, needs analysis and action planning to evaluation, we establish, supplement and optimize companies' occupational health management portfolios in order to keep their employees healthy, productive and motivated. 

Personal support for employees based on a new holistic mind-body & soul approach is one of our key factors and goes hand in hand with our blended learning concept. We combine digital and live formats to promote physical activity, nutrition, stress prevention and mindfulness and make our knowledge available regardless of time and place.