Net Salary in European Countries
The table shows each European country's calculator at a typical local salary, in euro or the country's own currency.
| Country | Example gross a year | Net a year | Tax and contributions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Armenia | ֏3,600,000.00 | ֏2,630,400.00 | 26.9% |
| Austria | €4,000.00 | €4,000.00 | 0.0% |
| Azerbaijan | ₼14,400.00 | ₼12,408.00 | 13.8% |
| Belgium | €49,000.00 | €31,891.87 | 34.9% |
| Bulgaria | €17,400.00 | €13,502.05 | 22.4% |
| Croatia | €24,000.00 | €16,440.00 | 31.5% |
| Cyprus | €28,000.00 | €24,235.20 | 13.4% |
| Czech Republic | CZK 588,000.00 | CZK 462,432.00 | 21.4% |
| Denmark | DKK 600,000.00 | DKK 383,423.55 | 36.1% |
| Estonia | €25,200.00 | €20,796.38 | 17.5% |
| Finland | €48,000.00 | €34,847.49 | 27.4% |
| France | €43,000.00 | €31,413.46 | 26.9% |
| Germany | €54,000.00 | €34,453.00 | 36.2% |
| Greece | €18,000.00 | €14,279.85 | 20.7% |
| Hungary | HUF 8,640,000 | HUF 5,745,600 | 33.5% |
| Ireland | €50,000.00 | €39,592.18 | 20.8% |
| Italy | €33,000.00 | €25,018.82 | 24.2% |
| Latvia | €21,600.00 | €16,085.34 | 25.5% |
| Lithuania | €28,800.00 | €17,750.33 | 38.4% |
| Luxembourg | €60,000.00 | €44,387.54 | 26.0% |
| Malta | €33,000.00 | €25,241.64 | 23.5% |
| Netherlands | €47,520.00 | €37,911.94 | 20.2% |
| Poland | PLN 112,800.00 | PLN 80,854.96 | 28.3% |
| Portugal | €25,000.00 | €19,057.02 | 23.8% |
| Romania | RON 116,400.00 | RON 68,094.00 | 41.5% |
| Scotland | £40,000.00 | £32,254.53 | 19.4% |
| Spain | €28,000.00 | €22,101.84 | 21.1% |
| Sweden | SEK 516,000.00 | SEK 404,438.35 | 21.6% |
| Switzerland | CHF 85,000.00 | CHF 67,483.46 | 20.6% |
| Turkey | ₺600,000.00 | ₺466,135.57 | 22.3% |
| Ukraine | ₴396,000.00 | ₴304,920.00 | 23.0% |
| United Kingdom | £39,000.00 | £31,599.60 | 19.0% |
Why European Payroll Deductions Are Higher
European employees pay more out of gross pay mainly because social insurance funds pensions, health care and unemployment through payroll. In Germany the employee share alone is about a fifth of gross pay before income tax; in France social contributions come before tax is calculated. In exchange, health care and much of retirement are covered without separate premiums.
Euro and Non Euro Countries
Twenty-one countries use the euro since Bulgaria joined on January 1, 2026, which makes net salaries easy to compare: Germany, France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Ireland, Portugal, Finland, Greece, Luxembourg, Bulgaria and others. The United Kingdom pays in pounds, Switzerland in francs, Poland in zloty, Sweden and Denmark in their own kronor, so convert at the current rate before comparing.
Monthly Salaries and Holiday Pay in Europe
Most European contracts state a monthly gross salary, and many add extra payments: 14 salaries in Austria, an 8% holiday allowance in the Netherlands, a double holiday payment in Belgium. Switch the calculator to monthly to match a payslip, and use the yearly figure when you compare offers.
Working Across Borders in the EU
Inside the European Union, social security follows the country where you work, under EU coordination rules, while income tax depends on residence and the tax treaty between the two countries. Cross-border commuters, such as residents of France working in Luxembourg, often pay social contributions in the work country and settle income tax under special treaty rules.
Sources for the European Figures
Each country page is built from its own tax authority and social security agency for 2026 and names the sources and assumptions, such as the canton used for Switzerland or the tax class used for Germany.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which European countries use the euro?
Twenty-one EU countries, including Germany, France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Ireland and, since January 1, 2026, Bulgaria. The UK, Switzerland, Poland, Sweden and Denmark keep their own currencies.
Is there a European income tax?
No. Each country sets its own income tax and social contributions; the EU coordinates only which country's social security applies.
How do I compare salaries in different currencies?
Convert each net salary to one currency at the current exchange rate, then adjust for living costs such as rent.
Why is my German net pay so much lower than gross?
German payroll takes pension, health, long-term care and unemployment insurance as well as wage tax and the solidarity surcharge where it applies.
Does the United Kingdom count as Europe here?
Yes. The UK and Scotland pages are listed with the other European countries, calculated in pounds.