Central Europe for Software Engineers: Why Poland, Serbia, and Bulgaria Offer the Highest Purchasing Power in Europe
Central Europe leads Europe in developer purchasing power with 60% savings rates. Warsaw offers €100k+ roles, <15% freelancer tax. Levels.fyi data confirms Poland beats Switzerland when adjusted for cost of living.
Many devs automatically think of London, Amsterdam, or Zurich when planning their next career move in Europe.
At the beginning of this newsletter journey, I did too :)
And nothing wrong with that! These are all great cities.
Central Europe, on the other hand, often flies under the radar.
Even though it has:
- Lower living costs
- Competitive salaries (especially at top companies)
- A growing tech ecosystem driven by big tech companies expanding in the area
Explore Central European tech opportunities →
Why Central Europe is Surging for Tech Talent
Countries like Poland, Romania, the Czech Republic, and Serbia have all seen a surge in IT opportunities over the past decade.
Thanks to:
- Strong universities
- A focus on STEM education
- Well-established offshoring operations
These places now offer a blend of high-paying roles, vibrant cities, and a more affordable lifestyle compared to Western Europe.
If you value high savings rates, abundance of career options in tech, and a lower daily cost of living, Central Europe might just be your best bet.
The Levels.fyi Data That Changes Everything
Don't trust me? Take a look at the recently published levels.fyi heat map on salaries/cost-of-living.
If you just look at the raw salaries, Western Europe dominates. But when you toggle the "CoL Adjustment" on the left side of their tool...
It's gonna look quite a bit different.
This shouldn't come as a surprise if you've been following my content on European tech careers over the past year.
The Purchasing Power Leaders
| Region | Raw Salary Rank | CoL-Adjusted Rank | Key Insight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poland | Mid-tier | #1-2 in Europe | Highest purchasing power for devs |
| Serbia | Lower-tier | Top 5 in Europe | Explosive growth, low competition |
| Bulgaria | Lower-tier | Top 5 in Europe | Fastest-growing tech hub in Balkans |
| Germany | High | Drops significantly | High taxes erode real value |
| Switzerland | #1 absolute | Falls substantially | HCOL limits savings potential |
| Norway | Very high | Falls substantially | Similar dynamic to Switzerland |
Countries in Central Europe such as Poland, Serbia and Bulgaria are the ones with the HIGHEST PURCHASING POWER for devs in Europe.
Yes:
- Not Germany
- Not Switzerland
- Not Norway
And this doesn't even take into account a few things that are VERY important:
The Three Hidden Advantages Western Europe Can't Match
1. Taxation Advantages
The Levels.fyi graph only takes into account salary and cost-of-living.
Taxes (often higher in Western Europe) also play a huge role in purchasing power.
| Location | Typical Total Tax Burden | On €100k Package |
|---|---|---|
| Poland (freelancer) | <15% flat rate | ~€85k net |
| Poland (employee) | ~26-30% | ~€70-74k net |
| Serbia (freelancer) | ~20% | ~€80k net |
| Germany (employee) | 42-47% | ~€53-58k net |
| UK (employee) | 40-45% | ~€55-60k net |
| Switzerland (employee) | 30-35% | ~€65-70k net |
Compare these rates across cities using the salary and savings calculator.
2. Availability of Top Jobs
Levels.fyi is skewed towards big tech companies, which means that the average salaries reported there roughly represent the top 10% of the market.
But here's the catch: Central Europe has a higher availability AND GROWTH of top paying companies than Western Europe.
This means that you're much more likely to get a job at a top-paying company in this region.
| Factor | Central Europe | Western Europe |
|---|---|---|
| Big Tech offices opening | Rapidly expanding | Stable/consolidating |
| Competition per role | Lower | Very high |
| Interview volume | Growing | Saturated |
| Offer acceptance rates | Higher | Lower |
| Path to Big Tech | Easier | Harder |
3. The Remote Work Multiplier
Central Europe is 10x better than Western Europe if you want to work fully-remotely:
Fully-remote companies keep global pay rates, so your purchasing power and savings will be drastically better there thanks to lower costs and taxes.
Check out how to land €100k+ remote roles for detailed strategies.
If you want to dive deeper, give a look at the financial data covering salary, tax rate, lifestyle, family costs, and saving rates.
Poland: The Clear Leader
Poland has quietly become one of the most attractive destinations for developers in Europe.
Here's why:
The Complete Poland Advantage
| Factor | Details | Impact on Career |
|---|---|---|
| Salary Potential | Six-figure offers at Big Tech in Warsaw, Kraków | Top-tier compensation |
| Quality of Life | Modern infrastructure, safe cities, international community | Work-life balance |
| Tax Benefits | Freelancers <15%, employees ~26% on €100k packages | Maximum take-home |
| Competition | Fewer applicants vs Zurich/London | Easier to land roles |
| Tech Ecosystem | Google, Netflix, Amazon, NVIDIA, Snowflake expanding | Career growth |
| Real Estate | €150k for city-center apartment in Warsaw | Wealth building |
Learn more about why Poland leads Europe for software engineers.
Big Tech Warsaw Salary Ranges
| Level | Base Salary | Total Comp (incl. bonus/stock) |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level | €60-80k | €70-100k |
| Mid-level | €80-100k | €100-150k |
| Senior | €100-140k | €130-200k |
| Staff+ | €140-180k | €180-280k |
Though some still assume Poland lags behind Western Europe, the reality is that its tech scene is expanding rapidly.
Is Poland Safe from Military Conflicts?
Relevant question.
After all, it borders with both:
- Ukraine [directly involved in the conflict with Russia]
- Belarus [in 2025, a satellite-state of Russia]
This poses some risks.
The Security Picture
| Factor | Status | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Military Investment | Rapidly growing | Soon to be strongest army in Europe |
| NATO Membership | Full member | Article 5 collective defense |
| US Military Presence | Several bases | Strong deterrent |
| Ukraine Conflict | Moving toward negotiations | Potential stabilization in 2025 |
| Russian Capabilities | Strained by Ukraine conflict | Limited expansion capacity |
Poland:
- Steadily invests in its army (soon-to-be the strongest in Europe)
- Is part of NATO
- Hosts several US military bases
All of this should be a good enough deterrent against invasions.
Moreover, Ukraine and Russia seem to be moving towards a peace deal in 2025. And the US seems to be working towards bringing Russia on its side, pulling it from China (which 'could' cool down Russia's invasions in the region).
Also, Russia has been struggling to keep even just 20% of Ukraine, let alone expanding to the rest of Ukraine or other countries, especially well-prepared ones like Poland.
I think for now the situation is quite safe.
In case the conflict in Ukraine gets frozen, Russia keeps on with its military spending and Europe doesn't step up its security game, it could be that in some years the risks will increase.
So, while I think it's safe to be in Poland as of now, moving forward it's still advisable to monitor the situation and have a backup plan and location to move to—if needed.
Keep in mind I'm not an expert on this topic: I've only shared what I learned checking out news and discussing things with AI.
Making the Move: Your Action Plan
If you're considering Central Europe, here's what to do next:
- Browse current openings in Poland, Serbia, and Bulgaria
- Calculate your potential savings using the financial data tool
- Read the complete Poland guide in this deep-dive article
- Explore remote options that let you live in Central Europe—check remote job strategies
For a comprehensive career strategy, see our guide on location planning for financial independence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Central European country has the highest salaries for software engineers?
Poland leads Central Europe with the highest absolute salaries. Warsaw and Kraków offer €100-200k total compensation at big tech companies like Google, Amazon, Netflix, and Snowflake. Serbia and Bulgaria have lower absolute salaries (€40-80k locally, €60-100k at international companies) but even better purchasing power due to extremely low costs. For the best balance of high salaries AND high purchasing power, Warsaw is the optimal choice—especially with the large number of big tech offices actively expanding there.
How do Central European taxes compare to Western Europe for software engineers?
Central Europe offers significant tax advantages. Polish freelancers pay under 15% total tax (including social security). Polish employees pay ~26-30% on €100k packages with favorable stock taxation at 19% flat. Compare this to Germany (42-47%), UK (40-45%), or France (45-50%). Serbia offers ~20% total tax burden for contractors. These tax savings alone can mean €15-25k more in your pocket annually on the same gross salary. Combined with lower living costs, your effective wealth building can be 2-3x faster than in Western Europe.
Is it safe to relocate to Poland given its proximity to Russia and Ukraine?
Poland is currently considered safe for several reasons: it's a NATO member with Article 5 protection, hosts multiple US military bases, and is rapidly becoming the strongest military in Europe. Russia has struggled to take even 20% of Ukraine despite two years of conflict—expansion to a NATO member like Poland would require capabilities Russia simply doesn't have. The conflict appears to be moving toward negotiation in 2025. That said, prudent planning includes monitoring geopolitical developments and having a backup plan. Many engineers in Poland maintain flexibility through remote work options and EU citizenship benefits.
Can I get a remote job paying Western salaries while living in Central Europe?
Yes, this is one of Central Europe's biggest advantages. Many fully-remote companies maintain global or Western pay rates regardless of your location. A €100-150k remote salary from a US or Western European company, combined with Polish living costs (€15-25k/year) and freelancer tax rates (<15%), can yield 60-70% savings rates—€70-100k saved per year. This is the "geoarbitrage" strategy that makes Central Europe optimal for wealth building. Browse remote opportunities paying global rates on the job board.
What's the cost of living difference between Warsaw and Zurich or London?
Warsaw costs roughly 50-60% less than Zurich and 40-50% less than London. Rent for a nice one-bedroom in Warsaw city center: €800-1,200/month vs €2,000-2,500 in Zurich or €1,800-2,500 in London. A restaurant meal: €10-15 vs €40-60 in Zurich. Monthly total expenses for a comfortable single lifestyle: €1,500-2,000 in Warsaw vs €4,000-5,000 in Zurich. This means a €100k salary in Warsaw has roughly the same purchasing power as €180-200k in Zurich—with lower taxes on top.
Should I learn Polish before moving to Poland for a tech job?
Not necessary for work—English is the working language at international tech companies in Warsaw, Kraków, and other major cities. Most younger Poles speak excellent English. However, basic Polish will significantly improve your daily life: shopping, restaurants, making friends, and general integration. Many expats find learning conversational Polish over 6-12 months makes a big difference in quality of life. Start with apps like Duolingo before arriving, then take classes locally. The Slavic languages are challenging but very rewarding.