Suppose you’re a developer and you want to go to Europe. In that case, I’ll tell you how much money you can expect to make in nations like Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg, and Belgium in this article.
Why even consider looking for a job in Europe if that’s the case? Therefore, Europe is an excellent place for software engineers since many startups have originated there, and larger corporations have opened regional offices to serve the European market better.
Over half of tech leaders cited difficulty attracting software developers as their biggest hurdle to business growth. The European Commission recently released research showing a shortage of vacancies for over half a million jobs.
The five-day work week, an eight-hour workday, generous vacation time, and flexible working arrangements common in Europe are additional attractive features.
Since many European nations are having trouble filling open positions with qualified candidates, they are increasingly casting their gaze abroad. As a result, many of these nations have instituted special salary and benefits packages, tax incentives, and visa policies to lure foreign software developers to their shores.
Switzerland
First on the agenda: Switzerland, home to Europe’s most generous software developer salary packages. After taxes, a software developer in Switzerland can expect an annual salary of over $61,000 (around $3,800 per month).
The highest-paid software engineers in Switzerland earn roughly 190,000 Swiss francs a year before taxes, which translates to a net monthly software developer salary of around 10,000 Euros.
On the other hand, the typical salary for a software developer is around 125,000 Swiss francs per year (or 7,000 euros per month) after taxes. However, Switzerland’s high cost of living means that it also has the highest software engineer income. So while Switzerland isn’t recognized for its IT industry, you may find work at major businesses like Google, Microsoft, Salesforce, Cisco, SAP, IBM, and Oracle, thanks to the country’s advantageous tax policy. Many more businesses than these can be found in Switzerland.
France
France, like many other European nations, is actively courting the startup industry; as a result, the French government has instituted several initiatives designed to make the country a more desirable location to launch a technology business. French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to create ten business giants in Europe by 2030, each worth at least 100 billion Euros. To that end, he has instituted special visas for tech professionals and opened several incubators in major cities like Paris to help make this goal a reality.
Software developers in France can expect to make a salary of around 23,000 euros per year before taxes or about 1,500 euros per month after taxes. However, the highest-paid software engineers in the country make closer to 74,000 euros per year before taxes or about 3,900 euros per month after taxes.
However, the average salary of a software developer in France is around 47,000 euros per year, equivalent to about 2,700 euros per month after taxes. This is great news because if you receive a job offer in the tech industry in France that pays at least 37,000 euros per year, you are eligible for France’s Tech Visa, which allows non-EU nationals to come to France and work in the tech sector.
Germany
Let’s look at the Salary of a Software Developer in Germany, the largest European country and one of the most popular for software developers. The number of software developers and engineers in Germany is predicted to rise from its current high of over 800,000.
Even though the scarcity of software engineers is felt throughout Germany, it is most acute in major metropolitan areas such as Cologne and Munich. Software developers in Germany may expect a minimum annual income of 40,000 euros, which works out to about 2,400 euros per month after taxes.
However, a software developer’s average salary is closer to 54,000 euros annually before taxes, which translates to a net monthly salary of around 3,100 euros per month if you are a less experienced developer, and closer to 70,000 euros annually, or 3,900 euros per month after taxes, if you are a more experienced developer.
Sweden
Most people think of European startup hubs in London, Paris, or Berlin. Still, Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, has more software businesses per resident than any other European city, and only Silicon Valley has more. If you want to get an idea of Sweden’s successful startup culture, look at some of the companies that have emerged from Sweden in recent years, such as Skype, Spotify, Klarna, and Candy Crush. Thanks to the thriving tech industry in the country, 175,000 individuals are currently employed there.
After taxes, a software developer in Sweden may expect to take home a salary of 41,000 euros per year (or about $2,200 per month), with an average pay of around €59,000. The average salary for a senior software developer is €73,000. This equates to €3,700 per month after taxes.
Luxembourg
Anyone interested in working as a software developer for one of the many banks that have set up shop in Luxembourg might consider relocating to the country. With a population of only approximately 600,000, it is remarkable that over 10,000 persons in the country are engaged in the software development industry.
Therefore, a software developer in Luxembourg may expect a gross annual pay of about 53,000 euros, which translates to a net monthly salary of about 3,200 euros after taxes.
A higher pay of roughly 75,000 euros per year, or 4,000 euros per month after taxes, can be expected if you have more expertise or work for one of the main banks founded in the country.
Netherlands
Over 300,000 people in the Netherlands are software developers, making it another country that has recently seen a rise in popularity among software developers. In addition, recent studies reveal that the IT industry in the country is booming, with prospects rising by 6% in the future year.
A software developer in the Netherlands can expect an average annual pay of 42,000 to 48,000 euros or a net compensation of 2,600 to 2,900 euros per month after taxes.
The Netherlands has a special 30% tax regulation that allows foreign ex-pats to collect a tax-free allowance of 30% of their income. However, this is unlikely to be enough to cover your living expenses if you decide to work as an ex-pat there.
Italy
Despite being the third largest economy in the world and boasting a high standard of living, beautiful scenery, and delicious cuisine, Italy ranks near the bottom in Europe when it comes to attracting software developers. This is largely attributable to the low salaries that are offered in the country.
If you’re a software engineer in Italy, you can count on a minimum annual compensation of roughly 23,000 euros, which works out to a net monthly salary of around 1,300 euros.
In reality, a software developer’s average salary is closer to 31,000 euros annually before taxes, which translates to a net monthly salary of around 1,800 euros. However, a more seasoned developer should be able to negotiate a salary closer to 50,000 euros annually, which translates to a net monthly salary of around 2,700 euros.
Belgium
It’s not just the United States putting measures to entice international software developers to relocate there to cover positions that can’t be filled locally; Belgium is doing the same thing by providing incentives to businesses who hire from outside the country.
Many software developers I know have been lured to Belgium from countries like India with the promise of lucrative relocation packages that cover everything from their first month’s rent to the full cost of sending their children to prestigious foreign schools. Those of you who are not originally from Europe but have a long-term interest in settling in Europe may also find Belgium an appealing option, as it is one of the simplest countries to obtain citizenship.
An annual minimum income of 26,000 Euros (about $19,000) is typical for software developers in Belgium before taxes. This equates to a net pay of about 1,650 Euros per month.
However, a software developer’s typical pay is closer to 38,000 euros per year before taxes, which translates to a net monthly salary of roughly 2,200 euros. You should be able to negotiate a salary of around 55,000 Euros per year as an experienced developer, which comes out to about 2,800 Euros monthly after taxes.
Finland
For those considering a move abroad, Finland is a top contender, boasting an excellent quality of life and, possibly, the best public education system in the world.
However, some foreigners find adjusting to the short daylight hours (about six hours) during winter is challenging. The minimum salary for a software developer in Finland is about 30,000 euros per year before taxes, which works out to about 1,600 euros per month after taxes. However, the average salary for a software developer in Finland is closer to 45,000 euros per year before taxes, which works out to about 2,300 euros per month after taxes.
You should be able to negotiate a salary of around 63,000 euros per year as an experienced developer or about 3,000 euros per month after taxes.
The United Kingdom
For software engineers who want to settle in an English-speaking country, the United Kingdom is an excellent choice because it is one of the most expat-friendly countries in Europe. British businesses are accustomed to employing people from all over the world.
A minimum annual salary in the United Kingdom is roughly 26,000 pounds, which, after taxes, translates to a monthly income of around £1,800.
However, a software developer in the United Kingdom may expect an average pay of around 38,000 British pounds per year before taxes, which works out to about 2,500 British pounds per month after deductions. You should be able to negotiate a pay of around £3,700 per month (about $62,000 a year) if you’re an experienced programmer in the UK.
Ireland
If you’re a software developer wanting to move to Europe, Ireland is another great English-speaking alternative. Many huge multinational corporations have opened offices in Ireland because of its advantageous corporate tax policy and because it is the only remaining English-speaking country in the European Union (EU) in the wake of Brexit.
Over a thousand enterprises, including those you see on the screen, have invested in or set up shop in the country. Ireland is now home to the European headquarters of nine out of ten of the world’s largest information technology and eight of the ten largest video game firms.
A software developer in Ireland can anticipate earning a minimum annual salary of roughly 32,000 euros, which would translate to a net salary of around 2,300 euros per month.
On the other hand, a software developer in Ireland can expect to make an average annual salary of around 45,000 before taxes, which works out to a net monthly salary of around 2,900 euros. A developer with more experience can expect an annual salary of around 68,000 euros, or about 3,900 euros per month.
That’s only a sampling of the money you can make working in various European countries.
