Monthly Cost Breakdown (Single Person, 2026)
| Expense | Dublin | Berlin |
|---|---|---|
| Rent 1-bed city centre | €2,100–€2,500 | €1,200–€1,500 |
| Groceries | €350–€420 | €280–€350 |
| Public transport | €140 | €86 |
| Utilities | €160–€200 | €200–€300 |
| Health insurance | €80–€120 private | €0 included in tax |
| Phone | €20–€40 | €15–€30 |
| Total | €2,850–€3,400 | €1,780–€2,265 |
Dublin costs €900–€1,100/month more. That is up to €13,200/year extra for the same lifestyle.
Salary Comparison
- Mid-level SWE Dublin: €70,000–€90,000 gross. ~33% effective tax. Take-home: €49,000–€62,000/year.
- Mid-level SWE Berlin: €60,000–€80,000 gross. ~38% effective tax. Take-home: €40,000–€52,000/year.
Dublin wins on gross and net, but subtract the higher cost of living and the disposable income gap almost disappears. A senior Berlin engineer often keeps more per month than a Dublin peer earning €15k more.
Quality of Life
- Space: €1,400/month in Berlin = 2-bedroom. In Dublin = small studio.
- Work culture: Germany mandates 30 days leave. Overtime is uncommon and legally limited.
- Language: Both English-friendly in tech. Berlin bureaucracy increasingly requires German.
- Visa: EU Blue Card makes Germany slightly easier for non-EU workers long-term.
Verdict
Senior engineers maximising income → Dublin edges ahead. Mid-level engineers prioritising disposable income, space, and quality of life → Berlin wins in 2026.
Full Ireland vs Germany comparison →
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