Germany vs Ireland
Germany applies progressive income tax. Ireland applies progressive income tax up to 40%. Enter each salary in its own currency, then pick a currency to compare them in.
Nothing compared yet. Add a country above, then change the country and add another to compare them side by side.
What each one leaves you, at four income levels
€7,148 a year apart on €60,000, in favour of Ireland
| Gross | Germany keeps | Ireland keeps | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| €30,000 | €21,361 | €26,307 | €4,946 more in Ireland |
| €60,000 | €37,799 | €44,947 | €7,148 more in Ireland |
| €100,000 | €58,253 | €64,569 | €6,317 more in Ireland |
| €150,000 | €85,084 | €88,469 | €3,386 more in Ireland |
Both use the EUR, so these are the same amount of money on both sides. Figures are for a single filer and exclude cost of living.
The two systems side by side
Germany
- Rentenversicherung
- Arbeitslosenversicherung
- Krankenversicherung
- Pflegeversicherung
- Vorsorgepauschale
- Arbeitnehmer-Pauschbetrag
- Sonderausgaben-Pauschbetrag
- Einkommensteuer
- Solidaritaetszuschlag
Bundesministerium der Finanzen, 2026-08-17
Ireland
- Income Tax (PAYE)
- Personal Tax Credit
- Employee (PAYE) Tax Credit
- Universal Social Charge (USC)
- PRSI (Class A1)
Revenue Commissioners, 2026-08-17
A salary is not a standard of living. Converting both figures into one currency makes them comparable in units, not in what they buy. Housing, healthcare and everyday costs differ far more than the exchange rate suggests.