Salary & cost of living
Net salary calculator: see what you actually take home
Find out what lands in your account after income tax and social security — in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain or Italy. Enter your gross salary and get an instant 2026 estimate.
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Estimate for the 2026 tax year. Assumes a single employee, no dependants, standard situation. · Source: HMRC
This is a simplified estimate for general guidance, not tax advice. Real take-home pay varies with region, tax class, dependants, benefits and deductions. Check the official source for your exact figure.
How your take-home pay is worked out
- Income tax: every country applies progressive rates to your taxable income — the more you earn, the higher the rate on the top slice.
- Social security: pension, health and unemployment contributions are deducted before you ever see your salary (in the Netherlands these are bundled into the headline rate).
- Allowances and credits: tax-free allowances and work credits reduce the bill, which is why your effective rate is always lower than the headline top rate.
Net salary FAQ
- How accurate is this calculator?
- It is a solid 2026 estimate for a single employee in a standard situation. Your exact net depends on region, tax class, dependants and deductions, so treat it as guidance and confirm with the official source.
- Gross vs net — what is the difference?
- Gross is your salary before deductions. Net (take-home) is what lands in your account after income tax and social security.
- Why is my effective rate lower than the top rate?
- Progressive systems tax only the top slice of income at the top rate, and tax-free allowances and credits reduce the total — so your average rate is always lower than the headline percentage.
- Can I compare two countries?
- Yes — use our cost of living comparison to see what your salary is really worth from one country to another.