Cost of living comparison: what your salary is worth abroad

How the comparison works

• Take-home first: we calculate your real net salary in your current country using 2026 tax and social security rules.
• Price levels: we adjust that net for how expensive each country is, using Eurostat's comparative price indices.
• Equivalent gross: we then work backwards through the other country's taxes to find the gross salary that buys the same lifestyle.

Equivalent salaries across Europe in 2026

The table shows what a typical gross salary in each country is worth elsewhere: the gross salary in the destination that buys the same lifestyle, after that country's taxes and price level. Calculated live with the same 2026 engine as the tool above.

Assumes a single employee, no dependants, 2026 tax rules, Eurostat country-level price indices; UK figures converted at an approximate market rate.

Why comparing gross salaries across countries misleads you

A gross salary is just the sticker price. Between two countries, two things change at once: how much of that gross you actually keep, and how much life costs once you've kept it. A €70,000 offer in Amsterdam and a €70,000 offer in Madrid are not the same money — Dutch deductions and Dutch prices are both higher. The only fair comparison is lifestyle-for-lifestyle: net pay, adjusted for price levels. That is exactly what this tool computes.

The tax wedge: the first thing that changes when you move

Europe's tax systems diverge sharply in 2026. Germany pairs progressive income tax with social contributions of roughly 20% of gross up to high ceilings, so mid-to-high earners keep notably less. Italy taxes at 23%, 33% and 43% with hefty INPS contributions on top. Spain is gentler on middle incomes, with social security capped at modest levels. The Netherlands looks high on paper (up to 49.5%) but generous labour and general credits soften the blow below ~€78,000. The UK is the outlier: 8% National Insurance and a 20% basic band leave mid earners with the most take-home of the five — though frozen thresholds quietly raise the real burden each year.

Price levels across Europe in 2026

On Eurostat's comparative price index (EU-27 = 100), the Netherlands sits around 116 and the UK around 113 — the expensive end. Germany is close to 109. Italy, at roughly 98, is near the European average, and Spain, around 92, is the cheapest of the five: the same basket of housing, food and services costs about a sixth less than in Germany. These are country-level averages: Amsterdam, London, Munich, Milan and Madrid all run hotter than their national index, especially on rent.

How to judge a cross-border job offer

First, convert your current salary into take-home pay — gross tells you nothing yet. Second, run it through the comparison above to get the equivalent gross in the destination. That number is your break-even line. Third, compare the actual offer to that line: above it, the move is a genuine raise; below it, you are taking a pay cut however large the figure looks. Finally, sanity-check the things no calculator captures — a capital-city rent premium, schooling, pension quality, and what your partner's income would do.

Remote work and the geo-arbitrage question

Remote workers face the same equation in reverse: keep a salary anchored to an expensive market and spend it where prices are lower. A UK-level salary spent in Spain buys dramatically more lifestyle — the tool quantifies exactly how much. But beware the fine print: spend more than 183 days in most countries and you become tax-resident there, which means local rates apply to your income. The arbitrage is real, but it follows the tax residency rules, not the other way round.

The mistakes people make

The classic error is comparing gross to gross — it flatters high-tax countries and undersells cheap ones. The second is ignoring the city premium: a national price index will not warn you about Amsterdam rents. The third is forgetting one-off relocation costs, which can swallow the first year's gain. For UK moves, add currency risk: a few cents on the euro-pound rate moves your real income more than most pay rises. And remember what the maths cannot weigh — healthcare access, pension systems, language, and how far your career compounds in each market.

Cost of living FAQ

Why do I need a different salary for the same lifestyle?

Two things change when you move: how much tax you pay and how much things cost. A lower gross can buy the same lifestyle in a cheaper country — or a higher one may be needed where taxes and prices are steeper.

How much do I need in Spain to match a €100,000 salary in Germany?

Around €72,800 gross in 2026. German deductions leave about €4,830 net per month; Spanish consumer prices are roughly 16% lower, and Spanish taxes on €72,800 leave the net that buys the same lifestyle.

Is the Netherlands more expensive than Germany?

Yes — Dutch consumer prices run about 6–7% above German ones on Eurostat's comparative index (around 116 vs 109 against the EU-27 average of 100).

Which country leaves the most take-home pay?

At typical mid incomes, the UK: 8% National Insurance and a 20% basic rate leave more in hand than German or Italian deductions. Spain is the gentlest of the euro countries at middle incomes; Germany and Italy carry the heaviest wedges.

Where does the price data come from?

From Eurostat's comparative price level indices, which compare the cost of household consumption across European countries against the EU-27 average.

Are city differences included?

Not yet — the comparison is at country level. Capitals are usually more expensive than the national average, so treat results as a starting point.

How accurate is the currency conversion?

UK comparisons use an approximate market exchange rate. For a precise figure, check a live rate — the result is an estimate for orientation.

Does a higher salary abroad always mean a better life?

No. If taxes and prices rise faster than the salary, a bigger number can buy a smaller life. Compare equivalent salaries — lifestyle for lifestyle — before judging an offer.