Why the same salary buys a different life across Europe
A €60,000 offer in Amsterdam is not the same deal as €60,000 in Berlin or Madrid. Income tax is progressive almost everywhere, but social security is where the big hidden gap lives: Germany takes about 20.5% for pension, health, unemployment and care on top of income tax, Belgium 13.07% with no ceiling, France around 22%, while the Netherlands folds social security into its income-tax brackets. That is why two neighbours can keep very different amounts from identical gross pay.
2026 tax snapshots used by this calculator
| Country | Income tax (simplified 2026) | Employee social security |
|---|---|---|
| 🇩🇪 Germany | 0% to €12,096, then 14% → 45% progressive | ~20.5% up to ~€96,600 |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | 35.75% / 37.56% / 49.5% (Box 1, social incl.) | Included in brackets |
| 🇫🇷 France | 0% → 45% in 5 bands | ~22% up to ~€47,100 |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | 19% → 47% combined state + regional | ~6.35% up to ~€56,646 |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | 23% / 25% / 43% (IRPEF) | ~9.19% up to ~€55,008 |
| 🇮🇪 Ireland | 20% to €44,000, 40% above (+ USC & PRSI) | USC + 4.1% PRSI |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 0% to £12,570, then 20% / 40% / 45% | 8% NI, 2% above £50,270 |
| 🇵🇱 Poland | 12% to 120,000 zł, 32% above | ~13.71% + 9% health |
| 🇵🇹 Portugal | 13.25% → 48% in 9 bands | 11% uncapped |
| 🇧🇪 Belgium | 25% → 50% in 4 bands | 13.07% uncapped |
| 🇦🇹 Austria | 0% to €13,308, then 20% → 55% | ~18.12% up to ~€90,300 |
| 🇸🇪 Sweden | ~32% municipal + 20% state above ~615k kr | Included via employer |
Married couples often pay less thanks to joint taxation (Germany's Ehegattensplitting, France's quotient familial) — this calculator shows the single-employee baseline, so treat couples' results as conservative.
How to use this for a real job decision
- Enter the gross offer in the country's own currency.
- Tick "compare" and add the other country you're choosing between.
- Set payslips to 13 or 14 for Austria, Spain, Portugal or Italy offers.
- Read the effective rate — the true % the state keeps — not just the top bracket.
- Sanity-check with costs: pair your net with our loan/mortgage calculator to see what housing eats in each city.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is this European net salary calculator?
It uses simplified 2026 income-tax brackets and standard employee social-security rates, so it is a close estimate for a typical single employee — usually within a few percent. Real payroll adds tax credits, church tax and regional surcharges, so treat it as a planning estimate, not payroll advice.
Why is net pay so different between European countries?
Tax and social-security structures differ: Belgium and Germany combine steep progressive tax with heavy social charges, the Netherlands integrates social security into its brackets, and Ireland starts its 40% band relatively high. Use comparison mode to see the gap for one gross figure.
What are 13th and 14th month salaries?
In Austria, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece many contracts pay 13 or 14 salaries a year (holiday + Christmas bonuses). Select 13 or 14 payslips above to split your annual net correctly when comparing offers.
Does it include social security?
Yes — the employee's share (pension, health, unemployment, care) at standard 2026 rates and ceilings. Employer contributions are excluded since they never reach your payslip.
Which country keeps most of €60,000?
For a single employee, Ireland and the Netherlands usually leave the highest net; Belgium and Germany the least. Run the comparison to see exact numbers for your situation.
🔗 See also
- Loan & Mortgage Calculator — what housing costs from your net pay
- VAT Calculator Europe — what you pay on top of prices
- Invoice Generator — bill clients as a freelancer
- Freelancer Invoicing in Europe 2026 — get paid across borders
- Free Tools for European Freelancers — the full toolkit