How Much Does It Cost to Open a Barbershop in Germany? A City-by-City Breakdown
Berlin is cheaper than Munich, but how much cheaper? Here's what you'll actually spend to open a barbershop in Germany's major cities.
Sarah Mitchell
Content strategist with a passion for helping businesses grow.
"How much will it cost?"
It's the first question every aspiring barbershop owner asks. And in Germany, the answer depends heavily on where you open.
A 3-chair shop in Munich might cost twice what it would in Leipzig. But Munich also has higher earning potential.
Let's break down real costs across Germany's major cities.
The big cost factors
Before we compare cities, understand what drives costs:
- Rent — The biggest variable (and ongoing expense)
- Kaution (deposit) — Usually 3 months rent upfront
- Renovation — Depends on space condition
- Equipment — Similar across cities
- Operating costs — Staff, products, utilities
Rent is where cities differ most dramatically.
Berlin
The vibe: Creative, diverse, huge expat community. Lots of competition but also lots of demand.
Rent reality:
- Trendy areas (Kreuzberg, Neukölln, Friedrichshain): €20-35/sqm
- Outer areas (Spandau, Marzahn): €10-18/sqm
- Average for 60sqm shop: €1,200-2,100/month in central areas
Startup budget (3-chair shop):
| Category | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Deposit (3 months) | €3,600-6,300 |
| First month rent | €1,200-2,100 |
| Renovation | €8,000-20,000 |
| Equipment | €4,000-8,000 |
| Permits/setup | €300-500 |
| Cash reserve | €8,000-12,000 |
| Total | €25,000-49,000 |
Earning potential: €40-60 average cut price. High volume possible in right locations.
Watch out for: Gentrification pushing rents up fast. Lock in longer leases if you find a good rate.
Munich (München)
The vibe: Wealthy, traditional, high standards. Clients expect premium service and will pay for it.
Rent reality:
- City center: €35-60/sqm
- Outer districts: €20-35/sqm
- Average for 60sqm shop: €2,100-3,600/month in desirable areas
Startup budget (3-chair shop):
| Category | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Deposit (3 months) | €6,300-10,800 |
| First month rent | €2,100-3,600 |
| Renovation | €10,000-30,000 |
| Equipment | €5,000-12,000 |
| Permits/setup | €300-600 |
| Cash reserve | €12,000-18,000 |
| Total | €36,000-75,000 |
Earning potential: €50-80+ average cut price. Wealthy clientele tips well.
Watch out for: High competition from established salons. You need to differentiate clearly.
Hamburg
The vibe: Port city energy, mix of working class and wealthy neighborhoods. Strong local loyalty.
Rent reality:
- Central/trendy (St. Pauli, Schanze, Eimsbüttel): €22-38/sqm
- Outer areas: €12-20/sqm
- Average for 60sqm shop: €1,300-2,300/month
Startup budget (3-chair shop):
| Category | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Deposit (3 months) | €3,900-6,900 |
| First month rent | €1,300-2,300 |
| Renovation | €8,000-22,000 |
| Equipment | €4,000-9,000 |
| Permits/setup | €300-500 |
| Cash reserve | €8,000-14,000 |
| Total | €25,500-55,000 |
Earning potential: €45-65 average cut. Loyal client base once established.
Watch out for: Weather affects foot traffic. Location near transit helps.
Frankfurt
The vibe: Finance hub, international, busy professionals with money and no time.
Rent reality:
- City center/Westend: €30-50/sqm
- Nordend, Bornheim: €22-35/sqm
- Average for 60sqm shop: €1,800-3,000/month
Startup budget (3-chair shop):
| Category | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Deposit (3 months) | €5,400-9,000 |
| First month rent | €1,800-3,000 |
| Renovation | €10,000-25,000 |
| Equipment | €4,500-10,000 |
| Permits/setup | €300-500 |
| Cash reserve | €10,000-16,000 |
| Total | €32,000-64,000 |
Earning potential: €50-75 average cut. Business clients value efficiency.
Watch out for: Very transient population. Focus on rebooking strategies.
Cologne (Köln)
The vibe: Relaxed, friendly, strong local culture. More affordable than Frankfurt.
Rent reality:
- Ehrenfeld, Südstadt, Belgisches Viertel: €18-30/sqm
- Outer areas: €12-18/sqm
- Average for 60sqm shop: €1,100-1,800/month
Startup budget (3-chair shop):
| Category | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Deposit (3 months) | €3,300-5,400 |
| First month rent | €1,100-1,800 |
| Renovation | €7,000-18,000 |
| Equipment | €4,000-8,000 |
| Permits/setup | €300-500 |
| Cash reserve | €7,000-12,000 |
| Total | €22,700-46,000 |
Earning potential: €40-55 average cut. Strong community feel.
Watch out for: Carnival season is wild — plan for it.
Leipzig
The vibe: Up-and-coming, young, creative. Often called "the new Berlin."
Rent reality:
- Trendy areas (Plagwitz, Connewitz): €10-18/sqm
- Other areas: €6-12/sqm
- Average for 60sqm shop: €600-1,100/month
Startup budget (3-chair shop):
| Category | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Deposit (3 months) | €1,800-3,300 |
| First month rent | €600-1,100 |
| Renovation | €5,000-15,000 |
| Equipment | €3,500-7,000 |
| Permits/setup | €200-400 |
| Cash reserve | €5,000-9,000 |
| Total | €16,000-36,000 |
Earning potential: €30-45 average cut. Lower prices but also lower costs.
Watch out for: Growing fast — rents increasing. Good time to lock in.
City comparison at a glance
| City | Startup cost range | Avg rent (60sqm) | Avg cut price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Munich | €36,000-75,000 | €2,100-3,600 | €50-80 | Premium positioning |
| Frankfurt | €32,000-64,000 | €1,800-3,000 | €50-75 | Business clientele |
| Hamburg | €25,500-55,000 | €1,300-2,300 | €45-65 | Loyal local base |
| Berlin | €25,000-49,000 | €1,200-2,100 | €40-60 | Volume, diversity |
| Cologne | €22,700-46,000 | €1,100-1,800 | €40-55 | Community feel |
| Leipzig | €16,000-36,000 | €600-1,100 | €30-45 | Low-cost entry |
The hidden costs nobody mentions
Beyond the startup budget, plan for:
Steuerberater (tax advisor): €100-300/month. Non-negotiable in Germany.
Berufsgenossenschaft (accident insurance): €500-2,000/year depending on staff.
GEZ/Rundfunkbeitrag: €18.36/month — yes, even for businesses.
GEMA (if playing music): €200-500/year depending on size.
Chamber fees (IHK/HWK): €100-500/year.
Utilities: €200-500/month (higher in winter).
Add ~€500-800/month to your operating costs for these "surprises."
How to choose your city
Choose Munich/Frankfurt if:
- You have capital and want higher margins
- You can deliver premium service
- You're targeting wealthy professionals
Choose Berlin/Hamburg if:
- You want a balance of cost and opportunity
- You're targeting diverse/international clientele
- You value creative freedom
Choose Cologne/Leipzig if:
- You're starting with less capital
- You want lower risk and pressure
- You're building slowly and sustainably
The math that matters
Ultimately, it's about margin, not just costs.
Munich example:
- Rent: €2,500/month
- 200 cuts/month × €60 = €12,000
- After costs: ~€5,000 profit
Leipzig example:
- Rent: €800/month
- 200 cuts/month × €35 = €7,000
- After costs: ~€3,500 profit
Munich makes more, but requires more capital and higher execution. Leipzig is lower risk, lower reward.
There's no wrong answer — only wrong fits for your situation.
Wherever you open in Germany, Vinci 26 works in any city and any language. Manage your bookings, build your client base, and grow without marketplace fees taking a cut of what you earn.
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