Running a Tech Business in Berlin: Costs, Compliance, and Community Berlin isn't the cheapest European city for startups. But it offers something rare: a combination of technical talent, regulatory clarity, and startup density that creates genuine competitive advantage. Real Costs (2026) Expense Monthly Cost Office (WeWork / similar) €400-800/person Developer salary (mid-level) €4,500-6,500 Hetzner VPS (production) €15-45 Legal/accounting (UG) €300-500 Health insurance (public) €350-450/person Rent (1BR apartment) €1,000-1,500 Total burn for 3-person team: ~€18,000-25,000/month. Why a UG (Not GmbH) The Unternehmergesellschaft (UG) is Germany's "mini-GmbH": €1 minimum capital (vs. €25,000 for GmbH) Same liability protection Same legal standing Must retain 25% of profits until €25,000 reached (then convert to GmbH) For bootstrapped founders, the UG structure removes the capital barrier entirely.…