Saving a house deposit in a year sounds ambitious, but the arithmetic is simple: pick a target, divide it by 12 (or 52), and track it. This guide walks through the planning steps and gives you a ready-made monthly table in euros.
This article is for general planning purposes only. It is not financial, mortgage, tax or investment advice.
Step 1: Set a clear deposit target
Your target is the total amount you want to have set aside by the end of the 12 months. Many buyers work from a percentage of the purchase price plus extra costs such as notary fees, land registry and taxes. Because these vary by location and property, check the figures that apply to you. Our guide on how much deposit you may need in Germany is a good starting point.
For the example below, we use a target of €24,000.
Step 2: Divide it into monthly and weekly amounts
Divide your target by 12 for a monthly amount, or by 52 for a weekly one. For €24,000:
- Monthly: €24,000 ÷ 12 = €2,000
- Weekly: €24,000 ÷ 52 = €461.54
Step 3: Use the 12-month table
Here is how the plan builds up if you set aside the same amount every month.
| Month | Saved this month | Total saved | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | €2,000 | €2,000 | 8% |
| 2 | €2,000 | €4,000 | 17% |
| 3 | €2,000 | €6,000 | 25% |
| 4 | €2,000 | €8,000 | 33% |
| 5 | €2,000 | €10,000 | 42% |
| 6 | €2,000 | €12,000 | 50% |
| 7 | €2,000 | €14,000 | 58% |
| 8 | €2,000 | €16,000 | 67% |
| 9 | €2,000 | €18,000 | 75% |
| 10 | €2,000 | €20,000 | 83% |
| 11 | €2,000 | €22,000 | 92% |
| 12 | €2,000 | €24,000 | 100% |
The table ignores interest, which depends on where you hold your savings.
Step 4: See what other targets look like
Not every deposit is €24,000. Here is what a 12-month plan means for other targets.
| Target | Per month | Per week |
|---|---|---|
| €10,000 | €833.33 | €192.31 |
| €20,000 | €1,666.67 | €384.62 |
| €30,000 | €2,500.00 | €576.92 |
| €40,000 | €3,333.33 | €769.23 |
If the monthly figure is higher than you can manage, a longer timeline lowers it. Stretching €24,000 over 24 months, for example, brings it to €1,000 a month.
Step 5: Make the plan stick
A number only helps if you can follow it. A few habits that tend to work:
- Pay yourself first. Move the monthly amount to a separate savings pot as soon as your income arrives.
- Break it into milestones. Celebrating 25%, 50% and 75% keeps motivation up.
- Review monthly. Compare what you saved with the plan and adjust the next month if you fall behind.
- Use windfalls. Bonuses or tax refunds can close a gap quickly.
Plan your own number
Every situation is different. The My Savings Plan calculator lets you enter your own target and timeline, then shows your monthly and weekly breakdown in euros (or another currency) and helps you track progress against your target date.
Try the calculator and turn your deposit goal into a clear monthly plan.