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.

The UK, particularly London, is one of the top destinations for software engineers looking for work. Many major tech companies have set up offices in London, and it’s also a magnet for many of Europe’s promising startups. There’s a lot to love about living in London: world-class universities and schools, talented people in all fields, and lots of cultural diversity. For all these reasons, the capital of England is a popular target for relocation for many people in tech.

Our team spoke with Mahdi, who found a job as a Tech Lead through Relocate.me and moved to London from Iran. We hope to guide and inspire you with this recap of our conversation if you’re interested in moving to the UK to work in the tech industry. Get to know how to move and live in London!

Here we go.

Mahdi’s background
Home country: Iran
Tech experience: 15+ years
Current tech stack: .NET, Python, and Go
Passions outside of work: Fintech and cryptocurrencies

Why did you choose London as your destination for working abroad?

I had friends in the UK, and another advantage was that my family and I already spoke English, so we didn’t need to struggle with learning another language along with all the other pressures of moving. Speaking fluent English made the decision about relocation to London very much easier.

You found your job in London through Relocate.me—how did the site help with your search and move?

Relocate.me is specifically designed as a job board for IT jobs that provide assistance for relocation. The site also has a lot of resources about relocation, which are very helpful. It made the whole process easier.

You’re working as a Technical Lead at Candesic. Can you talk about the interview process for this position?

I went through four rounds of interviews in total. First, there was a screening interview, which let me learn more about the position. Then I interviewed with the managing partner at the company, which was a general interview to determine whether I would be a good fit for the company and the position. After that, I met with some of their tech people to assess my skills and experience more directly. Finally, I met with the managing partner again to finish the deal.

25 Questions To Ask Your Future Employer (Before Relocation) →

What did you have to do to get a UK work visa?

To move to London from India or immigrate to the UK for work, you need a Skilled Worker visa [formerly a Tier 2 General work visa]. To get one, you need to have a job offer from a company in the UK that has a licence to sponsor you. After you get a job offer, the company will apply for a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from the Home Office, which can take up to a month sometimes. Then the company will get you the CoS information and their sponsor licence number, and then you can apply for the work visa. You can do the whole thing online, including payments, through the UK’s government site. Your dependents and your family can get the same visa as part of your application.

There are two fees that you have to pay:

• The IHS fee, which is for healthcare, and when I applied, it was £470 per person per twelve months. Now, the IHS fee is £1,035 per person per year.
• The Visa fee depends on the length of time you’re applying for. That’s part of the CoS that you’ll get from your sponsor company. The fee for the UK can be pretty expensive, especially compared to other countries. I had to spend about £1,200 per person. Since October 2023, the fee is £1,846 for Route to Settlement visas.

You’ll need a credit or debit card to pay those fees online, though the sponsor may pay for it as part of their relocation allowance, so it’s good to discuss that with them.

After you submit your visa application online, you’ll get an appointment to go to the Embassy or a UK Visa Application Centre (VAC) (operated by VFS Global) to bring in your documents and do the biometrics. My appointment in Tehran was about four weeks after I submitted the application. Doing everything there took about an hour. Then I got my passport with the visa two weeks later.

The visa gives you a one-month entry window. Once you get to the UK, you need to finalise your residency by registering at the police station and getting your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). You get all the info about that when you get your passport and visa. Your BRP card is like your visa that you’ll need to have when you travel outside the UK. However, keep in mind that from January 1st, 2025, the UK government plans to phase out the BRP system. A new digital eVisa system will be implemented, and physical BRP cards will no longer be issued.

A note regarding visas for relocation to the UK

As Mahdi mentioned, one of the requirements for a Skilled Worker visa is having a job offer in hand from an approved UK employer. Visit this link for a list of organisations that are licensed to sponsor workers for this visa. Use the search feature to see whether your target company is on the list and if they can support your move to London from India or any other country.

What relocation assistance did you get from your employer?

My employer covered all of my visa expenses, as well as my flight. I had to find a flat here in London on my own.

How long did it take to actually move after you accepted the job offer?

It was about three months. I could have moved sooner, but I had some things I needed to wrap up in my home country first.

Get personal relocation tips for London →

How difficult is it to find an apartment for rent in London? Are most rentals furnished or unfurnished?

It can be a bit difficult, since Greater London is a big area, and flats in central London are really expensive. When you don’t know what areas in Greater London to look in, and you’re trying to be close to a good school, or anything else you’re looking for, it can be frustrating. I ended up with an unfurnished flat, but there were also furnished ones available.

What are the best websites for finding rental properties in London?

The easiest way to find a place in London is with online portals like Rightmove or Zoopla. It’s all dependent on your budget and where you want to live. There are nine zones in London that go in concentric circles, getting further from central London. The closer to Zone 1 (central London) you want to be, the more you’ll have to spend. It can be a bit overwhelming, but once you know what area you’re interested in, it’s easier to narrow it down, and those online portals are definitely helpful for searches.

Once you find a place, contact the local council authority to let them know your new address, and they’ll issue a council tax bill, which you can use as proof of address. I was also required to notify the police of my change of address within seven days of my move. However, this step is no longer needed. The police registration scheme ended in August 2022, so you won’t have to do that.

A note regarding renting properties in London and England

Finding a property to rent in England is pretty much the same across the country. While it is possible to rent directly through landlords, many prefer to use a third party as a middle-man of sorts.

There are a few things to be aware of when renting in London. The first is that most properties will require a security deposit upfront. This will typically be 4–5 weeks’ rent and legally cannot exceed five weeks’ rent (unless the annual rent exceeds £50,000). These deposits are usually returned at the end of the tenancy, providing the property is in acceptable condition.

On top of the 4–5 weeks’ deposit, the landlord will likely expect the first month’s rent upfront as well, though some may even want two months’ rent!

After the initial deposit and rent payments are sorted, it will just be a monthly payment of the agreed-upon amount. Depending on the tenancy agreement, this will either continue for the contracted period (typically 6–12 months) though some operate on a rolling basis.

These rolling contracts usually have a minimum term of about six months and then just continue on a monthly basis until notice is handed in or another circumstance requires tenants to move out. And just about every contract has a minimum of one month’s notice if the tenant intends to leave the property (unless otherwise stated in the contract!).

When it comes to finding the right property, London boasts a variety of furnished and unfurnished properties. Even unfurnished properties may include curtains, white goods (i.e., fridge, freezer, oven, etc.) and sometimes sofas and beds.

So it’s incredibly important to clarify what furniture comes with the flat before signing the tenancy agreement.

How much does it cost to rent an apartment and cover utilities in London? Numbeo puts the average cost of rent for a one-bedroom apartment in downtown London at £2,200.

That sounds about right for central London. It gets more affordable if you go elsewhere in Greater London. By the time I moved, I was able to find a two-bedroom flat for under £1,300, and it costs around £150 for council tax, £80 for utilities, £30 for Internet, and £25 for mobile. But prices in the UK have risen significantly in recent years. According to Numbeo, people pay around £275 for utilities in London now.

A note regarding the cost of living in London

The cost of living in London greatly reflects why the city has higher wages. Being the capital of England, London’s properties often have a higher price tag, regardless of whether they are being rented or bought. That being said, the cost of living will vary depending on the area or borough you choose.

The more expensive areas, such as Kensington, Mayfair or Chelsea, can easily set renters back £3,000–£5,000+ a month, and that is before any other bills such as utilities, internet or groceries have been paid. This is partly due to the properties themselves and other factors like their central location within the city.

However, if longer commutes are okay, there are cheaper areas, such as the London Borough of Bexley, where properties can be found with rents closer to £1,500.

After rent, there are the general bills. The three main utilities which British households use are;

• Water: the average water bill is about £35 per calendar month.
• Electricity: an average of £56 per calendar month, but this can easily be more or less expensive depending on how many electronic devices are in the property.
• Gas: gas will cost about £65 per calendar month.

Most energy companies will charge the gas and electric bills together but break them down separately. (E.g., the bill will be charged as £100, but itemised as £60 electric and £40 gas). It is also quite easy to reduce the cost of these bills by making small changes.

For example, some houses offer a central heating system that uses gas to warm the home. By opting for warmer clothes and turning the heating off, it is possible to lower this cost.

Then there are internet costs which, according to Numbeo, average £30 per month. In England, most broadband providers also offer various cable TV packages; these will bump up the bill, though!

In England, there is also a charge known as a TV licence which is just over £12 a month, and anyone with access to live TV or the BBC and its channels is required to pay by law.

You can easily compare different UK broadband and TV providers, gas and electricity suppliers, mobile phone deals, and more by using sites like Uswitch.com.

As for groceries, the average food bill costs around £250–£300 per person per month, which is pretty standard across England and depends more on personal shopping habits than the area in which a person lives.

Explore different UK cities →

What’s the average software developer salary in London?

Software engineer salaries are usually above £50,000, which is good. But, of course, it depends on your seniority level and the coding language used.

What percentage of your salary goes to taxes?

Around 25% for those with an average income (around £33,000–£50,000 per year). Those with very high salaries will pay a higher percentage due to the higher income tax bracket (40% or 45%). Their combined tax burden could be well above 30%.

A note regarding taxation in England

In England, higher salaries will mean higher tax rates.

Of the various types of tax the British pay, the largest by far is income tax. This is money that is deducted from a person’s pay cheque by “Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs” (commonly known as HMRC) before it even hits their bank account. This total is worked out by taking a percentage of your salary or predicted earnings, depending on which tax bracket they fall in.

England’s tax brackets can be slightly confusing; most people are given a “tax-free allowance” of about £12,570. Though the amount may differ on an individual basis, the concept surrounding it is the same; there is no tax paid on the first £12,570 (or whatever the amount of the personal allowance is).

After the personal allowance, workers are expected to pay 20% on anything earned up to £50,270. This then increases to 40% on any income between £50,270 and £125,140. And if you are lucky enough to earn over £125,140, you would pay 45% in tax.

So applying this to the average software developer salary in London provided by Indeed—£62,058 per year—income tax would look something like so;

• 0% on the first £12,570
• 20% (£7,540) on the next £37,700
• 40% (£4,715) on the next £11,788

The government has made it easy for you to try and work out your income tax by offering an income tax calculator. And here’s one more easy-to-use calculator to quickly estimate your after-tax pay cheque in the UK.

Another form of tax that UK residents are charged is National Insurance. This is what funds the UK’s health system known as the NHS (which is discussed further on!). Similarly to income tax, this payment is taken out before you receive your pay cheque and varies depending on how much you earn.

National insurance is charged at 12% on earnings between £184.01 and £967 (per week). And then earnings of £967.01 or more a week are charged at 2%. As of April 6, 2024, the main rate of National Insurance for employees is 10%, not 12%.

The last form of tax people living in the UK pay is council tax. This is a monthly bill paid to the local councils. Council tax funds any local renovations, projects, rubbish collections, etc.

How much council tax a person pays depends entirely on the property they live in. In London, this can range from a few hundred pounds per month to over £1,000, depending on the property and the area. If you head over to the UK’s government website, you can find a calculator to determine approximately how much the council tax will be.

England also has a few other types of tax which people pay, such as;

• Consumers tax (VAT): this is typically included in the total cost of items. It is usually stated whether VAT is excluded from the price, so you will know before reaching the checkout!
• Excise duties on alcohol and tobacco.
• Vehicle tax: all cars in the UK must be taxed, insured and MOT’d in order to be road legal.
• Corporation tax: charged on company profit.
• Stamp duties: tax when buying houses or shares.

The last two may be less applicable to most people, especially when first relocating to England. However, they are still good to be aware of, especially if you intend to start your own business or buy a house in the future!

Get an idea of what your net salary in London would be like using this net pay calculator →

Can you tell us a bit about public transportation in the UK?

Well, I live and work in London, so that’s really the only information I can share. In London, there are buses, underground and overground, trains, ferries, and more. The best way to pay for public transportation is to get an Oyster card and top it up whenever you need to. You can also use a contactless debit card or credit card, and the rates are the same. The buses are the cheapest, but they’re also affected by traffic, which can be quite bad sometimes, so it’s slower than the tube or trains.

One way to save some money on a daily commute between two zones of London is with a seasonal Travelcard.

You can also take the famous black cabs, and apps like Uber, Gett, or Kapten are also available.

London has nine zones that are concentric circles expanding from central London outwards.

Google Maps and Citymapper are helpful for finding routes, and you can also get updated information about the schedules on your phone.

London is also bike-friendly, and you can rent a bike or scooter from different services (e.g., Lime or Santander Cycles).

This website offers a comprehensive guide to getting around London.

How difficult is it to open a bank account in the UK?

You’ll need proof of address as well as the usual ID documents that banks typically ask for. Bank statements usually count as proof of address, but of course, if it’s your first account thereafter relocating, that won’t work! The address requirement means that you’ll need to be established in your house or flat, so if you’re not settled yet, it can be tricky. My solution was using Monzo, an electronic bank without any physical branches. You can apply online. You’ll still need a UK address along with your ID, but you don’t need the kind of bill that comes to your permanent residence, so you can use a friend’s place or your temporary residence. You can also get a debit card within the week.

In this article I’ve put together everything you need to know about the UK credit scoring system.

You’ve been living in the United Kingdom for over a year and a half now. Do you have access to National Health System (NHS) services?

Yes, when you apply for a visa, you pay NHS fees, so you have access to all the same services as a citizen, from the very first day that you arrive in the UK.

You can read more about healthcare in the UK in this guide.

England is known for rainy weather. What are winters and summers like in London?

It’s rarely below 0 degrees C in the winter, and it doesn’t snow much. It is windy, which makes it colder, especially on rainy days, which are about 70% of the time during the fall and winter. Spring and summer are usually nicer. Learning to live with the rain is part of becoming a Londoner!

What makes London an attractive place for you as a tech professional?

It’s like the Silicon Valley of Europe! Many big tech companies and startups have offices in the city, so there are lots of opportunities. London is lucky enough to house around 40 unicorn startups, including popular names such as Revolut, Checkout.com, Gymshark, Starling Bank, and Monzo! There might also be a growing focus on deep tech sectors like AI, blockchain and machine learning, according to Dealroom.

London’s tech scene remains a major player in Europe, despite competition from other European cities, such as Berlin and Stockholm. Events like the London Tech Week reveal the city’s strong position as a hub attracting startups, established tech companies, and significant venture capital investment. The city has a diverse ecosystem with companies working in Fintech, AI, and various other sectors.

One last question: what’s one piece of advice you would give someone planning to relocate to London?

Plan ahead! Learn as much as you can about the area before you move. Find a place to live as soon as possible. And be patient—making a big change can be hard, but it’ll get smoother once you’ve settled for a few months.

Find a job with relocation to London

If you’d like to move to the UK for work, the best way is to find a job that will help you relocate. Relocate.me is a niche job board that connects techies with companies that are willing to help you relocate. Have a look at these IT jobs that are currently on offer in London and other UK cities on the platform’s job board.

Good luck!

Japan’s tech sector is experiencing a very interesting shift. While electronics remain a strength, the country is pushing boundaries in areas like AI research, cybersecurity, robotics, and fintech. The Japanese tech sector is hiring international workers to address the talent shortage. When surveyed, about a third of Japanese tech hiring managers mentioned that their biggest challenge was the shortage of skilled candidates. About half plan to increase their headcount.

We spoke to Rupesh Agrawal, who found a Software Engineer job in Japan with the help of Relocate.me, a job platform for techies looking to relocate. He told us first-hand what it is like to live and work in Tokyo and how to move to Japan from India. Here’s a recap of our conversation:

Rupesh’s background

Home country: India
Time in the industry: 10+ years
Current tech stack: Golang, GCP, Kubernetes, and Microservices
Passions outside of work: Cooking

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

I was looking for options outside India, primarily to gain international exposure to the IT industry. I had a friend working in Japan for some time who had great experiences to share — and that’s what pushed me to search for software engineering jobs in Tokyo.

You are now working at Mercari as a Backend Engineer. How many interview stages did you have to go through to get this job? How much time passed between the first interview and the job offer?

I had the first interview in early December 2019 and got the offer for the position in February 2020. There were four rounds of interviews: 

1. A live screen-sharing coding round.
2. An interview with an engineer from Mercari, which was primarily to test how I make tech decisions, handle teams, my exposure to microservices, etc. 
3. An interview with a hiring manager, which was a mix of technical and behavioral discussions. 
4. The final interview was with the VP, which mostly covered behavioral questions, but also included questions on my readiness to accept a new tech stack.

*The interview process may differ depending on the position and other factors.

25 Questions To Ask Your Future Employer (Before Relocation) →

Mercari actively hiring software engineers in Japan

Mercari is a community marketplace app that allows anyone to buy and sell using their smartphones. The company is always on the hunt for tech professionals who are interested in its mission and values, and they want to work with bold engineers, who use the latest technology, make autonomous decisions, and can take on challenges at a rapid pace. If you become part of the diverse Mercari team in Tokyo, you’ll have a hand in developing the industry-leading app that brings millions of people together.

Here are just some of their open positions:

• Engineering Manager, Platform Engineering in Tokyo
• Software Engineer, Platform Engineering in Tokyo
• Senior UX Designer in Tokyo
• Design System Designer in Tokyo

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

To land a developer job at Mercari, you should be comfortable coding on a shared platform, so brush up on this (as programming language probably doesn’t matter as much). Be open to new technologies and share interesting challenges (successes or failures). Microservices architecture experience is a big plus for Mercari.

How to get a visa to work in Japan?

When applying for a Japanese work visa, you will first need to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). To get a COE, your employer (in my case, it was Mercari) must submit an application on your behalf to the Immigration Bureau in the area where you will be working. This can take up to three months to process, so it is important to plan ahead of time.

Once the Certificate of Eligibility has been obtained, your employer must send the original to you so that you can apply for the work visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate in your country. It then takes approximately a week to find out whether your work visa application was successful or not.

Japanese work visas come in a variety of lengths, including:

• 3 months
• 5 months
• 1 year
• 3 years
• 5 years

The duration of your employment contract is one of the key factors that determines the duration of the visa you will be issued. You can apply for an extension of your work visa before it expires, as long as the requirements are met.

You can find more detailed information about Japanese work visas on the website of Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Alternatively, check out this easy-to-read guide.

Remember to apply for a Resident Registration in Japan

Upon moving to Japan, it is important to apply for a “Resident Registration” at the government office nearest to the place of residence within 14 days.

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

Everything was covered by Mercari, from the visa, flight tickets and initial accommodation to the shipping of my belongings. The company really helped me through all the moving process by taking special care to guide me and my family.

Get personal relocation tips for Japan →

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

As soon as I got the Certificate of Eligibility, it just so happened that international travels to Japan were banned and we could not fly to Tokyo. Due to the COVID situation, the plan was delayed but after around 6 months, I have been finally working at the company’s office located in the Roppongi district of Tokyo. I appreciated Mercari’s agility in the difficult situation.

Is it hard to find an apartment for rent in Tokyo? Are most rental properties furnished or unfurnished? Where did you search for apartments?

Mercari provides flat search assistance. In fact, I received support in all aspects of my transition, from getting a phone SIM card, resident card registration and opening a bank account to finding a flat to rent.

Generally speaking, there are a good number of choices when it comes to renting flats. UR properties are a good option that can save on a lot of upfront costs, which are common in other types of flats in Japan. Most rental properties are unfurnished.

UR Housing and RE/MAX are good websites to search for flats.

A note regarding the costs of renting in Tokyo

As Rupesh mentioned, one of the main difficulties with renting in Tokyo is the cost. Initial renting costs are often around 5 or 6 times the monthly rent level.

The first cost is the deposit. This will typically be 1–2 months of rent, which is standard in most countries.

Once the deposit is secured, then there are agency fees, as almost all properties for rent in Japan are only available through a realtor. Agency fees typically amount to somewhere between half a month’s rent, to one full month’s rent.

On top of these, there are other costs, such as ‘key fees‘. These fees were first implemented after bombings during the war, when the emperor at the time placed a cap on rent levels to ensure rental costs would not skyrocket due to the limited housing available. To counteract this, landlords began imposing ‘key fees’ as a way for tenants to say ‘thank you’ for being allowed to live there. Despite the rent cap being removed, this fee unfortunately remains.

One of the last big expenses when it comes to renting in Tokyo is liability insurance. Many agencies will try and oversell or overcharge liability insurance, so it is important to be aware of what should be paid beforehand. Typically, liability insurance should cost around ¥4,000, or €25.

Once a rental agreement has been secured, the main ongoing costs will typically be the liability insurance, monthly rent and a maintenance fee (which is usually ¥10,000, or €62).

Is there anything else you should know about finding housing in Japan?

YES! When renting a flat or buying a house, Japan requires a guarantor or ‘hosyo gaisha‘. A guarantor, (hoshonin 保証 in Japanese), is a Japanese citizen who acts as the co-signer. Alternatively, you can also use a guarantor company (hoshonin-gaisha 保証人会社), instead of a personal guarantor. Your realtor may be able to recommend one for you to use.

To avoid the need to find a guarantor and reduce moving fees, you can live in a shared house (シェアハウス). Companies like Oakhouse and SAKURA-HOUSE offer accommodation: everything is in English and the flats are furnished.

Here’s a quick list of websites (in addition to the ones suggested by Rupesh) where you can search for rental flats in Tokyo:

• Tokyo PLAZA HOMES
• Roppongi PLAZA HOMES
• Real Estate Japan
• Ken Corporation Ltd.
• Housing Japan
• GaijinPot Apartments

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Tokyo? What is the average cost of household utilities?

Flat rental costs can vary a lot based on proximity to Tokyo, public transport stations, and other factors. On average, rent for a two-bedroom flat varies from ¥80,000–¥160,000 (roughly €500–€1,000), depending on the size and location of the flat. All household utilities for a family of four can be covered with ¥80,000–¥100,000 (€500–€620) a month.

How much does a one-bedroom apartment cost in Tokyo?

For a one-bedroom flat (20–40 square metres) in central Tokyo and popular neighbourhoods nearby, you can expect to spend ¥100,000 (roughly €620) or more, with monthly utilities amounting to ¥10,000 (€62) per person. Electricity is typically the most expensive utility.

You can read more about the cost of living in Tokyo here.

What percentage of your salary goes on taxes?

During my first year in Japan, I paid close to 10%. From the second year onwards, this increased as I also had to pay the resident tax.

A note regarding taxes in Japan for expats

All taxes in Japan, including income tax, are divided into ‘national taxes’ paid to the country and ‘local taxes’ paid to prefectures and municipalities.

Resident tax is an income tax that is paid to the municipality where you live. It consists of prefectural (4%) and municipal (6%) tax and is calculated based on your previous year’s income. Hence, this tax won’t apply to you during your first year of working in Japan.

How much income tax is paid to the country is calculated in ‘bands’. If an annual salary falls within a certain ‘band’, then that is how much tax is deducted. The bands are as follows:

• 5% tax paid: under ¥1,950,000
• 10% tax paid: over ¥1,950,000 – under ¥3,300,000
• 20% tax paid: over ¥3,300,000 – under ¥6,950,000
• 23% tax paid: over ¥6,950,000 – under ¥9,000,000
• 33% tax paid: over ¥9,000,000 – under ¥18,000,000
• 40% tax paid: over ¥18,000,000 – under ¥40,000,000
• 45% tax paid: over ¥40,000,000

This is based on income earned by a person between January 1st and December 31st each year. In other words, you pay tax in 2024, for instance, based on your salary in 2023.

What are software engineer salaries like in Japan?

According to TokyoDev’s most recent survey of 713 international software engineers working in Japan, the average annual salary is ¥8,500,000. Almost a third of respondents reported making more than ¥10,000,000, which is roughly €61,980 per year.

To easily estimate your after-tax pay cheque in Japan, use this calculator →

If you had to define public transport in Tokyo in 3 words, what would they be? 

Efficient, convenient, and punctual.

A note regarding transport: Is owning a car in Japan worth it?

Owning a car in Japan is complicated. Road laws mean that cars cannot be parked on the road. So when buying a car in Japan, it is mandatory to show the dealership proof of parking, and this parking spot must be within a certain radius of your residency.

Approximate monthly costs of owning a car in Tokyo:

• Renting a parking spot: ¥16,000 (€100)
• Tax: ¥8,000 (€50)
• Insurance: ¥3,000 (€18.60)
• Gas: ¥127 per litre (€0.8)

The expenses and limitations of owning a car mean that many people in Japan use public transport for their commute to work. The Metro (subway) and buses are two of the most popular options.

There are many different bus lines in the 23 wards of Tokyo, and many have the same flat rate of ¥210 per adult ticket (€1.30). The Metro ranges from ¥170–¥320 (€1–2).

Many people find that buying prepaid passes makes travel much easier. Tokyo offers such a card called PASMO, which allows users to enter the subway by simply tapping the card on the terminal.

What do you enjoy most about living in Tokyo? Is there anything you find strange or unusual?

I enjoy that daily life is stress-free. The great climate and a large number of beautiful parks are also worth mentioning.

Experiencing earthquakes for the first time was a bit unusual for me. My first experience was fun and a bit scary, but for people who have been living here for some time, it’s a usual phenomenon and nothing to be worried about.

A note regarding seasons and climate in Japan

Japan is home to four very distinct seasons, which is something many Japanese people take pride in. Despite being a small nation, this island has the luxury of a climate that allows residents and tourists to experience tropical summers and arctic winters. While this will vary depending on where you live, each season has its own distinct traits throughout the year.

In Tokyo, spring and fall are milder in temperature, typically falling in the mid to high 70 °F/20 °C. Summer in Tokyo is known for being humid, with hot temperatures and sudden rainfall. Tokyo is lucky during winter, with the weather remaining far milder than cities further north. That being said, the capital still experiences plenty of snowfall and low temperatures.

By the way, are you learning Japanese? Or is knowledge of English enough to comfortably live in Tokyo? 

I am learning the local language. Mercari offers in-house language learning programs to help staff learn Japanese (or English for Japanese speakers). It’s not absolutely necessary to learn Japanese, but it is beneficial, especially if you want to fully integrate into your new country.

Explore different Japanese cities here →

Can you tell us a little bit about healthcare in Japan?

Japan has a universal healthcare system that combines national health insurance with private plans. The NHI typically covers 70% of medical costs, with patients responsible for the rest (capped out-of-pocket expenses apply). Having a work visa makes you eligible for NHI. While some hospitals offer English services, availability can vary. Private insurance can help cover the remaining 30% and additional services not covered by NHI.

Mercari offered me complete health and social insurance. In addition to paid leave, I receive 10 days of sick leave from Mercari, 3 additional relaxation days, and up to 10 days of caregiving leave (5 paid) per year.

One last question: what makes Tokyo an attractive place for you as a software developer? 

Tokyo is a world-class city, and you can get the best of everything here. Technology here is evolving quite quickly, and a lot of technology companies are doing great work. Therefore, there are a lot of different opportunities to explore and find the right path for yourself. This is especially the case for game development professionals! Being a software engineer in Japan is a great experience. I will never regret moving to Japan from India.

Thinking about moving to Japan? Find a job first!

If you’ve made it this far, thanks for reading! Hopefully, Rupesh’s story will help you decide whether moving to Tokyo for an IT job at Mercari (or another Japanese company) is the right choice for you. 

Finding a job is a key step in moving to another country. And finding a software engineering job in Japan is easier if you find a company that’s hiring internationally — and helping workers relocate to Japan. Your best option is Relocate.me, a niche job board for techies who want to relocate. The platform connects workers who intend to go abroad for work with companies that hire internationally and are willing to help you relocate. Check our board for IT jobs in Japan.

For many in the IT industry, Estonia, the small Baltic country with a population of just 1.3 million, is not an obvious dream relocation destination for a developer job. 

This country, however, and in particular the capital Tallinn, can easily compete with Berlin, Amsterdam, London, Paris, and the other top cities in Europe when it comes to IT jobs. The combination of easy work permits, many promising startups and leading technology companies based there, plus the country’s high level of English proficiency, make Estonia attractive to foreign talent. It’s also a digital-first country and made headlines when it proclaimed the internet was a human right. They did that in… the year 2000. So, yes—they’re ahead of the curve with it comes to digitisation.

In this article, we will share the story of Artem, who relocated to Tallinn for a software engineering role at Bolt. We hope Artem’s experience will help you decide whether moving to Estonia for work is the right choice. You can also use this in-depth guide as a template on how to move to Estonia. 

Artem’s background

Home country: Ukraine.
Time in the industry: Approximately 5 years, with 2-2.5 years experience at the time of relocation.
Current tech stack: NodeJS + TypeScript. Before relocation, Artem was working with Java and related technologies.
Passions outside of work: Video games, traveling, nature, playing the guitar, reading books, and hanging out with friends.

What made you choose Tallinn as a work abroad destination? Was it by accident or were you actively seeking a tech job in Estonia?

I would say that was an accident. I lived in Kyiv working for a startup and still had more than a year until my master’s degree was complete. Everything was going well, and I didn’t have a strong desire to move abroad. The plan was to graduate from the university and then try to look for work elsewhere in Europe. But at some point, I received a message on LinkedIn from a recruiter. 

Frankly speaking, I was not sure about it. I knew nothing about Estonia, but I agreed to take the call. The recruiter shared links with me links during our first call, but I was still unsure whether Estonia was the place I wanted to live and work. After passing through all the interview stages, I took time to research the country thoroughly. I have friends in different countries, so I also talked to them to understand if it was a good move, and decided to relocate. 

I was amazed and confused simultaneously. How come I hadn’t heard about Estonia before?

You are currently working at Bolt as a Senior Software Engineer. Can you briefly describe their interview process?

When I was hired, there were five stages. The process described is for back-end engineers; mobile and front-end developers have only the two first stages in common. It’s also worth noting that Bolt requires very little technological knowledge, for example, how the JVM works. Just some basic understanding of virtual machines or similar concepts could be helpful. You can code using any language you want in all the interview stages.

• Online task: It’s a simple coding task with a time limit, to be completed whenever you want, without an interviewer.
• The first coding interview: It’s similar to what FAANG companies do. Beginning with a conversation regarding prior experience, before the interviewer then presents you with a problem to solve. A candidate must code their solution. After that, the candidate has time to ask the interviewer about anything. The interview lasts 60–75 minutes.
• The second coding interview or a role-specific interview: Most back-end software engineer interviews are the same as the previous stage, but with another task and another interviewer. Some back-end teams might have a specific interview, like Data Engineering, which focuses more on their specific needs. The length of this interview is also 60–75 minutes.
• System Design interview: The interviewer might ask you what you have previously done and follow up with some questions from a technical viewpoint. After that, the interviewer presents a problem to solve, but you need to approach it on a higher level, without writing the code itself. The initial problem might evolve as you solve it, and you will need to adapt your solution. The interview ends similarly to the others and the candidate can ask more about the company, technologies, approaches, etc.
• Talk with managers: Here, multiple calls may take place. Basically, at this stage, engineering managers try to understand if you are a good fit for their team. It is much more of a casual talk about your expectations and what drives you. I had two such calls.

The process was quick but clashed a lot with my schedule. So in my case, it took around 1.5 months from starting to receiving an offer. I signed the offer digitally, and we agreed on a start date. I should mention here that I asked to set a start date 4 months later, as I wasn’t quite ready just to pack a bag and fly away, but this was not a problem. 

Later, I referred a friend, and he finished the entire process in about two weeks, including the offer stage and some preparations for moving. Three weeks after his first call, we were already tasting Estonian beer together in the local pub. It might not be that quick these days, but it is still fast.

Developer’s Checklist: 25 Questions To Ask Your Future Employer (Before Relocation) →

Do you have any tips for those interested in landing a Software Engineer job abroad?

I do not have the ultimate recipe for everyone. It is always better to refresh your knowledge before you have an interview. I had some ACM experience before, so I focused more on system design topics. If you are expected to have coding interviews, practice using LeetCode. You can’t learn everything once recruitment is in progress, so I just quickly refreshed my memory and briefly read about some parts I was not an expert in. Overall, here are some suggestions I can give regarding interviews:

• Do not be shy, speak loudly. Interviewers want to understand how you think and might guide you if you are going in the wrong direction.
• Ask questions. Candidates are expected to ask questions.
• Make sure you have understood the questions correctly.
• Listen to your interviewer. They are there to help you, not to trip you up.
• If you are given a hint—think about it. A hint does not mean you’ve already failed. If you do fail though, try to get feedback on what went wrong. Even without feedback, you can still analyse what happened and find your weak spots. Focus on them.

What was the relocation process like? 

The relocation process was easy for me and my wife. Throughout the process, a person from the company helped me. I signed the contract digitally, made an appointment with the Embassy of Estonia, gathered all the required documents, and applied for a residence permit. It is indeed quite easy. All the papers were in English. All the payments, like state fees and insurance for my wife, were made by Bolt. They just sent me digitally signed confirmations, and I put them together before going to the embassy. 

The people in the embassy were friendly and helpful. I had an appointment with a consul. She asked a few questions, like why I wanted to move, and checked if all the information was correct in the documents. It took just one visit and I got a temporary residence permit for five years. The permit is linked to my employer, but it doesn’t mean that I cannot change company, but I would need to do so within three months of leaving the previous company. 

The period could be shorter though; for example, it could be one month if I left on my own decision. Usually, it is easy to find a job in IT, even within a month. There are quotas for residence permits, but IT specialists are not among them because of the skills shortage and the economic benefits the industry brings to the country.

Overall, it took two months for me to apply for the permit to receive a physical document. I received confirmation the residence permit was issued via email in a month or so. In another month, I received an email stating that I could pick up my ID card from the police department. There was an option to get it from the police or ask for delivery to Ukraine, but I chose the first option, as Ukrainians can enter Estonia without a visa for a limited time. My ID card was ready for me one month before I moved to Estonia!

The company paid for a flat for the first month in Tallinn (I found it via Airbnb), bought us plane tickets and paid to deliver our belongings to Tallinn. Also, Bolt later paid the broker fee and the rent for the first month of our permanent flat. I didn’t need to have a lot of money to move to Estonia! After moving, everything we needed help with to speed up the process was done by a person that the company assigned us to help. From the moment I landed in Tallinn, he helped me fill in all the documents I needed, like the contract with a family doctor, finding a new home for us, and everything else we needed for a new place.

What did the visa process look like for your wife?

The process for my wife was almost the same. She was applying as a partner without a work contract. In my documents, she was stated as ‘Partner’, and I was also mentioned in her documents. The only thing she additionally needed was insurance. Bolt paid for private insurance for her for one year and sent me confirmation, which was put with other documents before going to the embassy. She booked an appointment with a consul in the same way, but needed to answer a few extra questions about our relationship. My wife was waiting for her new internal Ukrainian documents and applied later. I suggest applying together if you have that possibility. 

My wife was waiting for the decision longer than I was. When we were already in Estonia, she received an email to provide our marriage certificate, translated into Estonian. An associate the company appointed helped us get the document translated and certified within a few days. We sent it via email and my wife got her permit. The permit issued was almost the same as mine, but for two years. 

After two years, she sent a few documents over email and got a new permit for three years, as it is linked to my permit. My wife’s permit allows her to work where she wants, and apparently, she can change employment when she wants. Different projects could help a partner find a job or start a new career, find like-minded people, help you with language learning, or help you, as a partner, get acquainted with the way of doing things, like owning a small business. The unemployment fund also offers to pay for professional courses if you need them, with some limits, that are hard to reach.

Get personal relocation tips for Estonia →

How long did it take for you (as a non-EU citizen) to actually move after accepting the job offer?

In my case, it took around 4–5 months, but that is because I asked for that period to stay in Ukraine, so I didn’t have to leave my current company and so I could spend some time with family before moving. Generally though, one can move much faster. I’m not pretending to be a legal expert, but this is what I’ve generally heard from my colleagues. A person can apply for a residency permit either from their home country or whilst already in Estonia. The employer should register so-called short-term employment until a residence permit is given. 

Another point is getting here. I got here with no issues or additional documents, as Ukrainians can, in normal conditions, enter the Schengen Area with a biometric international passport. If you are moving from a country that doesn’t have that, you can apply for a work visa. Usually, this is issued quickly, but it depends on the country.

In general, is it hard to find an apartment for rent in Estonia? Are most rental properties furnished or unfurnished? Where to search?

It is much easier to find somewhere to live in Estonia than in Berlin or London. It is harder for people with animals and children compared to singles or just couples, though. We found our flat in a few weeks. I just gathered a list of places we liked from local websites (kv.ee and city24.ee) and arranged to view them.

There are both furnished and unfurnished options, but the majority of rental properties are furnished. There are rare cases when properties are semi-furnished, with all necessary things for the kitchen and bathroom furniture, but without extra items, like a TV, microwave oven, sofa, or bed. I won’t say that all owners are happy to buy those things for you, but it is not uncommon. You can make a deal with the owner, purchase additional items, and substitute that amount of money from rent payments. Those things will remain in the flat when you leave of course. Saunas are not uncommon inside your flat in Estonia!

Usually, landlords do not wait for multiple offers or bids, but just rent out to the first person who is ready to move in. In our case, we had almost everything included, but without extras. Kitchen furniture, bathroom furniture and essentials were all included, such as a dishwasher, washing machine, bed, sofa, and integrated cabinets. The owner bought us a TV in the first days and everything else we bought on our own from IKEA or local stores. 

Mostly, we just needed to buy trivial things, like kitchenware, tableware, a kettle, a coffee machine, a few cabinets, pillows, decorations, and so on. In most cases, when you rent a flat you can live there right away and buy these small items later.

Another important thing to know is that everything is official and you should register your place of living. To do so, simply go to the website, log in with your ID card and fill out a form with an attached contract. The owner will receive a request to approve the information. Registering gives you perks, like free public transport inside Tallinn. 

Some owners do not want you to do that so that they can avoid taxes, but you can draft an email to the police and they will force registration for you without the owner’s approval if you have signed a contract. In our case, the owner said that he would register us and it is not an option for him not to do that. The contract signing also takes place digitally. You just sign with your ID card online or locally on your device.

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Tallinn?

For around €600 per month, you can find decent one-bedroom (50–60 m²) options near the centre, in a new building. Historic areas are more expensive. There are many options to rent nice apartments for even €300, but further from the centre and in an older house. There are a lot of renovated old houses, so they are not all that bad. When talking about a single person or a couple who wants to rent a decent fresh and furnished one-bedroom flat, prices are approximate:

• €800–1,200 near the historic area, city centre or harbour. These areas are close to each other, but are quite different.
• €700–900 in areas near the centre.
• €600–800 a bit further afield.

Most of those properties will include some extra perks such as parking, a storeroom, a terrace or a sauna. If you are not limiting your search to fresh buildings, you may find cheaper options in each area.

When you sign the contract, the first payment may include the following:

• The first month’s payment, in advance.
• The broker fee—which might not exist if you contacted the owner directly.
• The security deposit—which is returned if everything is okay when the property. The deposit might be over one month’s pay if there are additional agreements, like if you have a cat or dog.

I pay €600 per month. The building in new (built in 2014). It takes about 12–15 minutes to get right from our building to the historic centre using public transport, or around 8–10 minutes by car. We also have a 10 m² terrace, a small backyard, a private parking spot near the house, and a 5 m² storeroom on the ground floor. It is not overcrowded, quiet and a pretty place. Household utilities vary on the building heavily. 

The cost will not be huge in not-so-old houses (built after 2000), but in older buildings or historic areas, they might cost more in winter. I pay €80–140 monthly for everything, plus €25 for the Internet. Winter is more expensive because of the heating. Occasionally, the whole building undergoes additional work. For example, in our building a few months after we moved, the whole ventilation system was maintained, and in each flat, all the filters were changed. Usually, all owners discuss it and make an appointment for one day, with a flat schedule beforehand. The owner paid for the work. 

There are new buildings near the centre. Some areas are given a second chance and are becoming “hipsterish,” so you have the option to live in a lovely new house even closer to the historic centre with a lot of interesting places nearby.

How much can a Senior Software Engineer expect to make in Tallinn? Does the salary match the cost of living?

The average monthly salary in Estonia is around 1,300–1,400 euro net. Given the cost of living in Estonia, it is a fair salary. In IT, you will make much more than that. I’m not aware of all the wages here, but roughly speaking, senior-level software engineers could make 3,000 euro net per month and twice this if you are skilled enough. 

The average senior software engineer’s salary is €54,000 per year. With bonuses (like stock options and annual bonuses), this may climb even higher. There is a broad range for one role across all companies. Some pay less, some pay much more. It might be a small local company, an outsourcing company, a startup, or a well-established company. Given that, I would not say that salaries are always lower than in other popular European cities. 

You can make a lot here, but even if you make 20-25% less in Tallinn, you can have more money left in your pocket compared to living in other Western European cities. The quality remains the same, but much more possibilities in the future.

Get an idea of what your net salary in Estonia would be like using this net pay calculator →

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

From a professional viewpoint, there are a lot of exciting companies here. Estonia is the leader in the number of tech unicorns per capita. The cost of living is not going nuts, but salaries can be higher than in the most expensive cities. Digitisation is everywhere, and I’m happy about that as a software engineer. 

You can do everything you need online: sign documents, get a mortgage, register an appointment with your doctor, get a drug prescription prolongation in a few minutes, sell and buy a car (even a used one), register your residence, fill and send your tax report in three clicks, and much more. You can do the above by simply using a laptop and your ID card. No queues and no effort; it is fantastic.

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

When I was moving here, I thought it was not a destination for me and I wanted to try other countries. After two years here and travelling across Europe, I’m more confident that it might be the best place to stay and live.

I already mentioned digitalisation, but it is so cool.

You need not spend a lot of time getting to nature; it is close to you—only 20 minutes by car and you are sitting on the beach between the Baltic Sea and the forest, or hiking through the bog.

People are friendly even if you don’t know the language. They try to help you even if you can’t speak the same language as each other.

It is easy to get a mortgage with nice conditions, and real estate prices are still not too high (but they are rising). You can get a decent flat near the centre for €200–350k—which is astonishing compared to Amsterdam or Berlin, for example.

Healthcare is not top-notch, but it is decent. You need not wait 6–12 months like in other countries, but sometimes the waiting period might reach 1–2 months. If you don’t want to wait, private healthcare is available. The prices are not too high. Regular hospitals are good and well-maintained. All your history is tracked in the system, including your tests, prescriptions etc.

It is easy to establish your own small (or large) business here. It is extra easy, really.

Summer is fantastic! In June, there are no nights at all. We go to the beach and chill there till 1 or 2 am without noticing it is late.

The city is not very big, so commuting doesn’t take too much time. I don’t even check the traffic before going somewhere by car. You can find everything you need. Given the number of inhabitants, there are a lot of places to experience fine dining, cocktails or a nice beer.

The city is very safe; you can walk at night without the risk of being stopped by someone who ‘needs to make a call from your phone’.

These are just some things I enjoy here. I was sceptical about Tallinn before moving here, but now I can say it was the right decision.

The winter is dark here, though. I’m okay with it, but it is still a point worth mentioning. The days are short and the nights are long. The weather might be too harsh, but a glass of glögi helps. Also, due to the city’s size, you might face a situation when it is hard to find something you want to buy immediately. You can always order and wait for delivery, but not on the same day. You won’t find the cuisine from the entire world inside one city either, as you can in Berlin, for example.

Another point for me is the connectivity with other countries. You can travel easily to Scandinavia, even by car, or nearby to Latvia and Lithuania (which are nice as well), or inside Estonia (there are many places to go for sure) but that is it. Flight connections are not great, so you often need to stop over in Riga or Helsinki.

Some people will always find negative things in positive parts, but life is full of tradeoffs, and so far, Tallinn is among the best cities with a great ratio of tradeoffs. Meanwhile, Estonia is doing good, and many more things are appearing here.

Are you learning the local language? Or is knowledge of English enough to comfortably live in Tallinn?

Yes, I am learning Estonian, and I recently finished my A1 course. I picked up some basic words easily in the first few months I lived here and it is easy to speak in shops, for example. My wife has already finished level B1.

Inside Tallinn, you don’t need Estonian to live for years. A lot of services are available in English. You can speak English in shops, restaurants or hospitals. Everything important is translated. So, being an expat in Estonia without speaking the language is quite easy. Sometimes though, you might struggle when searching for something specific. There are a lot of options for Russian speakers here too. What is more important to know though is that it is unlikely that you will be treated badly if you don’t speak Estonian.

Anyway, I would strongly suggest at least getting the language basics. No one can integrate into society without language; it is the central part of it. It is about culture. Estonian is difficult. It is among the most challenging languages, and you won’t need it anywhere outside of Estonia. But it is not that hard to slowly learn it. People will appreciate you trying, and a few words in Estonian with your “weird” accent will make people respect you for that.

If you could give one piece of advice to anyone planning to relocate to Estonia, what would it be?

Do not expect that relocation to another country will solve your problems and give you everything right away. Also, do not just be a consumer in your new country—you also might have something to contribute. For example, if you feel that there is a lack of nice fancy cakes or drinks—just try to make it happen yourself. Estonia has a lot of room for you as a contributor! My advice isn’t to not relocate, but the opposite—do not be afraid to take that step, it might be as wonderful a place for you, as it is for me. Regardless, no one is going to lock you here if you don’t like it, but people will most likely try to help you settle in!

Start your relocation process now by finding a job in Estonia!

The best way to move to Estonia is with a job that helps you relocate. Relocate.me helps you get there. It’s a niche job board with tech jobs for software developers, software engineers, or techies who want to relocate. Every job posted on the platform is from an employer who’ll help you relocate — to Estonia or somewhere else. 

Curious to see what Software Engineer jobs in Estonia are currently on offer? You can browse through the list of all available IT jobs with relocation assistance offered to find the perfect fit for you. You can also visit our Estonia page.

Are you planning on living in Estonia? You should definitely consider Tallinn, one of Europe’s hottest startup hubs, as a relocation destination. In this interview, Vita A. shared her experience of living and working in Tallinn as a software developer. You’ll learn from her there are plenty of developer jobs in Tallinn. Read on.

Short bio

Current position: Full Stack Developer @ Perforce Software
Time in the industry: 3 years
Favorite tech stack: Java, ReactJS
Passions outside of work: Yoga and swimming

What made you decide to relocate to Estonia? How long have you been here?

I’ve been living in Estonia for seven years. At first, I came to Tallinn as an Erasmus student, then I came back to study for a Master’s degree. I fell in love with Tallinn very quickly and decided to stay here.

This small city has so much to offer in terms of career opportunities, especially if you’re an IT specialist.

Are Estonians proficient in English?

Estonia ranks high for English proficiency, which is, without a doubt, a distinct asset for international talent. It’s also the leader in the number of tech unicorns per capita.

How did you search for a tech job in Estonia? Any tips for those seeking similar work?

CV Keskus and CV-Online (CV.ee) are the two largest job portals in Estonia. Companies also hire through universities and employee referral programs. Personally, I was referred by my friend for my current job. It is a common practice here.

How to Improve Your (Tech) LinkedIn Profile Before Relocation →

What was the visa process like?

 had a study permit at first, and it had its benefits. For example, after the permit expired, I could still work full-time and stay and work for half a year more in Estonia. I decided not to extend my study permit and apply for a temporary residence permit for work, just because it was valid for five years instead of one. 

My employer prepared an invitation letter for the Police and Border Guard Board, and that was all I needed. Once you meet the salary criteria (your salary has to be not less than the average salary in Estonia, with some exceptions), it is easy to get a work permit. What’s more, for most skilled professions in high-demand sectors, such as the IT sector, the quota system is no longer a problem.

Read Expat Advice: Moving To And Living In Estonia →

What are three things that impressed you the most about Tallinn/Estonia?

To me, it feels that IT is the number one priority in this country. Everything possible is made digital. There is minimum bureaucracy here because you can do pretty much everything online. I also like the Baltic Sea and Tallinn’s beautiful old town :).

What has been the most helpful thing in adapting to your new home abroad?

Estonian classes helped me to read labels in supermarkets and understand basic conversations. Also, going out and meeting with friends helps me not to feel homesick.

What have been some of the most challenging moments so far?

I am still getting used to the Nordic weather. Sometimes, it feels that winter will never end. Because of the lack of sunshine during the winter months, everyone has to take vitamin D supplements. But, Estonian summer days are long and very pleasant.

According to Numbeo, the average cost of rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the center of Tallinn is €660 + €280 for utilities (electricity, water, etc.). Is that true?

Not precisely, €900 is the average price for a good one-bedroom flat in Tallinn, according to Airbnb. However, you can find cheaper and still nice options. The cost of utilities usually depends on the building you live in, but it is approximately €50 in summer and €100 in winter.

In general, is it hard to find an apartment for rent in Tallinn? Could you name a few websites to search on?

Flats for rent are published on KV.ee and City24.ee. There are also several Facebook rental groups. In my opinion, it is neither easy nor hard to find an apartment in Tallinn. If you have any budget limitations or a cat, or maybe in case of searching for a place with no broker fee, then it might take some time to find a suitable apartment. Otherwise, there are various offers on the market.

Share a few words about public transport in Estonia. Is it essential to have a car?

Public transport in Tallinn is accessible and free for citizens, so I don’t feel the necessity to have a car. Generally, everything is so close here, that you might just walk :). At the same time, Estonia is rich in natural attractions, and the best way to get to some National Park or a lake is by car. I’d like to be able to drive outside of Tallinn, but it is definitely not essential to use a car every day.

In your opinion, what makes Estonia an attractive place for software developers?

Estonia for software engineers, is like Milan for fashion designers. It offers lots of career opportunities for tech professionals, there are many IT conferences, hackathons, and meetups happening, in other words, a lot of fun. I would say living in Tallinn is a very smart choice for techies.

What is the average software developer salary in Estonia?

Depending on experience and location, a software developer in Estonia earns approximately €2–4k monthly. The average salary in Estonia is around €1,300-1,400 net per month.

Get an idea of what your net salary in Estonia with our net pay calculator →

How has relocation affected you (your life, your career)? Is it worth moving to Estonia?

The quality of my life and my career have improved significantly here. I have zero regrets about my decision to move to Estonia. It is a well-developed, modern, and safe European country. I really enjoy Tallinn life.

If you could pick one piece of advice to anyone relocating here, what would it be?

Be prepared for long dark winters. The weather here is a painful topic :D.

Convinced about starting a new life in Tallinn? Start by looking for a job!

The best way to relocate to Estonia and live the Tallinn life is to get to the Baltic–Nordic country with a job. Relocate.me is the best place to finding developer jobs in Tallin that will make living in Estonia possible. It’s a niche job board for techies who want to relocate. Every company that lists a job on Relocate.me is open to hiring international talent—and will help candidates relocate. Moving to Tallinn is considerably easier if you have a job helping you settle over there.

Curious to see who is currently hiring in Tallinn and what software engineering positions are available? Have a look at Relocate.me’s job board for developer jobs in Tallinn. You can also visit our Estonia page.

A Senior Full Stack Software Engineer based out London, Nick Jacobs came onboard Yoco in the spring of 2015. Let’s deep dive into his life and see what happened once Nick moved to South Africa.

We were in 2013, and I was almost wrapping up 25 years in financial services with a stint at Barclays in London. But, what’s next? What was going to be my next move? Since quite a few days, I had been planning about “starting something in Africa.” So, without further ado, I put into action my networking skills to come up with something fruitful.

Are you wondering why Africa? Well, the first time I met Rapelang Rabana at a Barclays Africa event in London, my fondness for Africa, especially South Africa grew. She talked about Rekindle, her new venture which is an e-learning based start-up. Once the talk was over, I approached her, and we connected via email and a casual coffee meet up while she was in London. Rapeland was all praises for Cape Town – she talked about the trending start-up scene, the pleasant weather, the amazing people, and how I would fall in love with the city. She strongly advised me to move there.

I took her advice seriously and visited the Mother City in August 2014 for the first time. The moment I reached the city, I was attracted to the people and the city. I soon got back to London, determined to permanently move to Cape Town.

I was introduced to Yoco

During that period, Rapeland introduced me to one of the founders of Yoco, Lungisa Matshoba. She has co-founded Yeigo with Lungisa. Rapelang firmly believed that with my experience in fintech, Lungi (as he is known to most of the people) and I would form a strong team. Our first conversation over the phone in October 2014 was great. But, Yoco had just launched their card machine and app’s pilot, and we mutually agreed that we would speak again at the beginning of 2015.

As discussed, Lungi got in touch with me in January 2015. We concluded that I would work as a remote consultant during until I got my visa, and this opportunity would serve as a trial to assess the “fit” between Yoco and I. During this period, I was introduced to Andrew Snowden, who was going to become my manager and Yoco’s VP of Engineering. We began working on a project that would bring important components of Yoco’s automated onboarding process for new merchants. I was stunned to learn Yoco’s vision and the product.

The visa application process

To be honest, the visa process was challenging. One of the most intriguing aspects of relocating to South Africa was that I could sponsor my critical skills visa on my own.

The Critical Skills Work Visa is a work permit issued to applicants who possess exceptional qualifications and skills that are rarely found in South Africa.

I initiated the process in September 2014, and it took almost 6 months to put together all the paperwork.

Background verifications by the police from each country I’d stayed in as an adult, getting my American university degree certified by SAQA, and joining the IITPSA, a professional society in South Africa. There were numerous emails, phone calls, trips to the post office and courier services as I worked with the various agencies in South Africa to get my paperwork approved.

Finally, in March 2015, I was elated to learn that my visa was approved. Nothing could stop me from moving to Cape Town!

*In its drive to attract top talent from around the world, Yoco actively assists its foreign employees in obtaining their critical skills visa.

All set for the big move

I moved to Cape Town by the end of March 2015. I was immediately surrounded by the support and friendliness of my colleagues at Yoco. You won’t believe, the Talent Manager fetched me from the airport in the middle of the night and drove me to my hotel. Worn out but enthusiastic, I was all set to begin a new chapter of my life.

Each day came with a new set of challenges. I was attracted to the massive potential of Yoco’s vision and the energy of my teammates. In the beginning, I found the work speed to be slow compared to my work life at Barclays, but with the advent of time, I got the hang of how to adjust my priorities and focus on my work so that I could come up with the best possible solution for Yoco’s clients.

Three years down the lane…

Last and the most important thing, I have absolutely no regrets about moving to Cape Town and joining Yoco. Trust me; it is a fabulous place to stay, full for warmth, friendly people, and a chance to connect with new people each day. Not to forget – my colleagues, their energy, and friendly attitude. It’s been a fantastic journey ever since the day I joined Yoco. Here, I can see the results of my hard work every day, both for my team and Yoco’s customers. Yoco provides me with a platform where I can learn, experiment, freely commit mistakes.

While moving to Cape Town comes with a few challenges, I think that if you talk to anyone who’s relocated, you’ll come across similar tales. Even after 3 years, I’m glad to call Cape Town my home, and I am sure you will too!

To dive deeper into the life at Yoco, watch its employee video:

Consider relocating to Estonia? In this interview, Anna, a passionate tech recruiter and our good friend, shares her experience about living and working in Tallinn, “Estonia’s forward-thinking capital city and innovation hotspot”. Hopefully, her story will be a great source of inspiration to you.

What made you decide to relocate to Estonia? How long have you been here? 

Estonia is known for being extremely inviting to incoming expats and, importantly, it has a strong IT community. Living costs in Estonia are considered to be lower than in most other European countries, the visa process is not that complicated…

There are also many other exciting things (e.g., ease of travel within Europe, lots of talented people around that raise the bar high) that inspired me to choose Estonia and Tallinn in particular for my first experience of living abroad. I moved here in summer 2017.

What company do you work for? What is your position? 

I’m a recruiter I help Taxify’s Engineering team grow in Tallinn and our Operations function in tens of countries in Europe, Africa, and South America.

Outside of work, what are your passions? 

My work is my passion Traveling is also something I love to do in my spare time. Since I moved to Estonia, it has become my hobby. Tallinn and nearby cities such as Helsinki and Riga have excellent flight connections with Europe and many other countries around the world. It’s super easy and cheap to hop on a plane and spend a long weekend in Oslo or Paris, for instance. 

What was the visa process like? What type of visa did you apply for?  

Estonia is one of the easiest countries to move to. It was one of the reasons I decided to relocate here. 

Firstly, Taxify registered my short-term employment with the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board. After that, I applied for a D-visa. The overall process took around 2-3 weeks and involved minimal paperwork.

When I arrived, my company arranged my visit to the Police and Border Guard Board where I applied for my residence permit, an ID card which would give me all the same rights and access to e-government services as any other Estonian citizen. 6 weeks later, my ID card was finally issued. There is also an opportunity to apply for residence permits for you and your family in the embassy. This will speed up the process.

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

Despite the pretty fast visa process, it took me about 2 months to move, mostly because of my notice period.

Share a few words about the company and your new team

Taxify is a team of smart and fearless people. We’re building the future of transport – a platform that connects you with cars, motorcycles, scooter sharing, and anything else you need to move around in your city.

When I joined Taxify, in June 2017, the size of the company was around 180 employees globally; now, this number is more than 650! It’s exciting and challenging at the same time to be part of such a company, and I love it! 

Taxify has offices in more than 25 countries and employs people from 59 different nationalities – pretty diverse As for our Tallinn office, there are 200 people from over 27 counties, and we’re still actively hiring talent from abroad, mainly for our Engineering team. Relocating from Mexico to Tallinn? No problem, we got it covered. Our company offers generous relocation packages for software engineers and their families.

What are the best things about living and working in Estonia?

Estonia is a perfect place for those who’d like to gain experience working at a startup. There are plenty of amazing startups at different stages here. If you’re thinking of building your own product in the future, local companies will give you such a great learning opportunity.

Tallinn is a city for everyone. Whether you’re a family person looking for a safe and welcoming place to raise your children (free schooling and medicine) or you’re a free spirit in search of new impressions (creative hubs, outdoor activities), you will definitely find something to do here!

What has been the most helpful thing in adapting to your new home abroad? 

A lot of help for expats comes from the government (workinestonia.com) and companies themselves. In my case, the company and the team were the most helpful. Whatever situation or questions I encounter, I know that I’ll always get assistance from my fellow teammates who have already become my good friends.

Is English enough to comfortably live in Estonia and Tallinn in particular?

Absolutely! During my stay, there were only a couple of cases when English wasn’t enough. All young Estonians speak English well.

According to Numbeo, the average cost of rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the centre of Tallinn is €500. Is that true?

Yes, the numbers available on Numbeo are pretty precise. However, Tallinn is not a big city, so the areas that can be called “city centre” are quite numerous. You can find a one-bedroom apartment in 20-30 minutes walk from the Old Town for €350-450. The cost of utilities depends heavily on the type of your house, kind of heating (central, electric, or a fireplace), and tenant community. For a one-bedroom flat, I’d say the overall costs could vary from €60 in summer to €150 in winter.

In general, is it hard to find an apartment for rent in Tallinn? Could you name a few websites to search on? 

In my experience, it’s not difficult to find a nice flat in Tallinn. It might take you around 2 weeks. The best websites to search on are City24.ee and KV.ee. Both are easy to navigate and have an English version.

If you had to define public transport in Tallinn in 2 or 3 words, what would they be? 

There’s only one word to describe it: FREE! As soon as you get residency and register your place of residence, you can connect your public transport card to your ID card and use free public transport that includes buses, trams, and regional trains.

In your opinion, what makes Estonia an attractive place for software developers? 

The IT industry is one of the leading industries driving the Estonian economy. The government supports the development of tech companies and startups. Those, in return, create a really cool community of like-minded people (conferences, meetups, university collaborations, etc.) and attract massive investments. 

Estonia produces more startups per capita than any other country in Europe. This means that software developers over here will always have an interesting and challenging product (project) to work on – Skype, TransferWise, Taxify, Pipedrive, and a number of other exciting new startups and emerging companies.

What is the average software developer salary in Estonia? 

I would say it varies from 40k to 70k euro gross per year (2500-4500 euro per month after taxes) depending on the level of seniority, the type of the position, your tech stack, etc.

Such a salary perfectly aligns with the average numbers in most of the Western European countries, but mild taxation (a 20% flat rate) and a lower cost of living make Estonia quite an attractive place to live nonetheless.

How has relocation affected you (your life, your career)? Is it worth moving to Estonia? 

Moving to Estonia and especially joining Taxify has had a huge impact on my career. I’ve learned a lot and continue to do so. It has allowed me to dive deeper into international recruitment and even became a speaker at the largest international conference – Sourcing Summit Europe (a big thing in the recruitment world).

If you could pick one piece of advice to anyone relocating here, what would it be?

It’s not that cold over here, but be prepared for long nights in winter and long days in summer.

Read also: Landing A Tech Job Abroad: 7 Simple Tips

What is it like to live as an expat in Croatia? In this interview, Mackenzie, a passionate communications manager and a very positive, interesting person, shares her experience about living in Zagreb, the capital and the largest city of Croatia. Hopefully her story will be a great source of inspiration to you all. Enjoy the read!

What is your name? 

Mackenzie Schnell.

Where are you from? 

I’m from the USA.

What inspired you to relocate to Croatia? How long have you been here? 

The biggest factor in my decision to move to Croatia was definitely the career opportunity with Oradian. The company is growing quickly in so many ways: expanding in its current markets and entering new markets around the world, building new functionalities in its core banking system, recruiting top talent from the microfinance and fintech industries and creating a unique brand. With this much happening, I knew I would be hard-pressed to find another company that would offer the same amount of learning, number of interesting projects and level of autonomy. 

I was open to relocating in the first place because I had the mentality of, “Why not?” Croatia and Zagreb were enticing as a home base. The city and Oradian offer a lifestyle that, I think, is becoming more and more difficult to find. 

I’ve been in Croatia for just over one year. 10/10 would recommend.

What is your current role at Oradian? 

Senior Communications Manager.

Outside of work, what are your passions? 

My passions outside of work are oddly similar to what I do at work. In my free time, I am writing screenplays and documentaries about stories that are worth sharing – kind of like what I’m doing from 9am-5pm by documenting Oradian’s customer stories, writing case studies and creating testimonial videos about our customers’ businesses. 

Besides pressing keys on a keyboard, I also spend a lot of time bicycling, playing sports, wondering what I will make for dinner, traveling and going to random events in Zagreb.

How did you search for a job in Croatia? Any tips for those seeking similar work?  

A) Go through a really laborious process of calling the embassy, hand writing letters to career advisors and researching expat procedures. 

B) Search jobs portals for your industry. I was in the financial inclusion space before joining Oradian and I knew I wanted to stay. I found my job on Microfinance Gateway’s job site. 

Honestly, I only know of a few companies in Croatia that are actively hiring expats – and that expats enjoy working at. I have heard many Croatians say that ‘typical’ Croatian companies aren’t great places if you want a dynamic career in a positive atmosphere. 

What was the visa process like? What type of visa did you apply for? 

The visa process was much easier than I expected. Oradian’s Operations Team sent the forms that I had to fill out so I only need to know my name, birthday, address, etc. With the Operations Team, I applied for a work permit using the employment contract from Oradian and the temporary ‘stay permit’ using my housing contract. In total, I only had to go to one of the dreaded Croatian administrative offices three times. 

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

One month. I signed the contract and found someone to sublease my apartment at home. I sold most of my stuff on Craigslist and packed everything I wanted to bring in two gigantic suitcases.

Share a few words about the company and your new team

I like that you can be yourself in the office and there’s not a lot of stiffness (i.e. people pretending not to be humans). The number of people in my team is four, but it’s a growing department. I work with people from Tunisia, South Africa, Slovenia, Cameroon, other Americans, the Philippines, you name it.

What are three things that impressed you the most about Croatia/Zagreb? 

1. When the sun is shining, the streets are filled with people hanging out and socialising on terraces with coffee, beer, wine and good energy. 
2. Croatian is useful but not necessary because 9/10 people that I meet speak better English than I do as a native English speaker.
3. It seems like everyone’s grandma is busy making amazing Croatian food and sweets and inviting strangers to their homes to attest that they make the best ‘insert traditional food name’ here.

What has been the most helpful thing in adapting to your new home abroad? 

Supportive colleagues that invite you places and send you links for helpful resources.

What’s one of the biggest differences between working in Croatia and working in your home country? 

People in Croatia stop working after a certain hour in the day.

According to Number, the average cost of rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the center of Zagreb is €400 + €175 for utilities (electricity, water, etc.). Is that true? 

Seems like a high price for rent to me, or I have low standards for housing. I live 15 minutes from the city center and share my apartment with one roommate. It’s EUR 250 for rent + EUR 80 for utilities.

In general, is it hard to find an apartment for rent in Zagreb? Could you name a couple of websites to search on? 

No, it’s not hard, especially because it’s common for families to own multiple apartments/houses in Croatia and rent their spaces out. It’s easy to find someone who knows someone who is looking for a tenant. Or check out this website. 

If you had to define public transport in Zagreb in 2 or 3 words, what would they be? 

Easy, above ground, only four kunas ($0.50 for 30 minutes).

What is the average software developer salary in Croatia? 

Hard to say because it depends a lot on which company they work for. Oradian’s developers earn competitive salaries, especially for this part of Europe.

If you could pick one piece of advice to anyone relocating here, what would it be? 

Bring sunglasses

Are you looking for the right relocation opportunity? Click here to view software developer jobs currently available.

Three weeks ago, Oleg, a passionate web developer from Russia, got on a plane and headed to Belgium for a challenging new job at Showpad. We spoke to Oleg to hear first hand what it takes to get a great software developer job abroad and how things are going after his move to Ghent. Here’s his story:

Short Bio

Name: Oleg Merkulov
Current position: Software Engineer @ Showpad
Time in the industry: 14 years
Favorite tech stack: PHP, MongoDB, Yii
Passions outside of work: Riding a motorcycle, a scooter, and a bicycle. Traveling in general.

What made you decide to relocate to Belgium? 

I was inspired by the work-life balance in Belgium.

How long have you been here?

I have been living here for three weeks.

How did you search for a job in Belgium? What was the role of Relocate.me in the process?

I was looking for a new software developer job somewhere in the EU and came across one at Relocate.me that fit me the best. I applied for it without delay. On Relocate.me, I also learned what I could expect in terms of relocation support. It’s incredibly helpful! I already recommended the platform to my friends.

Tell us a little about the selection process for the position of Software Engineer at Showpad. How many interview rounds did you have to pass?

There was an HR interview. Then there was an interview with the CTO that was very cool! We discussed my code on GitHub. Next was a general interview with one of the company’s managers. I was invited to come to Ghent for a day (flight expenses were covered by the company) and complete a test task. Finally, there was an on-site interview in Ghent with various people.

I received my job offer two days after the on-site interview. Each of the stages took about a week. The hardest and most exciting one for me was the test task. 

Going through all that, what advice would you give?

Be honest and keep trying.

Share a few words about the company and your new team

Really nice, open, and hospitable people. Everyone here understands that relocation to another country is a serious step. They are always supportive and ready to help.

The team is mostly comprised of local developers, however, there are some from abroad — from the USA, England, and the Netherlands. It started as a startup, but today Showpad is a close-knit team of 200 workers based in the US (Chicago and San Francisco) and London. I am so happy to be part of it.

What was the visa process like? What type of visa did you apply for?

I applied for the type B work permit. An application must be submitted by an employer, so the visa process for me was really easy. I just sent two documents to my employer: a translated copy of my university degree and a special medical certificate. The latter has to be less than three months old and be issued by a clinic/hospital accredited by the Embassy of Belgium. There are only four of them in Russia. Overall, it took about two weeks to finish the process.

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

Three months.

What are three things that impressed you the most about Belgium?

The attitude towards the environment (the tidiness everywhere); people’s kindness and willingness to help out; the excellent work-life balance.

What has been the most helpful thing in adapting to your new home abroad?

A hammer to assemble IKEA’s furniture

Is English enough to carry on daily life in Belgium?

I haven’t met someone who couldn’t understand me. Belgians speak Dutch, French, and English. The working language is also English.

According to Number, the average cost of rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the center of Ghent is €700. Is that true?

Yes, it’s something around it. I’m living in the center of the city in a studio flat for €660 a month apart from gas, electricity, and water. The overall cost is about €800 a month. Locals say to me that it’s too expensive and it’s possible to find a cheaper variant. I just didn’t want to waste time so I decided to stay here.

In general, is it hard to find an apartment for rent in Ghent? Could you name a couple of websites to search on?

The problem is that locals tend to rent apartments to students because they will pay lower taxes. If you’re not a student, it can be hard to find good accommodation. A few websites to search on:

• Immoweb
• Realo
• Logic-Immo
• Zimmo
• Appartementen en Studio’s te huur in Gent (Facebook Group)

The sites are mostly in Dutch, but every person here speaks English. Don’t hesitate to contact them in English.

If you had to define public transport in Ghent in 2 or 3 words, what would they be?

Convenient, comfortable, and affordable.

What is the average software developer salary in Belgium?

In Belgium, salaries are not a thing that is openly discussed. However, for a mid-level software engineer, I suppose that figure is €2500 (gross). If you are single, taxes for you will be about 40%. From my experience, I can say that the salaries offered are sufficient to live comfortably here — all your personal needs will be met.

In your opinion, what kind of skills and qualities are the companies looking for in software developers? What was your recipe for success?

First off, be open, kind, and show that you are ready to learn something new. Companies are looking for someone for a long-term position and they can be very picky if you’re a foreigner. However, Belgium has a shortage of tech workers so companies are always after skilled software engineers.

Would you like to move your career abroad too? Click here to view software developer jobs currently available.

What is it like to live as an expat in Finland? In this interview, Ekaterina, a skilful marketer and a passionate travel blogger, shares her experience about living in Helsinki. Hopefully her story will be a great source of inspiration to you all. Enjoy the read!

What is your name?

Ekaterina Popova.

Where are you from?

I’m originally from Vyborg, Russia. This town is located near the Russian-Finnish border, just 70 kilometers away from Lappeenranta. I moved to Finland in August 2011 and have been living here since then.

What company do you work for? What is your position?

I’ve worked at five Finnish companies so far. In 2016, I moved from Lappeenranta to Helsinki and started working as a marketing specialist at an IT company. Last November, I started my own marketing company that offers content and influencer marketing to companies in Finland and the UK.

Outside of work, what are your passions?

Travelling, writing, and helping others are my three biggest passions and I manage to fulfill all of them through my personal blog where I share practical aspects about life in Finland and diverse how-tos for young professionals (especially expats like me), travelers, and sports enthusiasts.

What inspired you to relocate to Finland? How long have you been here?

When I was 14-years-old, my parents decided that I would get my degree in Finland because higher education was free here and this country could give me good career opportunities. That’s why they invested money into private English lessons and group Finnish classes. In 2011, I got a study place at Saimaa UAS and moved to Lappeenranta. As of August this year, it will be seven years since I relocated to Finland.

How did you search for a job in Finland? Any tips for those seeking similar work?

I found my first job through TE-toimisto. When I decided to relocate to Helsinki, I used LinkedIn and mol.fi a lot. I wrote a blog post and shared a video on YouTube with tips for those looking for a job. Both can be found here.

What was the visa process like? What type of visa did you apply for?

As a student, I had the study permit (visa B) for three years. After getting a full-time job, I got the work permit first for one year and then for four years. Last year, I got my Finnish citizenship. For me, the visa process was never an issue, and I never had to stay in the country waiting for my new permit. Maybe I got lucky or maybe my documents were always in order — who knows!

What are the best things about living and working in Finland? 

There are many things to be grateful for in Finland: security, beautiful nature, free education, high salaries, a healthy and active lifestyle, positive and friendly people… I’ve covered all of them in more detail in one of my recent blog posts.

What has been the most helpful thing in adapting to your new home abroad?

I had a basic level in Finnish when I moved here back in 2011, and I can say that Finnish has been the most helpful thing for sure! Besides, I was only 18-years-old when I moved here, so it was easier to adapt because I was wild, young, and free.

Is English enough to comfortably live in Finland?

English is enough to comfortably live in Helsinki, but if you live in a town like Lappeenranta, I recommend you to learn at least some basics.

How do you find life (housing, cost of living) in Helsinki?

Life in Helsinki is more expensive than anywhere else in Finland. I rent a studio of 27 square meters in the city centre for 850 euros (all costs included). In this blog post you can find more detailed information about cost of living in Helsinki with price examples!

In general, is it hard to find an apartment for rent in Helsinki? Could you name a couple of websites to search on?

I’m getting a feeling that I have a blog post for every question you ask! Finding an apartment is not the easiest thing to do, but still possible. Before you start looking for apartments, first decide how long you’re planning to rent it. In most cases, you have to stay in the apartment for 6-12 months. Besides, keep in mind that you will also have to pay a deposit that’s equal to 1-2 months rent and get some home insurance. Here you can find more tips.

What’s the average software developer salary in Finland?

I assume that the average software developer salary is about 3,500 euros.

Share a few words about public transport in Finland. Is it essential to have a car?

In Helsinki, you can easily manage without a car. Public transport goes regularly and takes you from any place A to any place B. Outside Helsinki, you can’t live without a car. I got my first car two weeks after moving to Lappeenranta and, believe me, I couldn’t manage there without it!

What advice would you give to people who are considering relocating to Finland? Why is it worth moving to Finland?

I can discuss this topic for hours. Tastes differ and different people seek different things in life. Finland is a good country for me. I see more pros than cons in living here and thus I would say that, yes, it’s worth moving to Finland. However, other people might have a different opinion on that.

Would you like to move your career abroad too? Click here to view software developer jobs currently available.