Bremen Paycheck Calculator 2026
Take-home pay in Bremen, with Germany tax rules applied automatically.
= 45.000 € per year
Estimated monthly take-home
2.504 €
30.047 € per year · 33.2% goes to tax & contributions
| Item | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Gross salary | 45.000 € | 3.750 € |
| Income tax (Lohnsteuer) | −5.436 € | −453 € |
| Solidarity surcharge (Soli)below Freigrenze | −0 € | −0 € |
| Pension insurance9.3% | −4.185 € | −349 € |
| Health insurance8.75% (incl. avg. Zusatzbeitrag) | −3.937 € | −328 € |
| Long-term care insurance1.8% | −810 € | −67 € |
| Unemployment insurance1.3% | −585 € | −49 € |
| Take-home pay | 30.047 € | 2.504 € |
Estimate only — not tax advice. Figures are estimates based on publicly available tax rules and may not reflect your full circumstances. See our methodology & sources. Always confirm with an official tax authority or a licensed adviser before making decisions.
What's different about Bremen
Bremen charges 9% church tax and is one of Germany's smallest city-states.
Average gross pay in Bremen is around 46.000 €, above the national figure of about 44.000 € — which shapes what a given salary feels like locally as much as the tax does.
For a full walkthrough of how Germany's tax and contributions work, see the Germany salary & tax guide.
Economy and key industries in Bremen
Bremen is Germany's smallest city-state by population and punches above its weight in logistics and aerospace. The port of Bremerhaven is Europe's fourth-largest container terminal, while Airbus and OHB operate major spacecraft and satellite assembly lines in the city. Food processing (Beck's brewery, Kraft Heinz) and automotive supply (Mercedes plant in Bremen-Sebaldsbrück) round out an industrial base that generates a GDP per capita above the national average despite the state's compact size.
Church tax in Bremen is 9% of income tax. On a €46,000 salary a church member pays roughly €350–400 a year, indistinguishable from most German states in practical terms.
Cost of living in Bremen
Rents in Bremen are among the lowest of any western German city: a central one-bedroom averages €550–700, and the Neustadt or Findorff districts offer character flats at even less. Bremerhaven, the state's second city, is cheaper still — €400–500 for a decent flat. Overall cost of living sits roughly 10% below the national average, making Bremen an unusually affordable western outpost.
Average gross pay in Bremen is approximately €46,000 — close to the national median and higher than all eastern states, reflecting the city's industrial productivity even as its headline unemployment rate runs above the western average.
Salary examples in Bremen
| Role level | Gross annual | Est. net monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Warehouse / logistics coordinator | 40.000 € | 2.300 € |
| Aerospace engineer / port manager | 55.000 € | 2.950 € |
| Senior specialist / plant manager | 75.000 € | 3.750 € |
Bremen vs the national average
On a €46,000 salary, take-home in Bremen is about €2,560 a month — virtually identical to the national average for that income. Where Bremen stands apart is in housing affordability: a €600 flat absorbs just 23% of net pay, compared to over 35% for the same salary in Munich or Frankfurt. This makes Bremen one of western Germany's best-kept secrets for disposable income after rent. The downside is a narrower job market — opportunities concentrate in logistics, aerospace, and food production, and unemployment runs higher than in Bavaria or Baden-Württemberg. For professionals in those sectors, however, Bremen offers an unusually favourable salary-to-cost ratio, and the city's compact size means cycling commutes of fifteen minutes or less are the norm rather than the exception.
Other Bundesländer
Frequently Asked Questions
+How much is take-home pay in Bremen?
On a 45.000 € salary in Bremen, estimated take-home is about 2.504 € a month after tax and contributions (33.2% deducted). Use the calculator above for your exact figure.
+Is income tax different in Bremen?
Bremen charges 9% church tax and is one of Germany's smallest city-states.
+What's the marginal tax rate in Bremen?
On a 45.000 € salary in Bremen, the marginal rate is about 30% — that's the rate on your next unit of pay, so it's what a raise or bonus is taxed at here.
Moving to Bremen
Frequently Asked Questions
+Is Bremen too small for career growth?
Bremen's economy is specialised rather than small — Airbus, Mercedes, and the port authority are major employers with genuine career ladders. For roles outside logistics and aerospace, Hamburg is just an hour north by train, and many Bremen residents commute there for broader opportunities while keeping Bremen's low living costs.
+How does Bremerhaven differ from Bremen city?
Bremerhaven is a separate enclave 60 km north, centred on the container port, the Alfred Wegener Institute for polar research, and a growing offshore-wind service sector. Rents are among Germany's cheapest in any city, and the coastal lifestyle attracts those who prefer quiet over urban buzz.
+What's public transport like in Bremen?
Bremen's tram and bus network covers the compact city efficiently, and most residents cycle year-round on an extensive bike-lane network. The €49 Deutschlandticket covers local transport and reaches Hamburg in about an hour by regional train, making car-free living genuinely practical.
Further reading
Estimate only — not tax advice. Figures are estimates based on publicly available tax rules and may not reflect your full circumstances. See our methodology & sources (last reviewed June 2026). Always confirm with an official tax authority or a licensed adviser before making decisions.