Tech Careers in Europe: How to Strategise and Thrive

Tech careers in Europe can be extremely rewarding—and profitable—if you know how to navigate the market.

Engineers have way more opportunities in the US than they do in Europe.

But, I would argue that, at least in some ways, it's easier to "win" as a software engineer in Europe than in the US.

The competition can be less fierce in Europe, because many developers here don't take the time to strategically study the market.

If you're willing to put in the effort, there's significant opportunity.

So, how do you effectively strategise your tech career in Europe?

Explore strategic career opportunities →

Why Strategic Thinking Matters More in Europe

In the US, the tech ecosystem is so developed that you can somewhat "go with the flow" and still end up with a decent outcome.

Not so in Europe.

The European Tech Landscape

Factor	United States	Europe	Strategic Advantage
Tech companies	Thousands of high-paying options	Concentrated in specific cities/countries	Know where to look
Salary ranges	$150k-$500k+ widely available	€40k-€200k+ highly location-dependent	Geographic arbitrage
Competition	Intense across the board	Less fierce if you're strategic	Study the market
Information	Abundant (Blind, Levels.fyi)	Less organized	Research gives edge
Mobility	One country, one language	Multiple countries, visa issues	Plan carefully

The opportunity: Most European developers stay local, don't research options, don't relocate.

Your advantage: If you're willing to be strategic, you can access opportunities most peers miss.

For more context on the European tech landscape, see our market analysis.

Step 1: Look Inward

Before diving into job searches or big career moves, it's important to do some self-reflection. Consider the following:

What Are Your Strengths and Unfair Advantages?

Are you particularly strong in a specific technology? Do you have a unique background that sets you apart?

Common unfair advantages for European devs:

Advantage	How It Helps	How to Leverage
Willingness to relocate	Access to Switzerland/London salaries	Target high-paying markets
Multiple languages	Work in different countries	Apply across Europe
Technical depth	Stand out in interviews	Target companies valuing depth
Strong fundamentals	European education often emphasizes theory	Excel at algorithm interviews
EU citizenship	No visa requirements in EU	Easier mobility than non-EU peers
Low cost of living tolerance	Can maximize savings in LCLT	Remote work from Poland/Portugal

Think about what makes you different. What can you do that most developers in your local market can't or won't do?

What Are Your Lifestyle Preferences?

Do you want a flexible schedule? Do you care more about work-life balance or maximizing income?

Key questions to answer:

• Location: City vs suburbs? Warm vs cold climate? Near family?
• Schedule: Standard 9-6? Flexible? Fully remote?
• Growth: Fast-paced startup? Stable big corp?
• Work intensity: 40hr weeks? 50hr weeks acceptable?
• Income priority: Maximize money? Or balance with lifestyle?

For insights on balancing career ambition with lifestyle, see our guide on avoiding burnout.

What Are Your Limitations?

These could be location-based, skill-related, or even personal preferences. Knowing these will help you set realistic goals and expectations.

Common limitations:

• Can't relocate (family commitments)
• Weak at algorithm interviews
• Need visa sponsorship
• Prefer backend/frontend only
• Can't handle high-stress environments
• Need specific work-life balance

The key: Design your strategy around your limitations rather than pretending they don't exist.

Can't relocate? → Focus on remote opportunities from your current location.

Weak at algorithms? → Target companies with practical interviews, or invest time improving.

Calculate your optimal career path →

Step 2: Choose the Right Path for You

Once you've gained clarity on your strengths, preferences, and limitations, the next step is to assess which career path best suits your situation.

Here are a few options to consider:

Path 1: Big Tech Careers in Europe

Companies like FAANG offer decent stability (at least in Europe), high pay, and great perks, but can be highly competitive.

Overview:

Aspect	Details
Salary range	€80k-€200k+ total compensation
Locations	London, Dublin, Amsterdam, Zurich, Berlin
Best for	Strong technical skills, can pass algorithm interviews
Challenges	Competitive interviews, some cities have high cost of living
Timeline	6-18 months preparation + applications

Who this works for:

• Strong technical fundamentals
• Can dedicate time to interview prep
• Want brand name on CV
• Willing to relocate to specific cities

See our detailed guide on landing big tech jobs in Europe.

Path 2: High-Paying Swiss Careers

Switzerland offers some of the highest salaries for software engineers, with a focus on finance and enterprise tech. It might be worth exploring if maximising income is your priority.

Overview:

Aspect	Details
Salary range	€80k-€180k (CHF 90k-200k) for individual contributors
Locations	Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Lausanne
Best for	Maximizing income in Europe
Challenges	High cost of living, need German/French in some roles
Timeline	3-12 months applications

Swiss career economics:

Salary	Cost of Living	Annual Savings	5-Year Wealth
CHF 100k (~€95k)	CHF 60k (~€57k)	€35k-€40k/year	€175k-€200k
CHF 140k (~€133k)	CHF 65k (~€62k)	€65k-€70k/year	€325k-€350k
CHF 180k (~€171k)	CHF 70k (~€67k)	€95k-€100k/year	€475k-€500k

For a comprehensive breakdown, see our Switzerland guide.

Path 3: Fully-Remote High-Paying Jobs

Remote work offers flexibility and freedom, especially if you're looking to live in different countries. There are many high-paying remote opportunities out there, but landing offers often requires networking and being in the right circles.

Overview:

Aspect	Details
Salary range	€80k-€150k+ depending on company and experience
Locations	Work from anywhere (optimize for low tax/cost)
Best for	Independence, location flexibility, maximizing savings rate
Challenges	Finding legitimate high-paying remote roles, timezone requirements
Timeline	3-12 months networking + applications

Remote + LCLT economics:

Salary	Location	Annual Costs	Annual Savings	5-Year Wealth
€100k	Poland/Portugal	€25k-€30k	€70k-€75k	€350k-€375k
€120k	Poland/Portugal	€28k-€33k	€87k-€92k	€435k-€460k
€140k	Poland/Portugal	€30k-€35k	€105k-€110k	€525k-€550k

Why this can be the best path: Highest savings rate, maximum lifestyle flexibility, no commute.

See our guides on remote work opportunities and LCLT strategy.

Comparing the Three Paths

Path	5-Year Wealth Potential	Lifestyle Flexibility	Interview Difficulty	Best For
Big Tech Europe	€200k-€350k	Medium	Hard	Brand building, learning
Swiss Careers	€300k-€500k	Low-Medium	Medium	Maximizing W2 income
Remote LCLT	€350k-€550k	High	Medium	Independence, savings

Explore all three paths on our job board →

Step 3: Make an Action Plan and Execute

The most important part of strategising your tech career is taking action.

Here's how:

Figure Out the Details of Your Chosen Path

Understand the industry, the companies, and the roles you're targeting. Learn the ins and outs so you know where to position yourself: where to apply, how the interviews work, what it takes to land and succeed in these positions, etc.

Big Tech Europe:

• Companies: Google, Meta, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft offices
• Interview: Leetcode medium/hard, system design
• Application: Referrals help, strong CV needed
• Timeline: 2-6 months from application to offer

Swiss Careers:

• Companies: Google Zurich, UBS, Credit Suisse, Swiss startups, consultancies
• Interview: Varies (big tech = hard, others = medium)
• Application: Direct applications work, networking helps
• Timeline: 1-4 months from application to offer

Remote LCLT:

• Companies: US/UK startups and scale-ups, remote-first companies
• Interview: Practical coding, system design, culture fit
• Application: Networking crucial, cold applications harder
• Timeline: 3-6 months building network + applications

Check out our comprehensive guides section for step-by-step playbooks.

Prioritise Effectively

Ask yourself: What's the number one priority right now? Where do I want to be in a year? Having a clear sense of direction is crucial.

Priority matrix for career planning:

Current Situation	Priority 1	Priority 2	Priority 3
Junior (0-2 years)	Get experience anywhere	Learn fundamentals	Build portfolio
Mid-level (2-5 years)	Move to higher-paying market	Build savings buffer	Improve interview skills
Senior (5+ years)	Optimize location/salary	Maximize savings rate	Build leverage

The key: Don't try to do everything at once. Pick the one most important thing and focus there.

Execute Energetically

Moving the needle requires consistent effort. You have to put in the work day after day to see progress. Whether it's learning a new skill, preparing for interviews, or building your network—be proactive.

Weekly execution checklist:

Day	Activity	Time Commitment
Mon/Wed/Fri	Apply to 3-5 companies	1-2 hours
Tue/Thu	Study technical topics (algorithms, system design)	1-2 hours
Weekend	Portfolio project work, networking	2-4 hours
Daily	LinkedIn engagement, job research	15-30 min

Total weekly commitment: 10-15 hours on top of your current job.

Yes, it's a lot. But it's temporary (6-12 months) and the ROI is 2x-3x salary increase.

For tactical advice on early career execution, see our early career tips.

Accept the Need for Change

If you're currently in a situation where you feel stuck—whether it's a company that isn't paying you well, a location without opportunities, or a lifestyle that doesn't make you happy—then it's time to change something.

Recognising the need for change is often the hardest step, but it's crucial.

Signs You Need a Strategic Career Change

Financial signals:

• Salary below market for your experience level
• Little to no savings after expenses
• Can't afford desired lifestyle
• Stuck in golden handcuffs with no upside

Career signals:

• Not learning anything new
• No clear path to promotion
• Company/industry declining
• Feel undervalued and underpaid

Lifestyle signals:

• Commute draining your energy
• Location making you unhappy
• Work-life balance unsustainable
• Missing out on life goals due to work

If 3+ of these are true, you need strategic change.

Start exploring better opportunities →

Make a Plan and Stay Positive

Change doesn't happen overnight, and your plan doesn't have to be perfect.

Start with what you know, take action, and iterate along the way.

Sample 12-Month Strategic Plan

Months 1-3: Preparation Phase

• Research target path (Big Tech / Swiss / Remote)
• Update CV and portfolio
• Start technical interview prep
• Save €5k-€10k emergency buffer
• Goal: Ready to apply seriously

Months 4-9: Application Phase

• Apply to 10+ companies per week
• Target: 50-100 applications total
• Interview practice and feedback loops
• Continue technical prep
• Goal: Land 2-3 offers

Months 10-12: Transition Phase

• Accept best offer
• Relocate if needed (or set up remote work)
• Adjust to new role
• Optimize savings rate
• Goal: Successfully transitioned

Remember to stay positive—most likely, your overall situation isn't as bad as it feels.

You have skills, motivation, and work ethic.

With a clear plan and a proactive mindset, things will improve over time.

A Personal Insight: Finding the Right Fit

Years ago, I thought I wanted to climb the big tech ladder.

I believed that this was the ultimate goal—until I spent time in those big tech circles and realised it wasn't what I imagined.

Few of the senior folks I met made me think, "In 10 years, I want this to be my life."

The Reality Behind the Titles

What You See on LinkedIn	What You Don't See
Senior Engineer at Google	50-60 hour weeks
$300k total compensation	Intense performance pressure
Prestigious brand	Politics and promo grinds
Cool projects	Limited autonomy on team choices
Career success	Burnout and relationship strain

The reality is, we often only see the highlights of others' careers—titles, salaries, prestigious companies—but life has so many more variables that aren't visible on LinkedIn.

It's important to set goals, but be careful not to put them on too high a pedestal. What works for others might not necessarily be what works for you.

Find your own path—one that aligns with your values, lifestyle, and long-term happiness.

For more on intentional career planning, see our comprehensive strategy guide.

Take One Step at a Time

You don't need to have everything figured out today.

Just focus on making progress, one step at a time.

Over time, things will start to fall into place.

Your First Week Action Plan

Day 1-2: Self-reflection

• Write down your strengths, preferences, limitations
• Identify which of the 3 paths appeals most
• Set specific goal (e.g., "€120k remote job within 12 months")

Day 3-4: Market research

• Read 5-10 articles from our blog
• Check salaries on Levels.fyi for target roles
• Browse our job board to see what's available
• Calculate potential savings at our financial tool

Day 5-6: Preparation

• Update CV with achievements and metrics
• Audit portfolio projects (need 2-3 solid ones)
• List 20 target companies
• Create spreadsheet to track applications

Day 7: First actions

• Apply to 5 companies
• Start first technical interview study session
• Join 2 relevant communities (Reddit, Discord, LinkedIn groups)
• Schedule recurring calendar blocks for career work

The key: Start this week. Not "someday." This week.

You got this!

Related Resources

• Top 3 Career Paths for European Developers
• Intentionality: The #1 Trait for Career Success
• How to Make €100k as a Software Engineer in Europe
• Complete Career Planning Guides

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it realistically take to transition from a low-paying European market to a high-paying one?

Most successful transitions take 12-18 months from decision to new job, though it varies by path and circumstances. Timeline breakdown: Months 0-3 (Preparation): Research target market, update CV/portfolio, save emergency buffer (€5k-€10k), begin technical interview prep. Months 3-9 (Active search): Apply to 100+ positions over 6 months (10-20 per week), interview with 10-20 companies, iterate based on feedback. Months 9-12 (Offer + transition): Receive offers, negotiate, accept, relocate if needed. Reality check: Junior devs (0-2 years exp) may need 18-24 months to build enough experience first. Mid-level devs (2-5 years) can often do it in 12-15 months. Senior devs (5+ years) sometimes in 6-12 months if they have strong profile. What speeds it up: Referrals (cut timeline 30%), existing savings buffer (less desperation), strong portfolio (better response rates), willingness to relocate (more opportunities). What slows it down: Weak technical interview skills (need more prep time), no savings (can't take time for proper search), limited portfolio (need to build projects first), unrealistic expectations (targeting too senior/high-comp roles). Path differences: Big Tech Europe (12-18 months due to interview difficulty), Swiss careers (6-12 months, less competitive interviews), Remote LCLT (12-24 months, networking takes time). See our career transformation stories for real examples.

What if I can't relocate due to family commitments? Are my career options limited?

Not at all—remote work from your current location can be equally or more lucrative than relocating, especially if you're in LCOL country. The remote advantage: No relocation costs, no uprooting family, potentially better savings rate if already in LCOL, maintain family/friend support network, keep kids in current schools. Salary expectations for remote roles: €80k-€120k for mid-level (2-5 years experience), €120k-€160k+ for senior (5+ years experience), €150k+ for staff/principal level. Strategy if you can't relocate: Step 1: Target remote-first companies (GitLab, Zapier, Automattic, Buffer, etc.), US startups hiring in Europe, your current company's remote positions. Step 2: Build remote-friendly profile—strong GitHub, good communication skills (async writing), proven ability to work independently, visible online presence. Step 3: Network strategically—join remote work communities, attend virtual conferences, connect with remote workers on LinkedIn, get referrals. Step 4: Optimize location advantage—if you're in LCOL (Poland, Portugal, Romania), you can save more than someone in Zurich on higher salary. €100k remote in Poland → €75k saved/year is better than €130k on-site Zurich → €60k saved/year. Reality: Remote work is now mainstream post-COVID. If anything, you have more options now than people locked into HCOL cities. The key is positioning yourself as remote-ready professional. See our remote work guides for detailed tactics.

I'm in my mid-30s with family and mortgage. Is it too late to strategically improve my career?

No—mid-30s with responsibilities means you need age-appropriate strategy, not that opportunity is gone. Your advantages at mid-30s: 10+ years experience (valuable), likely senior-level already, better communication/professionalism than 20-somethings, clearer self-knowledge, network built over decade. Your constraints: Mortgage (harder to relocate), family (can't take big risks), potentially golden handcuffs (used to certain lifestyle), time pressure (want results faster). Optimal mid-30s strategy: If you can't relocate: Negotiate remote at current company (use market offers as leverage), or find remote role €100k-€140k, stay in current city. If you can relocate: Target Switzerland or high-paying remote → relocate family once, then stabilize. One big move vs many small ones. If you can't do either: Optimize locally—job hop to better company in same city (20-30% raise), reduce expenses, maximize savings rate, build toward financial independence. Timeline: You likely have 15-20 years to retirement, 10-15 years of peak earning. Plenty of time. Math example: Age 35, currently €70k local job, saved €30k. Path A (no strategy): €70k → €82k by 45 (3% raises), total saved €130k by 45. Path B (strategic): €70k → €120k remote by 36 (one year search) → job hop to €140k by 38 → total saved €850k by 45. Difference: €720k more wealth. The key: Strategic career moves matter MORE when you have family/mortgage because financial stakes are higher. You can't afford to waste earning years. Don't let "I have responsibilities" become excuse for not optimizing. Use it as motivation. See our location planning guide for family-friendly strategies.

What are the biggest mistakes European developers make when strategizing their careers?

The three most common strategic errors: (1) staying too local, (2) not researching market rates, (3) prioritizing comfort over growth early in career. Mistake #1: Geographic inertia (staying in low-paying local market). What it looks like: Mid-level dev in Spain making €45k when could make €100k+ remote or €130k+ Switzerland. Reasoning: "I like my city", "moving is hard", "I'll do it later". Why it's costly: Every year staying at €45k vs €100k = €55k opportunity cost. 5 years = €275k+ lost wealth (including compound interest). Fix: At minimum, negotiate remote work and stay in preferred city. Or relocate once early in career, build wealth, return later from position of strength. Mistake #2: Not knowing market rates (accepting underpaid offers without research). What it looks like: Getting offer €75k and accepting immediately because "it's more than current €60k". Not knowing market rate is €95k-€110k for that role/location. Why it's costly: Starting salary compounds—every future raise is % of underpaid base. €75k → €77k → €79k vs €100k → €103k → €106k. Gap widens forever. Fix: Before accepting ANY offer, check Levels.fyi, ask in communities, talk to recruiters. Know your worth. Always negotiate (even 5-10% adds up). Mistake #3: Optimizing for comfort too early (choosing "chill" job at 25-30 when should build skills/savings). What it looks like: Age 27, choosing €65k cushy job with easy work over €95k challenging but high-growth role. Reasoning: "I want work-life balance", "I don't want stress". Why it's costly: Ages 25-35 are peak learning/earning years. Choosing comfort then = lower trajectory forever. Should optimize for growth ages 25-35, then optimize for comfort ages 35+ when you have wealth/leverage. Fix: Reverse the priorities—work hard/grow fast ages 25-35 (build €200k-€400k savings), then coast/optimize for comfort ages 35-50 (financial independence reached, can be selective). See our intentionality guide for comprehensive strategic framework.

How do I know which of the three career paths (Big Tech/Swiss/Remote) is right for me?

Match the path to your priorities using this decision framework—your top 2 priorities determine optimal path. Path decision matrix: Choose Big Tech Europe if: Priority 1 = Brand/resume building (want prestigious companies on CV), Priority 2 = Learning/growth (want to work with top engineers, cutting-edge tech). Trade-offs: Harder interviews (need 3-6 months prep), less location flexibility (must move to London/Dublin/Amsterdam/etc), lower savings rate than remote LCLT (but good absolute savings). Choose Swiss Careers if: Priority 1 = Maximum W2 income in Europe (want highest salary number possible), Priority 2 = Stability (strong labor laws, hard to fire, good benefits). Trade-offs: High cost of living (need to manage expenses carefully), may need local language eventually, less lifestyle flexibility than remote, intense work culture at some companies. Choose Remote LCLT if: Priority 1 = Financial independence (want to save €70k-€100k/year), Priority 2 = Lifestyle flexibility (want to travel, live anywhere, avoid commute). Trade-offs: Harder to find roles (networking required), potentially more isolated (working from home), need strong self-management skills, some timezone challenges. How to decide: Rank these from 1-6 (most important to least): Money, Brand, Learning, Flexibility, Stability, Lifestyle. If Money + Flexibility = top 2 → Remote LCLT. If Brand + Learning = top 2 → Big Tech Europe. If Money + Stability = top 2 → Swiss Careers. Reality check: All three paths can lead to €300k-€500k saved over 5-7 years. The difference is how you get there and what lifestyle you have along the way. There's no "wrong" choice if path aligns with your priorities. You can also combine paths: Start Big Tech (build brand) → pivot to Remote LCLT (maximize savings) → return to Big Tech later (with leverage). Paths aren't permanent. See our comprehensive path comparison for detailed breakdown.

What role does luck play in career success, and how much can strategy actually control?

Luck plays a role in individual outcomes, but strategy controls the expected value—you're optimizing probabilities, not guaranteeing results. The luck vs strategy framework: Pure luck factors (can't control): Macro economy (recession when you're job searching), your birth country/family wealth, natural aptitude for coding, personality fit with managers, company acquisition/layoff timing. Strategic factors (can control): Which path you choose, how many companies you apply to, interview preparation quality, skill development focus, location optimization, salary negotiation, savings rate. The key insight: You can't control if any individual application succeeds (high luck component), but you CAN control applying to 100 companies vs 10 companies (strategy). 100 applications × 5% success rate = 5 offers (high probability of success). 10 applications × 5% success rate = 0.5 offers (low probability, luck-dependent). Strategy is about stacking probabilities in your favor: Strategy A (no optimization): Stay in local market (€50k-€70k salary range), apply to 10 companies, no interview prep, no negotiation. Outcome: Maybe 30% chance of significant improvement. Strategy B (optimized): Target high-paying markets (€100k-€150k salary range), apply to 100 companies, strong interview prep, negotiate every offer. Outcome: Maybe 80% chance of significant improvement. Both involve luck (economic conditions, interview performance, interviewer mood), but Strategy B is 2.5x more likely to succeed. Personal example: My career had lucky breaks (Samsung hiring in Milan timing, getting into Switzerland, etc.) BUT I created conditions for luck—applied to 150+ companies, relocated when needed, prepared well. If Samsung hadn't worked out, something else would have eventually (because of volume + strategy). The difference: Unlucky person with great strategy → probably succeeds. Lucky person with no strategy → might succeed short-term, unlikely long-term. Unlucky person with no strategy → almost certainly fails. What to do: Focus 100% of energy on strategic factors you control (skills, applications, location, savings), accept luck factors you can't control, play the probabilities. For more on proactive career strategy, see intentionality guide.