How to Land $100k+ Fully-Remote Dev Jobs in Europe (Complete 2025 Guide)
Land $100k-$600k remote dev jobs from anywhere in Europe. Target US startups with $10M-100M funding, optimize for low taxes and cost of living. Full strategy inside.
Yes, you can make $100k+ as a software engineer working remotely from Europe.
In fact, you can make much more: $200k, $300k, even up to $500k-$600k.
Of course, hitting the higher end of this range isn't easy, but six-figure remote salaries are absolutely possible.
Browse remote opportunities now →
What "Fully Remote" Really Means
Let me be clear about what I mean by "fully remote":
❌ Not just working from high-paying cities like Zurich or London
✅ Having the flexibility to live anywhere in Europe while working for top-paying companies
This includes Spain, Greece, Eastern Europe, Turkey, and many other countries.
With the right setup, you can optimize for:
- Lower taxes
- Lower cost of living
- A high-quality lifestyle
This is the LCLT strategy (Low-Cost, Low-Tax) that many smart engineers are now using to maximize their wealth-building potential.
The Remote Salary Reality in Europe
| Remote Role Level | Salary Range | Company Type | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senior Engineer | $100k-$150k | EU Remote Companies | Medium |
| Senior Engineer | $120k-$200k | US Startups (Series A-C) | High |
| Staff Engineer | $150k-$250k | US Scale-ups | Very High |
| Principal/Staff | $200k-$400k | US Big Tech (Remote) | Extremely High |
| Contractor (Senior) | $150k-$200k | Fortune 500 | Medium-High |
| Freelance (Top-tier) | $200k-$600k | Multiple Clients | Varies |
How to Get a Six-Figure Remote Job
1. Find the Right Companies
Most of these roles come from American startups: usually fast-growing companies with $10M-$100M in funding.
Some European companies offer similar setups, but US startups tend to pay more because:
- They're competing with US local talent
- They have VC funding to spend
- They've adopted remote-first culture
If you're a contractor, even European Fortune 500 companies can pay well ($150k-$200k range).
Use the platform comparison guide to find where these companies post jobs.
2. Be a Top-Tier Developer
These companies hire remotely to attract top talent without paying SF/NYC salaries.
You don't need to be an ex-FAANG engineer, but you should have skills that could land you a role at Google or Facebook.
| Skill Level | Realistic Remote Salary | What It Takes |
|---|---|---|
| Strong Mid-Level | $80k-$100k | 3-4 years, solid fundamentals |
| Senior (Generalist) | $100k-$130k | 5+ years, proven impact |
| Senior (Specialist) | $130k-$180k | Deep expertise in high-demand area |
| Staff+ | $180k-$300k+ | Technical leadership, system design |
High-demand specializations that command premium remote salaries:
- ML/AI Engineering
- Platform/Infrastructure
- Security/DevSecOps
- Distributed Systems
3. Pass the Interviews
Expect a few big tech-style interviews:
- LeetCode-style algorithm problems
- System design discussions
- Domain-specific deep dives
Some companies also test real-world skills with:
- Take-home projects
- Debugging sessions
- Live coding on real tickets
- Pair programming exercises
For preparation strategies, check the career guides section.
4. Apply with Referrals
These startups don't have massive HR teams filtering thousands of applications.
They prioritize candidates from their network, so strong online networking is crucial.
How to build your referral network:
- Be active on Twitter/X in tech communities
- Contribute to open source projects
- Engage on LinkedIn with industry content
- Attend virtual meetups and conferences
- Build relationships with recruiters at target companies
The End Result: Location-Optimized Income
| Living Location | €120k Remote Salary | Tax Rate | Monthly Savings | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poland (Warsaw) | €120k | 12-19% | €6,500+ | €78k+ |
| Portugal (Lisbon, NHR) | €120k | 20% | €5,500+ | €66k+ |
| Greece (Athens) | €120k | 22-25% | €5,000+ | €60k+ |
| Spain (Remote Visa) | €120k | 24-30% | €4,500+ | €54k+ |
| Germany (Berlin) | €120k | 35-42% | €3,500 | €42k |
The same salary produces vastly different outcomes based on where you choose to live.
Use the financial data tool to model your specific situation.
What Makes This Strategy Work
💰 Six-figure salary while living wherever you want
❤️ Freedom to optimize for lifestyle, cost of living, and taxes
🌴 Flexibility without being tied to high-cost cities
This is how many engineers are making $100k-$300k+ remotely from Europe.
If you're looking to break into this market, networking, referrals, and preparation are key.
Next Steps
- Browse current remote opportunities
- Explore which cities optimize your savings
- Read the LCLT strategy guide
- Find the best platforms for remote jobs
Frequently Asked Questions
What funding stage of US startups pays best for remote European engineers?
Series A to Series C startups (typically $10M-$100M raised) hit the sweet spot. They have enough funding to pay competitive salaries ($120k-$200k) but are still hungry for top talent and willing to hire remotely. Pre-seed and seed companies often can't afford market rates, while late-stage or public companies may have location-based pay adjustments. Look for companies on Crunchbase that raised in the last 12-18 months—they're actively building teams.
Do US companies pay remote European engineers the same as US-based employees?
No, most have location-based pay bands. Expect 60-80% of US local salaries, which still translates to $100k-$200k for senior roles. Some companies (GitLab, Automattic, Deel) pay globally competitive rates regardless of location. During negotiation, ask explicitly about their compensation philosophy. Even at 70% of US rates, you'll likely out-earn local European salaries significantly.
How do taxes work when working remotely for a US company from Europe?
You're typically taxed where you physically live, not where the company is headquartered. Most arrangements: US company hires you as a contractor (you handle your own taxes and benefits), or they use an Employer of Record (EOR) like Deel or Remote.com to employ you compliantly. The EOR handles payroll and local tax compliance. Either way, research your country's tax obligations—Poland's 12% flat tax or Portugal's NHR regime can significantly boost take-home pay.
What time zone overlap do US companies typically require?
Most require 3-5 hours of overlap with US Eastern or Pacific time. For European engineers, this usually means starting your day around noon and working until 8-9 PM local time. Some roles are fully async with no overlap requirements—these are gold for lifestyle optimization but rarer and more competitive. During interviews, clarify expectations explicitly. Many engineers prefer the afternoon/evening schedule as it leaves mornings free for personal activities.
How competitive is landing these remote roles compared to local European jobs?
Significantly more competitive. You're competing against talent from across Europe, South America, and sometimes globally. Expect 3-5x more applicants per role compared to local positions. However, the payoff justifies the effort: instead of €60k locally, you're targeting €120k+ remote. The strategy: apply to more positions (20-30 per month), optimize your profile for remote work experience, and leverage referrals aggressively. Most engineers need 3-6 months of focused job searching to land their first high-paying remote role.
Can I realistically reach $300k-$600k remotely from Europe?
Yes, but it requires either: (1) reaching Staff/Principal level at US Big Tech companies that hire remotely (rare), (2) high-end contracting/consulting with multiple clients ($200-400/hour), or (3) building an agency or productized service. The $100k-$200k range is achievable for strong senior engineers within 1-2 years of focused effort. Beyond $200k requires exceptional skills, network, or entrepreneurial approach. Most engineers optimize for the $120k-$180k sweet spot with excellent work-life balance rather than pushing for maximum income.