Top 20 Cities for Software Engineers in Europe (Complete Guide)

Following our articles on the Top 3 and Top 10 cities in Europe for software engineers, here are 10 additional target cities that provide intriguing alternatives.

These three articles, when combined, offer a comprehensive overview of cities and companies that present excellent opportunities for developers on the continent.

Browse 5,000+ high-paying tech jobs across Europe →

Munich, Germany

Munich offers a high quality of life, blending urban living with abundant access to nature. Its strategic location facilitates easy travel within Europe. The country is known for its stability, and salaries here rank among the highest in Western Europe.

While the cost of living is relatively high, it's still more affordable than cities like London or Zurich.

Notable Companies

Google, Apple, Microsoft, NVIDIA, Adobe, Workday, Celonis, BMW, Salesforce, SIXT, SAP, Huawei, Personio, Intel, JetBrains, IBM, Amazon

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Warsaw, Poland

Warsaw features one of Europe's most exciting tech markets, characterized by a rapidly growing tech scene. The city hosts numerous American companies, including unique players like Netflix and Waymo, both of which have engineering offices here. Google also has sizeable teams focused on cutting-edge infrastructure and cloud work, including contributions to Borg and Kubernetes.

Moreover, Warsaw is a hotspot for remote company hiring, making it relatively easy for engineers to find B2B contract opportunities. Freelancer engineers benefit from favorable tax rates, ranging from 12% to 8.5%, with potential for a 5% flat tax rate for certain R&D work.

The city boasts a low cost of living compared to European standards, coupled with a high quality of life. Its vibrant atmosphere and exciting nightlife add to its appeal.

While Warsaw is objectively one of the best places for engineers in Europe, it didn't make the top 10 due to salaries not reaching the high end of the European spectrum (even considering the low cost of living). Some services, particularly public ones, may be perceived as slightly lower in quality compared to Western Europe. Additionally, proximity to Ukraine and Russia, along with increased military spending, introduces an element of uncertainty about the city's future. However, arguments can be made for its inclusion in the top 10.

Notable Companies

Google, Snowflake, Asana, Netflix, Pinterest, Rippling, Oracle, Waymo, AMD, Samsung, NVIDIA, Box, Warner Bros, Visa, Amazon, Bolt, Samsara

Kraków, Poland

Some of the advantages attributed to Warsaw also apply to Kraków. Both cities offer ease in finding B2B remote contracts, favorable taxation for freelancers, and a high quality of life at an affordable cost. Additionally, both host significant tech companies, with Kraków being home to Splunk's largest European engineering office.

However, when it comes to lifestyle, Kraków presents a more laid-back alternative to the bustling Warsaw. It boasts a historical charm and a slightly different, less modern atmosphere.

Notable Companies

Google, Rippling, Oracle, Revolut, Uber, Amazon, Deliveroo, IBM, Splunk

Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn, home to one of Europe's most exciting and successful tech companies, Bolt, stands as a vibrant and rapidly growing tech capital.

Estonia, as a whole, is a modern and highly digitalized country, with the added attraction of a 0% tax rate on reinvested profits—making it an intriguing destination for founders aspiring to launch the next tech unicorn.

However, it's important to note that while Tallinn and Estonia offer a dynamic tech environment, salaries and the cost of living may not present the most advantageous deals in Europe.

Notable Companies

Bolt, Wise, Microsoft, Twilio, Wolt

Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon may not offer the best compensation-to-cost-of-living ratio among the cities on this list either.

Nevertheless, it earns its place here due to several compelling factors. The city boasts a respectable local tech market, accessible opportunities for B2B remote work, Europe's largest digital nomad community, sunny weather, and an exceptional overall lifestyle that includes nature, an ocean backdrop, great cuisine, and vibrant nightlife.

Additionally, those willing to reside outside the city center, where prices have surged due to tourism, will discover Lisbon to be quite affordable.

Notable Companies

Oracle, Datadog, Tripadvisor, Farfetch

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Bucharest, Romania

Bucharest is emerging as one of the fastest-growing tech hubs in Europe. The city has witnessed a steady influx of companies establishing large offices, with notable additions like Stripe, one of today's most prestigious tech companies.

However, it's worth noting that one reason for this expansion is the lower cost of engineering labor, which, even considering the local cost of living, may not make Bucharest the best choice for substantial savings. Nevertheless, given the large presence of big tech companies and the potential for significant salary growth over a long-term tech career, Bucharest still offers the prospect of building a respectable net worth for those committed to the city.

The city itself is both sizeable and offers a variety of activities while maintaining a relatively laid-back atmosphere.

Romania also presents an attractive tax system for remote B2B work.

Notable Companies

Crowdstrike, UI Path, Google, Adobe, Stripe, Microsoft, Oracle, IBM, Amazon, Bolt, Booking, Revolut

Prague, Czech Republic

Prague, situated in Central Europe, stands out as a quality destination. It boasts a substantial presence of reputable companies with local offices, favorable taxation for B2B work, a manageable cost of living, and a high quality of life. Moreover, it is widely regarded as one of Europe's most charming cities.

Notable Companies

Productboard, Pure Storage, Apple, Workday, Oracle, Microsoft, JetBrains, Proton, Parrot

Belgrade, Serbia

Belgrade, the final city on this list from the Central/Eastern European region, stands out as one of the best destinations in the area.

It boasts a rich history, a high quality of life, a vibrant nightlife scene that has earned the city the reputation of 'party capital of Eastern Europe', a low cost of living, attractive taxation for B2B freelancers, and numerous engineering opportunities in local offices. Notably, Databricks has one of its largest engineering presences in Europe in this city.

Furthermore, the people in Belgrade are renowned for their friendliness, making it a welcoming place for newcomers.

Notable Companies

Databricks, Microsoft, Nutanix, Rivian, Foursquare, Yandex, JetBrains, Nordeus, Luxoft

Cambridge, England

Thanks to its university, Cambridge offers an interesting alternative for those looking for more research-oriented positions in the industry, while also boasting good salaries and a great quality of life.

Notable Companies

Apple, Amazon, Roku, Arm, Microsoft, Qualcomm, MathWorks, AMD, Nutanix

Milan, Italy

Italy is often regarded as one of the worst places in Europe for software engineers due to its low salaries (comparable to Romanian levels) combined with a relatively high cost of living (comparable to Germany).

That said, it still offers a great lifestyle for people who value great cuisine, an outgoing culture, good weather, diverse nature, and a rich history.

In the context of Italy, Milan stands out as its tech capital with a decent presence of tech companies offering enticing opportunities.

Notable Companies

Klarna, Bending Spoons, Amazon, Red Hat

Cities 11-20: Quick Comparison

Here's how these cities stack up across key factors for software engineers:

City	Best For	Tech Market	Cost of Living	Tax Benefits	Special Note
Munich	High salaries + stability	Large	High	Standard German	Access to nature
Warsaw	Growing market + low costs	Very Large	Low	5-12% for B2B	Netflix, Waymo offices
Kraków	Historical charm + tech	Medium	Low	5-12% for B2B	Splunk's largest EU office
Tallinn	Startups + digital nomads	Medium	Medium	0% reinvested profits	Highly digitalized
Lisbon	Lifestyle + remote work	Medium	Medium-High	Standard	Digital nomad hub
Bucharest	Fast growth	Large	Low	Good for B2B	Stripe expansion
Prague	Charm + quality of life	Medium	Medium	Good for B2B	One of Europe's prettiest
Belgrade	Nightlife + affordability	Medium	Very Low	Good for B2B	Databricks hub
Cambridge	Research + AI	Medium	High	UK standard	University town
Milan	Italian lifestyle	Medium	High	Standard Italian	Fashion capital

Compare detailed salary data across all European cities →

Bonus Options Worth Considering

Specialized Tech Hubs

• Snap Vienna, Austria: Focus on Computer Vision
• Uber Aarhus, Denmark: Uber's second largest office in Europe (after Amsterdam)
• Amazon Luxembourg: One of Amazon's largest engineering offices in Europe (after London and Dublin)

Low Tax, Low Cost of Living Countries

Especially interesting for remote workers looking to maximize savings:

Bulgaria, Georgia, Cyprus, Canary Islands

These locations offer attractive tax regimes combined with affordable living costs, making them ideal for remote engineers working for high-paying companies.

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Making Your Choice: Top 20 vs Top 10

The cities ranked 11-20 often offer unique advantages that might make them better suited for your specific situation than the traditional top 10:

Choose cities 11-20 if you want:

• Lower cost of living with decent tech opportunities
• B2B freelancer tax advantages (Poland, Czechia, Serbia, Romania)
• Specific company offices (Netflix in Warsaw, Databricks in Belgrade)
• Lifestyle-first approach (Lisbon, Milan, Prague)
• Research-focused roles (Cambridge)
• Startup ecosystem (Tallinn)

Stick with the top 10 if you prioritize:

• Maximum salary potential
• Largest selection of top-tier companies
• Established expat communities
• Best public services and infrastructure

Eastern Europe: The Hidden Gem

A particular highlight of cities 11-20 is the Central and Eastern European cluster: Warsaw, Kraków, Prague, Bucharest, and Belgrade.

These cities share several advantages:

• Low cost of living (50-70% cheaper than Western Europe)
• Favorable B2B taxation (5-12% effective rates for freelancers)
• Growing tech markets with major company expansions
• High quality of life with vibrant cultural scenes
• Easy access to remote work opportunities

For engineers willing to embrace these markets, the potential for high savings rates is exceptional—often matching or exceeding what's possible in higher-paying Western European cities.

Resources for Your Job Search

To help you target these cities effectively, check out our comprehensive guide to the best tech companies by city in Europe, which includes detailed company lists for all 20 cities plus salary insights.

Start your job search across all 20 cities →

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which city offers the best value for software engineers in Europe?

Warsaw and Kraków offer exceptional value. With a low cost of living, favorable B2B tax rates (5-12%), and major tech companies like Google, Netflix, and Waymo, you can save $30-50k/year as a mid-level engineer. The quality of life is high with vibrant nightlife, culture, and easy travel across Europe.

Is Lisbon good for remote software engineers?

Yes! Lisbon is Europe's digital nomad capital with a thriving remote work community, coworking spaces, excellent weather, and good infrastructure. While city center costs have risen, living outside the center keeps it affordable. The local tech scene is growing with companies like Datadog and Oracle establishing offices.

Should I consider Eastern Europe for my tech career?

Absolutely. Cities like Warsaw, Prague, Belgrade, and Bucharest offer exceptional value: major tech companies, low living costs (50-70% cheaper than Western Europe), favorable freelancer taxes, and high quality of life. Warsaw alone hosts Netflix, Waymo, Google, and Snowflake engineering offices.

How does Munich compare to Berlin for software engineers?

Munich offers:

• Higher salaries (among highest in Germany)
• Better access to nature and Alps
• More stable, corporate environment
• Higher cost of living

Berlin offers:

• Larger tech market (second in Europe after London)
• More startups and fast-growing companies
• Lower cost of living
• More international/creative atmosphere

What makes Cambridge unique for tech careers?

Cambridge excels in research-oriented roles thanks to its world-class university. Companies like Apple, Amazon, Arm, and Qualcomm maintain research offices here. It's ideal for engineers interested in cutting-edge research, AI, chip design, or transitioning between academia and industry.

Can I save money working in Italy as a software engineer?

It's challenging. Italian salaries for local companies are low (comparable to Romania) while costs are high (comparable to Germany). However, Milan is the exception—if you work for international companies (Klarna, Amazon) or remote positions with competitive pay, you can enjoy Italy's lifestyle while earning well. The city offers excellent cuisine, culture, and quality of life.

Which city is best for B2B freelancers and contractors?

Poland (Warsaw, Kraków) leads with 5-12% effective tax rates for B2B contractors, strong remote work opportunities, and low costs. Belgrade, Serbia and Prague, Czech Republic also offer favorable freelancer taxation. These cities have thriving contractor communities and easy access to international clients.