Save €7,000/year
Legal & fully compliant
Invest gross salary in ETFs
Save €7,000 per year
as an expat in Germany
Most expats overpay thousands every year on health insurance, social security contributions and miss out on state-subsidised investment programs. On top of your real estate investments, these optimisations can unlock an additional €7,000+ in annual savings.
Save €7,000/year
Legal & fully compliant
Invest gross salary in ETFs
Most expats overpay thousands every year on health insurance, social security contributions and miss out on state-subsidised investment programs. On top of your real estate investments, these optimisations can unlock an additional €7,000+ in annual savings.
Save 7,000 per year as an expat in Germany
€
+
Annual savings potential
vs.standard options
€
+
Annual savings potential
vs.standard options
€
/mo
Tax-free ETF investing
from gross salary
€
/mo
Tax-free ETF investing
from gross salary
€
/yr
Health insurance saving
vs. public GKV
€
/yr
Health insurance saving
vs. public GKV
€
+
Annual savings potential
vs.standard options
€
/mo
Tax-free ETF investing
from gross salary
€
/yr
Health insurance saving
vs. public GKV
Savings Overview
Where does
the
€7,000
come
from ?
Four levers, each independently actionable — combine them and you unlock the full saving potential.
Four levers, each independently actionable — combine them and you unlock the full saving potential.
Four levers, each independently actionable — combine them and you unlock the full saving potential.
Private Health Insurance (PKV)
Switch from public GKV to private PKV and pay significantly less - with better coverage.
€1,800/yr
Private Health Insurance (PKV)
Switch from public GKV to private PKV and pay significantly less - with better coverage.
€1,800/yr
Private Health Insurance (PKV)
Switch from public GKV to private PKV and pay significantly less - with better coverage.
€1,800/yr
ETF Savings from Gross Salary
Invest up to €588/month via bAV directly from your gross pay — saving income tax & social security.
€2,100/yr
ETF Savings from Gross Salary
Invest up to €588/month via bAV directly from your gross pay — saving income tax & social security.
€2,100/yr
ETF Savings from Gross Salary
Invest up to €588/month via bAV directly from your gross pay — saving income tax & social security.
€2,100/yr
State Subsidies & Riester/Rürup
Claim state bonuses and tax deductions worth up to €1,800 per year through pension plans.
€1,800/yr
State Subsidies & Riester/Rürup
Claim state bonuses and tax deductions worth up to €1,800 per year through pension plans.
€1,800/yr
State Subsidies & Riester/Rürup
Claim state bonuses and tax deductions worth up to €1,800 per year through pension plans.
€1,800/yr
Social Security Optimation
Reduce compulsory social contributions through legal structuring — especially for freelancers and high earners.
€1,300/yr
Social Security Optimation
Reduce compulsory social contributions through legal structuring — especially for freelancers and high earners.
€1,300/yr
Social Security Optimation
Reduce compulsory social contributions through legal structuring — especially for freelancers and high earners.
€1,300/yr
Top Projects 2026
GKV vs. PKV – save up to €1,800/year
GKV vs. PKV – save up to €1,800/year
GKV vs. PKV – save up to €1,800/year
As a high-earning expat, private health insurance (PKV) is almost always cheaper and better. Most expats don't know they can switch.
As a high-earning expat, private health insurance (PKV) is almost always cheaper and better. Most expats don't know they can switch.
Public Insurance (GKV)
Public Insurance (GKV)
Standard for most employees
Standard for most employees
~€750
/mo
at €62,000 gross salary
Contribution: ~14.6% of gross salary
Cap at Beitragsbemessungsgrenze
(~€900/mo)
Family co-insurance included
No individual risk pricing for young expats
Limited choice of doctors & treatments
Private Insurance (PKV)
Private Insurance (PKV)
Optimal for expats
Optimal for expats
Recommended
Recommended
~€600
/mo
typical for 30-40 yr old expat
Fixed monthly premium regardless of income
Young & healthy expats pay €200-€350/mo
Access to senior doctors & private rooms
Shorter waiting times, broader coverage
Savings vs. GKV: up to €1,800/year
Public Insurance (GKV)
Standard for most employees
~€750
/mo
at €62,000 gross salary
Contribution: ~14.6% of gross salary
Cap at Beitragsbemessungsgrenze
(~€900/mo)
Family co-insurance included
No individual risk pricing for young expats
Limited choice of doctors & treatments
Private Insurance (PKV)
Optimal for expats
Recommended
~€600
/mo
typical for 30-40 yr old expat
Fixed monthly premium regardless of income
Young & healthy expats pay €200-€350/mo
Access to senior doctors & private rooms
Shorter waiting times, broader coverage
Savings vs. GKV: up to €1,800/year
ETF Investing from gross
Invest before tax — save €2,100/year
Germany's company pension scheme (bAV) lets you invest directly from your gross salary into ETFs, bypassing income tax and social security contributions entirely.
Germany's company pension scheme (bAV) lets you invest directly from your gross salary into ETFs, bypassing income tax and social security contributions entirely.
Germany's company pension scheme (bAV) lets you invest directly from your gross salary into ETFs, bypassing income tax and social security contributions entirely.
01
bAV - Company Pension Scheme
Your employer redirects part of your gross salary (up to €588/month in 2026) directly into an ETF portfolio - before income tax and social security are applied.
01
bAV - Company Pension Scheme
Your employer redirects part of your gross salary (up to €588/month in 2026) directly into an ETF portfolio - before income tax and social security are applied.
01
bAV - Company Pension Scheme
Your employer redirects part of your gross salary (up to €588/month in 2026) directly into an ETF portfolio - before income tax and social security are applied.
02
Tax & Social Security Savings
On €588/month gross invested, you save approx. 42% in tax + social contributions. That's over €2,100/year staying in your wealth — not the state.
02
Tax & Social Security Savings
On €588/month gross invested, you save approx. 42% in tax + social contributions. That's over €2,100/year staying in your wealth — not the state.
02
Tax & Social Security Savings
On €588/month gross invested, you save approx. 42% in tax + social contributions. That's over €2,100/year staying in your wealth — not the state.
03
Compound Growth in ETFs
The invested capital grows tax-deferred in globally diversified ETFs (e.g. MSCI World, S&P 500). No capital gains tax until payout at retirement.
03
Compound Growth in ETFs
The invested capital grows tax-deferred in globally diversified ETFs (e.g. MSCI World, S&P 500). No capital gains tax until payout at retirement.
03
Compound Growth in ETFs
The invested capital grows tax-deferred in globally diversified ETFs (e.g. MSCI World, S&P 500). No capital gains tax until payout at retirement.
04
Lower Tax Rate at Retirement
Payouts in retirement are taxed at your then-applicable rate — which is typically far lower than your working-life marginal rate. Double benefit.
04
Lower Tax Rate at Retirement
Payouts in retirement are taxed at your then-applicable rate — which is typically far lower than your working-life marginal rate. Double benefit.
04
Lower Tax Rate at Retirement
Payouts in retirement are taxed at your then-applicable rate — which is typically far lower than your working-life marginal rate. Double benefit.
State Subsidies & Grants
Free money from German state
– are you claiming it?
Germany has multiple subsidy programs most expats never claim. Each is independently stackable and worth hundreds to thousands per year.
Germany has multiple subsidy programs most expats never claim. Each is independently stackable and worth hundreds to thousands per year.
Germany has multiple subsidy programs most expats never claim. Each is independently stackable and worth hundreds to thousands per year.
Riester Pension
For emloyees
Up to €175/yr state bonus
+ € 185/child/yr
The German state pays you a direct annual bonus of €175(plus per child). Contributions are also fully tax-deductible. Best for employees with children.
Rürup / Basic Pension
For freelancers
Up to €2,800/yr tax saving
84% deductible in 2026
Freelancers and high earners can deduct up to €27,565/yr in contributions. At 42% marginal tax rate, that's a saving of ~€2,800 annually.
Arbeitnehmer-Sparzulage
For emloyees
Up to €80/yr state grant
On top of your savings
Employees earning under €17,900 (single) / €35,800 (couple) receive a state top-up of up to 9% on capital-forming benefits (VWL). Free money.
Wohnungsbauprämie
For property savers
Up to €140/yr state bonus
On Bausparvertrag savings
Save into a German Bausparvertrag and receive a state housing premium of 10% on up to €1,400/yr saved. No income cap for this subsidy since 2021.
The complete expat financial strategy
The complete expat financial strategy
Real estate + financial optimisation =
Real estate + financial optimisation =
maximum wealth building
maximum wealth building
Combine €7,000/year in financial savings with infinite equity returns from property investment — and build real wealth as an expat in Germany.
Combine €7,000/year in financial savings with infinite equity returns from property investment — and build real wealth as an expat in Germany.
€7,000+
Annual savings on insurance, tax & subsidies
∞%
Equity return from zero-down real estate
€7,000+
Annual savings on insurance, tax & subsidies
∞%
Equity return from zero-down real estate
