The Netherlands is beckoning, and for good reason. 

NL has long been one of the most popular job relocation destinations in the world, especially for software developers and IT professionals who seek the companies and movements that operate and develop on the cutting edge of the industry. 

With its booming tech hubs that are hungry for talent, a vibrant startup scene (70 Dutch companies showed up at CES 2024), and fantastic work-life balance, it’s no wonder developers worldwide are setting their sights on this dynamic country. Since you’re reading this, the chances are you’re turning your sights here too.

Statistics show that there are 26 vacancies for every job-seeking tech worker in the country, meaning there’s an abundance of opportunity for those willing to make the move. This is backed by the results of our recent Telegram survey, which revealed that a ton of international jobseekers have the Netherlands in their sights.

If you’re ready to start a new chapter of your life, consider this guide your ultimate road map. We’ll cover everything you need to know to make your Dutch tech adventure a success!

What is the Dutch Tech Scene Like?

The Netherlands is Europe’s most wired country with excellent digital infrastructure, an innovative and open economy, R&D incentives, and a strong governmental focus on advancement in technology, which attracts top companies and startups around the world. 

Tech giants, including the likes of IBM, Google, Cisco, Oracle, and more have housed main European offices in the Netherlands, ensuring NL’s status as one of the best countries in tech in Europe. For tech workers such as yourself, this means there’s a fantastic variety of workplaces and opportunities here, as long as you’re willing to make the move.

And it could be a fantastic move to make. On average, the Netherlands VC investment raises several billion a year, but growth is slower than you may be used to.

Netherlands VC Investment (source)

• 2018 – €0.9B
• 2019 – €1.40B
• 2020 – €1.68B
• 2021 – €5.60B
• 2022 – €2.70B
• 2018 – €2.00B

Growth tends to be slower because the Dutch operate within longer investment cycles, meaning growth has stagnated a little, as seen by the investment figures above. 

However, that doesn’t mean there’s a lack of opportunity, and there are still plenty of tech vacancies and careers around. Think of it this way, VC investment may have dropped 25% in the Netherlands from 2022 to 2023, but this is far smaller than the global decrease of 37%, or Europe’s average of 36%.

To summarise, the Netherlands is a startup and tech paradise, a magnet for people looking to make their way into some of the largest tech companies on the planet, with plenty of chances to get onto the front line of leading tech innovations.

Whether you’re a software engineer, web developer, or anybody in tech, there’s no denying your skills are in high demand and the Netherlands is calling for you to call it home.

How to Find IT Jobs with Relocation Packages

With no shortage of tech jobs out there, this raises the question of how you can put yourself in front of these opportunities. How do you find the companies who are craving the top talent, no matter where you are in the world?

That’s right, the top companies are more than happy to invest in you if you fit what they’re looking for, many offering relocation packages to help you transition to this new time in your life with ease. A win-win for everyone involved.

Well, there are several options available for finding such opportunities, mostly in the form of scanning job boards, searching the individual companies you’d like to work for and checking their career’s page, or signing up to general job vacancy platforms.

Some of the most prominent, Netherlands-based options are listed below:

• Relocate.me: Our platform specialises in IT jobs with relocation support. We verify employers, so you know the offers are legit, plus we offer tons of relocation advice.
• Glassdoor: Use keywords like “relocation”, “visa sponsorship”, with your specific job title to find jobs with relocation packages.
• Indeed.com: The same method as above!

Unfortunately, at present, most of the job search websites have no filter for relocation packages, so you’ll need to be proactive in narrowing down your search. To kick-start your search, some of the top Dutch companies with relocation packages include:

• Booking.com
• Catawiki
• Coolblue
• Fashion Cloud
• GreenFlux
• HousingAnywhere
• Optiver
• Picnic
• Swisscom

Also, make sure to subscribe to our Telegram channel to always stay up to date on the latest available international job opportunities, relevant news, relocation stories, and more.

How to Obtain a Work Permit in the Netherlands

Foreigners who wish to work in the Netherlands, in most cases, need to apply for a work permit. 

Only workers who are from the European Economic Area or Switzerland are permitted to work without it. If you’re a non-EU citizen, you can apply either for a Highly skilled migrant residence permit or for the EU Blue Card.

To be eligible for the Highly skilled migrant residence permit, you must meet several conditions, such as working in a high-level position, having an employment contract with a Netherlands-based employer, and meeting the salary criteria (as of 2023):

• Reduced salary criteria: ​€2,631 gross per month
• ​Highly skilled migrants 30 years or older – ​€5,008 gross per month
• ​Highly skilled migrants younger than 30 years – €3,672 gross per month

Younger than 30

• You qualify for a lower salary requirement than those 30 and older.
• Even if you turn 30 while employed, the lower salary requirement still applies as long as you stay with the same employer and have no gaps in your residency.

30 Years and Older

• Standard salary requirements apply.
• Your salary requirement is set when you start working and will be adjusted when you renew your residence permit.

Important Note: For the latest salary thresholds, always refer to the official Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) website. 

What’s more, your employer should also be recognised as a sponsor by the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). 

Here, you can check whether your target company is on the IND list or not. Depending on your nationality, your recognised sponsor (employer) may also need to apply for a long-stay entry visa (MVV) for you. You can read more about the Highly skilled migrant residence permit on the IND website.

To be eligible for the EU Blue Card, the following set of conditions should be met:

• Hold a Master’s Degree or equivalent level of expertise.
• Have a minimum of 5 years of experience in your tech field.
• The salary should be ​€5,670 gross per month minimum (as of March 2024).
• Secure a work contract or job offer for a highly-skilled position (lasting at least one year).
• Meet the minimum salary requirements for your field in your chosen EU country.
• For regulated professions, provide proof of meeting all necessary licensing or certification standards.

The EU Blue Card permits mobility within the European Union after 18 months of residence in the first member state and allows you to move to another EU member country for highly qualified employment. The Dutch highly skilled migrant permit is limited to the Netherlands. 

On the other hand, higher education is required only for the EU Blue Card, while this is not the case for the Dutch highly skilled migrant permit.

After five years of legal and continuous stay in the Netherlands, both the EU Blue Card holder and the highly skilled migrant, as well as their family members, may qualify for a permanent long-term residence permit. This permit allows you to stay in the Netherlands indefinitely and gives you more freedom in the labour market.

How to Move to the Netherlands from the US

Ready to trade skyscrapers for canals and buzzing tech hubs? Relocating from the US to the Netherlands takes planning, but the rewards are huge. 

Now, let’s start with some quick facts:

• You don’t need a visa to enter the Netherlands, but you will if you’re staying for up to 90 days.
• You can acquire a temporary residence permit if you’re employed, are travelling for business, are moving to study, or you have a family you’re meeting and living with.
• It takes about 90 days to obtain a permit, so get organised.
• There are some proofs you need to obtain for permit clearance. This includes having a valid passport, having NO crimes or previous offences, and you have your employment agreement, university acceptance letter, and that kind of thing.
• Tax wise, any income you earn while in NL will be taxed at Dutch personal income tax rates. There’s no double tax on the same income, but you’ll still need to file a tax return in both the Netherlands and the US.

And how do you actually make the move itself? We can break this down into just five easy steps.

1. It’s All About the Permit

• Standard Path: Most tech professionals will need a Highly Skilled Migrant residence permit. Your Dutch employer usually handles the application.
• Entrepreneur Option: The Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) can simplify things if you’re starting your own business. You’ll need to invest a minimum amount to qualify.

2. First Days: Official Business

• Get Registered: Within five days of arrival, register at your local town hall. This is crucial for getting your citizen service number (BSN), which opens the door to a bank account, job, healthcare, and more.
• Banking Basics: Open a Dutch bank account – this is where your paycheck will go and where you’ll manage daily finances. Neobanks are usually the best way to go. 

3. The Digital Keys

• Get Your DigiD: This is your online ID for government services, including filing taxes. Apply for it right away!

4. Behind the Wheel

• Temporary License: Your US driver’s license works for six months after registering. After that, you’ll need to pass the Dutch driving exams.

5. The Long Game: Permanent Status

• After five years as a lawful resident, you can apply for a permanent residence permit.
• Meet the citizenship requirements (like learning Dutch), and you might be eligible to become a full-fledged Dutch citizen!

And if you need more info, check out these helpful resources:

• The Dutch Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND)
• US Embassy in the Netherlands

Software Engineer Salaries in the Netherlands

Like in any other country, salary offers in the Netherlands depend on many factors, including the age of the company, its financial performance, your experience level, and your skill set. 

In general, software engineer salaries in the Netherlands range from €66,023 to €115,408 per year with bonuses, according to Levels. 

The most recent developer salary report by WeAreDevelopers states that, on average, aspiring developers in the Netherlands make around €64,000 per annum. Salaries of senior-level developers typically range between €50,000 and €80,000. 

Taxes in the Netherlands

When it comes to taxes in the Netherlands as an expat, the simple rule to remember is that you’ll pay the same amount of tax as everyone else, depending on your status (resident, non-resident, partial-resident). If you have a temporary resident visa, you’ll be taxed as a resident.

To make things easy, the Netherlands has tax agreements with 90 other countries, meaning there’s little chance of double taxation. While you’re in the Netherlands, you’ll pay tax to the Netherlands. 

Now, the taxes themselves.

There are three main types of taxes in the Netherlands: 

Income Tax

Income tax in the Netherlands is simple.

If you earn:

• €0 – €73,071, you’ll pay 36.93% tax
• €73,071 or above, you’ll pay 49.50%

Everyone who works in the Netherlands has to submit a yearly tax return and pay this tax on their income. However, it does get a little more complicated than this because there are some other tax facts to consider, broken down into “boxes.”

• Box 1: income from profits, employment, and homeownership. Income of €0-€73,071 is taxed at 36.931% (as of March 2024, while earnings over this limit are taxed at 49.5%. It’s a progressive tax rate; therefore, the higher your income is, the more you have to pay.
• Box 2: income from substantial interest, which is taxed at 26.90%, as of 2023. You have substainable interest if you own at least 5% in shares, options, or profit-sharing certificates. You’ll pay a flat 25% on income from these interests.
• Box 3: income from savings and investments, of which the taxable income from these sources is taxed at 31% maximum.  However, there is a fixed return rate depending on your amounts. These are:
   
  • € 0 – € 50,649 – 1.82%
  • € 50,650 – € 962,349 – 4.37%
  • € 962,350 and over – 5.53%

Payroll Tax

Payroll tax is taken by the employer from an employee’s salary and consists of tax on your salary, national insurance contributions for pensions, unemployment allowance, and other Dutch benefits and allowances. 

Those contributions, taken from the salary by the employer, save employees from the need to pay them later as income tax.  You can see those above!

VAT Sales Tax

VAT sales tax, known as BTW, is sales or revenue tax, which all businesses add to the price of their products and services. 

There are three levels of this tax; 0%, 9%, and 21%. 

The 9% tariff is added on food and drinks, agricultural products, medicines, and books, while 21% is charged on all other goods and services (from education and healthcare to financial and insurance services). For most products and services, the VAT will be included in the sales price, unless you’re told otherwise.

The 30% Tax Ruling

Now, this is one of the most interesting aspects of tax if you’re planning to move to the Netherlands, and it’s a highly attractive one at that.

Known as the 30% Tax Ruling, the Netherlands has a tax advantage for highly skilled migrants (tech workers like you) who have moved to the Netherlands for a specific employment role. If you’re eligible, the rule simply states that you won’t pay over 30% of your gross salary in tax to the state.

It also means you’re exempted from paying Box 2 and Box 3 taxes (except for shareholding and real estate tax). 

Although 30% is a maximum tax ruling, it can also be less depending on different factors. The 30% tax ruling is given only once in five years and can be applied only by one employer to one specific employee; therefore, if you change your workplace, a new employer will have to reapply for a tax ruling for you. In addition, your employer should give you a non-taxable allowance that fully pays for your children’s international schooling. 

You can quickly estimate your approximate after-tax paycheck in the Netherlands by using this calculator.

Cost of Living in the Netherlands

The cost of living in the Netherlands can vary, depending on which part of the country you live in.

As a capital, Amsterdam can be quite an expensive place to live, while the Hague and Rotterdam offer a cheaper cost of living. 

Naturally, the prices in smaller cities, Eindhoven and Hoofddorp, are slightly lower. 

According to Numbeo, it costs a single person around €1,023.00 to live in Amsterdam before rent, including transportation and eating out, which is about 30% less than living in New York. The cost is around €3,894.00 for a family of four without rent.

Rotterdam costs around €900.90 for a single person, and the Hague around €879.30.  Keep in mind that those numbers are approximate and that the increase in price equals a high standard of living. 

Rental prices in non-urban areas are more affordable than the ones close to the city center.

Apartment rental prices in Amsterdam vs. Rotterdam (Numbeo):

Cost of Living Examples (Numbeo)

Apartment rental prices in Eindhoven vs. Hoofddorp (Numbeo):

Cost of Living Examples (Numbeo)

While taxis are expensive in the Netherlands, public transport is efficient and can get you anywhere you want. Purchasing OV-chipkaart is a good investment as one ticket provides you with access to all means of transport. 

28% of all trips in Holland are done by bicycle, using over 35,000km of well-maintained cycle routes, especially in Amsterdam and the Hague, up to 70% of journeys are done by bicycle, which just goes to show this mode of transport worth considering. The infrastructure is built for it.

In fact, as of 2023, 76% of Dutch people will cycle for fun, which adds up to around 700 million bicycle trips occuring in the country every year. Safe to say it’s pretty popular.

Therefore, owning a car in the Netherlands is not necessary due to a well-developed public transportation system. 

Also, the Netherlands offers a broad choice of low-cost transportation that could take you anywhere you want in Europe, which is a great advantage.

Work-Life Balance in the Netherlands

According to the OECD’s Better Life Index, the Netherlands ranks top in terms of work-life balance. 

Almost 0% of employees work very long working hours, the lowest rate in the OECD, which holds an average of 11%.

An average Dutch working week is 35 hours (down three hours since 2021), with the majority of full-time positions working between 36-40 hours a week. It’s estimated that only around 8% of Dutch people work over 40 hours a week.

With these stats, it becomes clear that overtime work is rather an exception to the rule in the Dutch employment market, with a healthy work-life balance being a priority for both employers and employees. 

The legal minimum number of vacation days is four times the amount of working days per week, which is 20-25 days per year in addition to 10 public holidays.

On top of this, the Dutch work-life balance culture is the best representative of Europe, which contrasts with the American culture of workaholism and chronic overwork with just 1-2 weeks of paid vacation per year. 

To put this into perspective, it takes up to 10 years of work to earn your way up to 4 weeks of paid holidays in the US. Therefore, the Netherlands attracts a lot of talent thanks to its healthy approach to work as well as its balanced working culture.

Language

Although it’s always better to learn some language basics of the country you’re moving to fully integrate into it, the recent English Proficiency Index ranked the Netherlands first when comparing the English skills of 100 non-English-speaking countries. 

The EU’s most recent report informs that 90% of the Dutch population speaks English, which is impressive. Dutch people easily switch to English if they see that someone doesn’t understand what they’re saying.

Healthcare

The Dutch healthcare system has been ranked in the top 3 for a few years based on the Euro Health Consumer Index, which ranks systems based on waiting time, results, generosity, and 48 other indicators. The Netherlands ranked a staggering 883 points out of the maximum 1,000 points, second only to Switzerland with 893 points. Compare this with the UK’s 761 points (15th place), France (796 points), or Germany (785 points). 

Interestingly, the lowest is Albania with 544 points and Romania with 549 points.

Moreover, the Netherlands is the only country that has stayed in the top 3 consistently since 2005.

Purchasing private health insurance is compulsory for everyone, and basic insurance should be purchased within four months of arrival in the country. There are two forms of insurance in the Netherlands:

• Zvw – basic insurance that covers common medical services (includes GP, specialist services, medication, and maternity care). It costs around €2,679 per year per person (fixed price no matter the age, gender, or existing medical conditions).
• Wlz – covers long-term nursing and care treatment.

Children under 18 years old do not pay premiums for basic insurance and are insured automatically. In addition, temporary residents from the EEA are automatically covered if they hold a European Union Health Insurance Card.

How to register for healthcare in the Netherlands?

First, you have to register with a health insurance company for which you have to provide proof of residence in the country, an identification document, and a confirmation of your employment from your employer. 

After registration, your health insurance will be valid from the moment you pay a premium.

Education

Moving with kids? Great news! Public schools in the Netherlands are free and many offer bilingual programs (especially at the secondary level). These programs teach 30-50% of classes in English, helping your child adapt even if they don’t yet speak Dutch. Trust us, they soon will with the daily exposure.

When to Consider International Schools

If Dutch language skills are a major concern, a private international school might be the best fit. While more expensive (€12,000-€24,000 annually), some receive government subsidies, lowering costs to around €3,600-€6,000.

The Dutch School System

• Primary School: Kids start at age four and stay for eight grades, learning the fundamentals of reading, writing, and arithmetic.
• Secondary School: Here, students choose a path based on their career goals:
  • VMBO (4 years): Prepares for vocational training with a focus on practical skills.
  • HAVO (5 years): Prepares for higher education at a University of Applied Sciences (Bachelor’s degree focused on practical application).
  • VWO (6 years): Prepares for a traditional research university (Bachelor’s degree focused on theory).

Higher Education: Research vs. Practice

• Research Universities: Develop critical thinking and prepare students for careers in research, management, etc.
• Universities of Applied Sciences: Offer clear career paths with an emphasis on practical skills.

Tuition Costs

• Non-EEA Students: €6,000-€15,000 annually for Bachelor’s, €9,000-€20,000 for Master’s.
• EEA Students: Between €1,040 and €2,083 annually for Bachelor’s (Master’s prices vary).

Which City to Choose for Relocation?

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is the harbour and heart of The Netherlands, known for its historical attractions, vast art collections, endless canals, and for the special flavour of its old parts, which have been preserved well. The spirit of openness and tolerance is combined with a tradition of innovation. 

Amsterdam is the connector of Europe, uniting various destinations with one of the biggest airports in the world, Schiphol airport. Moreover, it is also a significant economic centre with major companies like Tesla Motors, Nike, and IKEA, locating their offices here and offering a great variety of employment opportunities. 

With 90% of the Dutch population speaking English fluently in Amsterdam, you may be sure that you will understand and be understood here easily.

The Hague

The Hague is considered to be a political centre of the Netherlands since it is a seat of the Dutch government and as “The City of Peace and Justice” is a home base to 130 international organisations in the sphere of peaceful administration like Europol, Eurojust, the United Nations.

Therefore, the city attracted over 300 international companies, with Shell, AEGON, KPN being among the biggest. 

On the other hand, The Hague is the largest city by the sea in the Netherlands, and the greenest city in Europe, so natural beauties attract many migrants to stay in The Hague.

Rotterdam

Rotterdam presents a fresh view of the Netherlands with youthful architecture and urban design, partly because it was completely rebuilt after World War II. It is also the largest port in Europe, which unites great opportunities in the shipping, trade, energy, and logistics sectors. 

Beyond the fact that Rotterdam is home to diverse street food markets and an advanced café culture, the city can boast with excellent transport system with great trams, buses, and metro connections. 

Moreover, the city has excellent rail links with the rest of Europe, and with Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport just an hour away, all destinations are in the palm of your hand.

 Move to the Netherlands

To sum up, the Netherlands is a unique relocation destination that offers a very beneficial environment for IT specialists with a 30% tax ruling, excellent work-life balance, and outstanding standard of living. If this article inspired you to consider the Netherlands as your work abroad spot, be sure to check out our list of available tech jobs in Amsterdam and other Dutch cities. All of those roles come with relocation assistance!

Despite the fact that an average software engineer would rather consider Italy as a travel destination rather than a relocation spot, the fourth-largest economy in the EU performs above the world’s average in income, wealth, work-life balance, and healthcare, according to the OECD Better Life Index, and has a promising IT industry. The latter contributes a value-added of 3.2% of GDP to the Italian economy, and software engineering companies bring a market value of €50.8 billion, offering many IT jobs for software engineers. Qualified developers are paid 50% higher than other service sector employees in the country, which is good news. The warm and welcoming temper of the Italian nation, tremendous cultural heritage, and delicious cuisine are cherries on the top of the cake, promising smooth integration.

We hope that our recent interview with Michel, a Lebanese software engineer who relocated to Milan from London, will inspire you to expand your horizons and consider Italy as a relocation destination in your international job search. Without further ado, let’s get into it.

Michel’s background

Home country: Lebanon
Time in the industry: A first-year graduate
Current tech stack: Swift, Python, and C++
Passions outside of work: Reading, history, and board games

What made you choose Milan as a work abroad destination? Was it by accident, or were you actively seeking a Software Engineer job in Italy? 

Initially, I wasn’t looking for Italy specifically. I was looking for developer jobs all over Europe but with a particular focus on the UK and France because those are countries where I speak the language. I was actually a bit worried about moving to Italy as I thought the language barrier would be a problem. Bending Spoons assured me that it would be fine, and so I decided to take the plunge. That was mainly because I was excited about the opportunity to work with Bending Spoons and because I had heard good things about how international and welcoming Milan in particular was.

NOTE: 

Bending Spoons is a fast-growing tech company focused on developing and marketing mobile apps. Since its founding in 2013, the team has built over 20 applications, which in total boast over 390 million downloads and more than 12 million monthly active users worldwide! Contact tracing app Immuni, which opposed coronavirus in Italy, video editing suite Splice, and 30 Day Fitness, which delivers home workouts through video workshops, are some of the best known Bending Spoons’ applications. The company is being recognized as the best workplace in Italy, two years in a row.

You are now working at Bending Spoons as a Software Engineer. How many interview stages did you have to go through to get this job? 

The interview process at Bending Spoons was quite thorough and took a very long time; that said, it was also very enjoyable, and I never felt overwhelmed at any step. Here’s a quick overview of the steps I went through, each of which can take between a few days and a couple of weeks:

• Step 1: Resume and cover letter submission. 
• Step 2: Project completion. If recruiters like your resume and cover letter, then you will be sent a project that is relevant to your position. What’s really nice about this step compared to how many different companies do it is that it is not a timed project to take your time and present your best work.
• Step 3: A behavioral interview with the recruitment team members, whose aim is to find out more about your personality and attitude.
• Steps 4 & 5: A series of technical questions and logic puzzles, expecting essay-like answers. 
• Step 6: One final interview, this time with technical questions involved. 

This is what happened in my case, though I think it might vary. I was free to take these steps at my own pace, taking as much or as little time as I wanted, generally, for each of them. As I preferred to take my time with all of them, the whole process took about three months for me. 

Do you have any tips for those interested in landing a Software Engineer job at Bending Spoons? What was your recipe for success? 

Take it one step at a time! Here are some tips for each step:

• Step 1: Research the company in advance, make your cover letter stand out, and be memorable. Remember that you have more competition at this stage than at any future one, so you need to let your uniqueness shine through. 
• Step 2: Take your time with the project, don’t rush it. There are no points for completing it in a couple of days compared to taking a full week. This is specific to the software roles but: think larger than just the project itself. Getting all the features working and bug-free is essential, but you also need to think about readability, scalability, and code safety.
• Step 3: Don’t be nervous! Bending Spoons’ recruiters are awesome people who are super friendly and will make you feel comfortable. Treat a job interview as a friendly chat, show why you would be a great person to work with.
• Steps 4, 5 & 6: These are more technical steps with little shortcuts. Remember, however, that you have been preparing all your life for doing this kind of job, now you are simply being given a chance to show that. If you’ve made it this far, the hardest parts are over!

What was the work visa process like? 

Work visa applications are incredibly stressful, of course, especially in a year like 2020. But the Bending Spoons team was amazing once again and guided me through the whole process. Here’s how it went for me, although it might be different based on your country of origin:

• First, I had to obtain a “declaration of value” from the Italian embassy. To do that, I had to send them my university diploma, translated into Italian and notarized by several ministries in Lebanon. 
• Once the embassy issued the declaration, I sent it to Bending Spoons so they could apply for a work permit for me. 
• Once the company obtained the work permit, they sent it to me, and I used it to apply for a work visa.

The process is simple but was delayed at several steps for me due to many embassies/ministries being closed or not accepting visitors during lockdowns. However, when I couldn’t attend an embassy in person, they usually allowed me to send the documents electronically, and in the end, the embassy made sure to issue my visa before my intended travel date rolled around. The whole process took about five months, so I’m definitely glad to have started early, but it should be much shorter in “normal” years.

NOTE: 

Citizens of the European Union, European Economic Area, and Switzerland don’t need to apply for a right to work in Italy. The work visa fee for non-EU citizens costs €116, and it is only possible to apply for a work visa from outside Italian borders. 

An Italian work visa can have the duration of your work contract or be unlimited. In the first case, the duration can’t be less than one year, and in the second case, the maximum duration is two years.

It is worth using the following tool to clarify what kind of documents you need for an Italian visa.

As far as we know, the Italian work visa simply allows its holder to enter the country for employment purposes. To stay and work in Italy, it’s necessary to apply for an additional (residence) permit upon arrival. Is that true?

This is true. It is necessary to apply for a residence permit within eight days of entering the country. Many documents are needed for the application, but your employer will let you know to prepare them in advance. In the case of Bending Spoons, they also sent someone with me to help at the application appointment as the immigration office employees usually do not speak English.

When you apply for the residence permit, you will get a receipt that is proof of your application. It is essential that you do not lose this receipt, as the residence permit usually takes months (in my case, nine months) to be issued. Until that happens, you will use your receipt in all situations where you would normally need to show your actual residence permit (e.g., when entering and leaving the country or when trying to open a bank account).

What kind of relocation assistance did you get from your employer?

Bending Spoons provided much in the way of material assistance! For example, they found and paid for my accommodation for the first three months of my contract. They reimbursed me for the relocation expenses as well, not just the plane tickets but also the cost of buying luggage, applying for a work visa, and purchasing essentials for my new residence.

But more importantly, they helped through every step of the immigration process, from the residence permit application to opening a bank account. They always sent someone in person to help with communication and translation.

NOTE: 

Click here to browse Software Engineer jobs with relocation assistance.

How long did it take for you to actually move after accepting the job offer during the pandemic? 

I accepted my job offer in April 2020, so, as mentioned earlier, the whole visa application process took about 5-6 months. I received my work visa only a couple of weeks before my intended travel date. This was fine as it coincided with me finishing university as well (in early September 2020).

Is it hard to find an apartment for rent in Milan? Are most rental properties furnished or unfurnished? What websites did you use in your housing search?

One small positive aspect of 2020 was that it was easier to find apartments to rent as many people moved out of big cities! I searched for apartments on many websites, including idealista.it, casa.it, and immobiliare.it. Most rental properties were fully furnished. 

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Milan? How do you find the cost of living in general?

Rent can be pretty expensive, especially in the city center, but that is to be expected for a big city. If you are willing to live in the suburbs, then a one-bedroom apartment can be between €600-€800 per month. Of course, it’s also cheaper if you can find someone to share an apartment with. For instance, at Bending Spoons, we have an internal Slack channel where we can look for potential roommates.

Outside of rent, then monthly expenses mainly depend on how much you are willing to cook for yourself as compared to eating at restaurants or ordering take-out. If you mainly do your own cooking and don’t go out much, then monthly expenses can be as low as €200, but for an average young adult, it’s probably closer to €700 per month, outside of rent.

The cost of living in Milan, in general, is very similar to London, where I last lived before moving to Italy. I would say London has much more expensive rent but is otherwise a bit cheaper.

NOTE: 

A one-bedroom property in the center of Milan will cost you between €800 and €1,600.

You can use the sites Numbeo and Teleport to get to know more about the cost of living in the city of your choice or see the comparison between the two cities.

What percentage of your salary goes to taxes? 

The tax rate is quite high in Italy, and overall about 33% of my salary goes to taxes.

NOTE: 

Glassdoor says that the average software developer salary in Italy is €30,000 per annum. Depending on the level of experience, salaries vary from €24,000 per year for entry-level software developers to €45,000 for experienced software developers, according to PayScale at least. The good news is that most Italian companies offer various benefits and perks on top of a salary. For example, Bending Spoons, offering stock options, healthcare coverage, a signing bonus, access to the latest hardware, free weekly yoga classes, to name a few. Of course, compared to other EU countries, developer salaries in Italy are lower, but many of them, including Switzerland, Denmark, France, Sweden, and the Netherlands, outperform Italy in terms of the cost of living. 

In Italy, income tax paid by employees is divided into three subcategories:

1. National income tax

This tax is progressive—the more you earn, the higher tax you have to pay. The rates are as follows:

• 23% on earnings between €1 and €15,000
• 27% on earnings between €15,000 and €28,000
• 38% on earnings between €28,000 and €55,000
• 41% on earnings between €55,000 and €75,000
• 43% on earnings over €75,000

2. Regional income tax 

It depends on the region where you live and ranges from 1.23% to 3.33%.

3. Municipal income tax 

It varies from municipality to municipality and can be from 0% to 0.8%.

To learn more about personal income tax in Italy, check out this guide.

What do you enjoy most about living in Milan? Is there anything you don’t like about living there? 

My favorite part about living in Milan is definitely the people! I haven’t met as many as I would have liked to, unfortunately. But the people I did get to meet are cool and awesome! In general, most people are sweet and happy to help others. 

Milan is also a very modern and international city with all of the benefits that entails—there is always something to do, the streets are a joy to just walk around and explore, the transportation system is extensive and efficient. And the food! The Italian food and desserts are to die for.

I have disliked how isolating big cities could be during the times of heaviest restrictions, but that should hopefully not be a problem after this year. Other more minor complaints include the general lack of English-language activities or services and the coldness of the weather for most of the year.

What are the biggest differences between living and working in Italy and your home country?

I come from Lebanon, which is a rather poor country that has recently been going through many crises, so maybe it is not the fairest comparison. But compared to it, Italy is a much better place to be in terms of job security and worker rights. Society is more tolerant and open-minded; there is less instability and corruption.

What makes Milan an attractive place for you as a software developer? 

I actually believe that Milan is a great place for young developers starting their careers! It is young and social, with many universities and (outside of 2020) a thriving nightlife. It’s also the technology hub of Italy and the surrounding region! There are offices for all the biggest tech companies, but several tech startups are also based there, and it frequently hosts tech events such as hackathons.

Can you tell us a few words about healthcare in Italy? For example, as a foreigner, do you have the right to public healthcare? Is private health insurance required?

Italy has a mixed public and private healthcare system. Italians rely mostly on public healthcare, but a portion still opts for private clinics, whether to avoid long waiting times or to have an overall more comfortable medical care. Although the comfort and the quality of service at private hospitals are generally superior, the quality of care is likely to be similar to that of public hospitals. All legal residents, both Italians and foreigners, have the right to public healthcare, which is generally free or sometimes subject to symbolic fees. 

All Italian companies are also required by law to provide some form of private insurance for their employees, and Bending Spoons offers that through Metasalute, opting for their Plan C option. This insurance is available after the end of your trial period. In the case of a fixed-term contract, it is only offered to people who have at least five more months in their contract after the trial period.

If you had to define public transport in Milan in 3 words, what would they be? Does commuting take up much of your time?

Simple. Clear. Extensive. 

The public transport network reaches almost every area of the city and is generally very easy to understand and use even if you don’t speak Italian. The metro runs until 1 am so it is easy and safe to go home after a night out. If you are in the center, you can opt for the slower but much more scenic route using Milan’s beautiful trams.

Finally, Milan is actually a very walkable city, so if you’re not in a rush, then keep in mind that you can probably walk to your destination. It’s free, healthy, and relaxing!

Work at Bending Spoons has been almost completely remote, so I haven’t had to commute since I joined, but it takes around 30 minutes to get from where I live in the outskirts to our office in the center, so that is pretty reasonable.

Are you learning Italian? Or is knowledge of English enough to comfortably live in Milan?  

I am taking Italian lessons every Wednesday, provided free of charge by Bending Spoons as part of their relocation package. Knowing English is enough to get by on day-to-day, for sure. English is quite commonly spoken in the more touristic areas and by the younger residents. But knowledge of Italian is necessary for administrative reasons and immigration-related tasks. For example, it would be quite difficult to open a bank account, or receive your national health service card, or apply for and receive your residence permit without speaking Italian. Luckily your company will probably help with all of these steps, but it is still essential to learn Italian if you want to be comfortable as a citizen in Italy. You will also have to undertake an Italian language test when applying for renewal of your residence permit after a year.

If you could give one piece of advice to anyone looking to move abroad for a tech job, what would it be?

Preparation is your greatest asset! Moving abroad to start a new tech job should not be taken lightly. Should you do it? I think absolutely yes because it is an opportunity to really grow as a person and develop in ways that you never could by picking the safer option of staying close to home. Plus, why would you limit your opportunities and job search to a single country when the whole world could be available for you? That said, the tradeoffs are a very stressful and almost overwhelming initial adjustment period. But that is where you can help yourself by being prepared!

Knowing what to expect and how to handle it will be crucial. Look into how you can open a bank account, look into immigration laws, healthcare laws, the housing market. If possible, take some lessons to start learning the language in advance. Search for people online who may have had similar experiences to you and, if possible, ask them for advice; usually, they are very happy to help. And, of course, there will always be surprises and things that you did not anticipate. That is okay, and your company will hopefully be there to help you through them. But every minute of preparation before your flight can save you hours of headaches after it, so give yourself the best start you can and prepare!

It is time to wrap up. If Michel’s story sparked your interest in Bending Spoons, take a moment to peruse their job openings—they are looking for a Senior Android Engineer, a Senior Computer Vision Engineer, an iOS Engineer, and a Senior Product Manager at the moment! Who knows, maybe joining the Bending Spoons team is the opportunity you’ve been looking for.