"The money simply disappears": Guest worker spent €4,000 on a holiday in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina

A post on the popular Facebook page "Life in Germany" triggered a flood of reactions after a migrant revealed that he spent nearly €4,000 for a three‑week stay in Croatia and Bosnia and returned to Munich with large financial obligations.

The author of the post described a mix of family celebrations and everyday expenses that quickly added up. He wrote: "I don't know what to think anymore. We spent almost €4,000 for a three‑week annual holiday in Croatia and Bosnia. Fuel, tolls, restaurants, gifts, a wedding, the sea, nights out… the money simply disappears. Down there everyone thinks that we from Germany have as much money as we want. And I'm returning to Munich tomorrow and on the first my rent of €1,480 awaits me."

Two opposing views

Two main interpretations appeared in the comments: some users argued that such expenses are justified when the trip includes weddings, nights out and gifts, while others pointed out that prices for basic goods and services in the region are rising and undermining the expected "European" standard.

One user gave an example of shop prices: "My son lives in Germany and we talked about exactly this. I just returned from there and I see a box of chocolates. There it costs €2.99, on sale €2, while in Croatia it's €8.99. A banal example, but everything is more expensive here, some things even twice as much. So live in the Balkans on Balkan wages…"

Others noted that €4,000 is not surprising for a three‑week holiday that includes the seaside and intensive social obligations: "Well, three weeks at the sea, weddings, nights out, partying… Of course you'd spend €4,000. And if you'd just gone to the seaside for three weeks like a person, you'd spend that much." On the other hand, there were skeptical comments: "What do you mean €4,000, for heaven's sake! I was in Bosnia for two weeks, I barely spent €700, and I was practically not at home except to sleep."

One reply summed up another common dilemma: "We in Bosnia earn €800 a month, and we spend €1,000. Where we find that €200 — we don't know." The discussion showed that returning to one's homeland often brings expectations from family and friends — and that frequently means additional financial obligations that reduce the effect of wages earned abroad.

Photo: Burkhard Mücke / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)