Moving to Germany comes with many surprises — from getting used to recycling rules to figuring out your health insurance. But perhaps one of the most confusing parts is understanding your payslip.

If you're looking at your contract thinking, "Wait, I thought I was earning more than this," you're not alone.

Brutto vs. Netto – What's the Deal?

Your contract usually mentions your Bruttogehalt (gross salary), but what actually lands in your account is your Nettogehalt (net salary). The difference comes from several deductions, including:

• Income tax

• Social insurance (health, pension, unemployment)

• Solidarity surcharge

• Church tax (if applicable)

Depending on your tax class, marital status, and health insurance type, your net salary can be 30–45% lower than your gross pay.

So How Do You Know What You’ll Actually Take Home?

Simple: use an online net salary calculator designed for Germany. We recommend bruttonettorechner.io — it’s fast, accurate, and completely free.

Just enter your gross salary, tax class, and a few other details, and you’ll get a precise breakdown of your expected net income. It's especially helpful if you're comparing job offers or planning a budget in Germany.