Meta (Formerly Facebook) Tech Jobs in Europe

Cities: Paris, Zurich, Prague, Milan, Rome, Warsaw, Hamburg, Berlin, Amsterdam, Madrid, London, Dublin, Cork

Relocation package: Lump sum payment, services of a moving company, car/home rental assistance, flight coverage, temporary housing, health insurance, networking events

Most common projects: Facebook core, WhatsApp, Instagram, AR/VR (Oculus, Portal)

Meta (formerly Facebook) has evolved to encompass a multitude of products and apps. You’re probably familiar with the flagship Meta products like Messenger, WhatsApp, and Instagram, but did you know that there is a gaming department? Or an AI division? Needless to say, there’s a lot more work happening than first meets the eye. 

The best way to find open positions at Meta in Europe is by using this map. The London office has the most job opportunities in Europe, and the most Engineering positions. There are also positions in marketing and HR at this office. The Zurich office seems to be geared towards gaming and AI – they are working on Computer Vision. Paris has another big Meta office, they are focused on AI research, so plenty of opportunities for research scientists. And so on, you can check the map to learn more about each office.

Facebook Tech Jobs in Europe → 

Amazon Tech Jobs in Europe

Cities: Luxembourg, Berlin, Amsterdam, London, Cambridge, Barcelona, Madrid, Dublin

Relocation package: One-time payment or relocation package (travel costs coverage, home and car rental for a couple of months, a small cash bonus)

Most common projects: Amazon marketplace, AWS, Alexa

What started as a book and music-selling marketplace in 1994, has become one of the biggest tech companies in the world and the world’s second-largest employer. With around 1.5 million employees in its offices worldwide, Amazon offers plenty of jobs in Europe for software engineers, machine learning professionals, and cloud experts, as well as embedded engineers and data scientists. 

Amazon’s European headquarters are in Luxembourg, but the hotspots for software engineering jobs are at the Berlin and Dublin offices. There are also a surprising amount of opportunities in Spain (Madrid and Barcelona) and in the UK at the London offices. Check out their career page to discover all the opportunities. 

Amazon Tech Jobs in Europe →

Apple Tech Jobs in Europe

Cities: Cork, Munich

Relocation package: Lump sum payment + moving assistance

Most common projects: Siri, Hardware, iCloud, Apple Music, Apple TV

Apple’s working policy is probably the most secretive among all the FAANG companies. It is prohibited for most employees to discuss work-related stuff, even with their families! However, that doesn’t make Apple less popular with hardware and software engineers who are looking for new opportunities. On the contrary, the company is highly valued by its employees, thanks to excellent internal communication, decent base pay, amazing benefits & friendly co-workers.

The main Apple offices in Europe are based in Cork, Ireland, and Munich, Germany. Although you can find a few engineering positions in the Cork office, they seem to predominantly hire customer service and support staff. The Munich office, on the other hand, actively hires software and hardware engineers – so if that’s your field of expertise, head there first. 

Netflix Tech Jobs in Europe

Cities: Amsterdam, Berlin, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Paris, Stockholm, Warsaw

Although Netflix has its offices in seven European cities, there aren’t really any software engineering positions going at the moment. Although, if you are in Marketing or Finance, there are opportunities in Berlin and Amsterdam. Jobs at Netflix are converted and highly competitive, so it’s best to check in regularly so you don’t miss any new posts. 

Google Tech Jobs in Europe

Cities: Aarhus (Denmark), Amsterdam, Athens, Berlin, Brussels, Bucharest, Copenhagen, Dublin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Lisbon, London (x3), Madrid, Milan, Munich, Oslo, Paris, Prague, Stockholm, Vienna, Warsaw, Wrocław, Zurich 

Relocation package: Lump sum payment or relocation package (travel and moving expenses coverage, temporary housing, car rental, visa assistance, pet relocation, the assistance of a moving company)

Most common projects: Google Search App, Google Cloud, Google Maps, Gmail, Google Chrome, YouTube Technology Services, Google Meet

Among all the FAANG companies, Google has the most offices in Europe compared to any other FAANG company – three just in London! With such a widespread network, you’re sure to find an opportunity nearby. Apparently, Zurich has the biggest office where more than 2,000 employees work on products like Google Maps, YouTube, and Gmail. 

You might be one step from becoming a Noogler if you’re a passionate Java, C++, Python, or Go engineer, data scientist, or machine learning engineer with expert knowledge of NLP and/or Speech/Audio/Video processing. However, Google also offers technology-agnostic positions. This guide will help you find a vacancy at Google Europe that is fit for you.

 

Find FAANG (MAANG) Jobs in Europe

Hopefully, you found this article helpful and were able to pick out a few jobs that matched your skills and experience. Remember, FAANG jobs are difficult to get, and often candidates need to apply and interview multiple times before they make the cut. So while you should take extra care with your application, don’t be discouraged if you get rejected. You are competing with some of the best engineers in the world and it’s okay if you aren’t ready yet. 

MAANG jobs aren’t the be-all and end-all. There are dozens of companies in Europe that can offer similar pay and career progression. And given that Big Tech companies aren’t what they used to be, it might even be a better career choice to join a rising unicorn rather than one of these faltering corporations. Check out our job board to find something that better matches your career goals. 

Apple Tech Jobs in Ireland

Cities: Cork
Teams: Computer Integrated Manufacturing, Business Analytics, AI/ML, EMEA Test Engineering, Apple Manufacturing
Average software engineer salary in Ireland: €48,000 per annum (more about salaries in Ireland)

Apple’s European HQs could hardly be placed in any country other than Ireland. More than 40 years ago, when Apple was just on its scaling stage, Steve Jobs chose Cork as the center for all the company’s European operations. The importance of the Irish facility hasn’t diminished since then. Nowadays, Apple’s Cork office employs 6,000 people in both tech and non-tech departments. As the main European office, Apple Ireland offers plenty of tech jobs for software developers and other techies. The knowledge of PHP (Symfony, Codeigniter), JavaScript (Angular, NodeJS, Express), and Python is highly valued at the Cork office since this tech stack is used for the development of internal tools used by Apple for shop floor control and business analytics. 

To ensure that the end product is flawless, Apple Ireland also actively recruits skillful QA Engineers in its Irish office (the knowledge of scripting languages such as Perl or Python will be an advantage if you decide to apply for one of the QA positions). Lastly, if you’re a Hardware Engineer with a knowledge of C, C++, or C#, you can become a member of the Apple Manufacturing team at the Cork office and maybe even design a part of the newest version of the iPhone or MacBook!

A quick tip: As one of the greenest and richest European countries, Ireland became home to a decent number of tech giants and mid-scale companies. So, if you are a software developer who looks forward to relocation, it might be a worthy destination to consider. Learn more about relocation to Ireland here, and check if this country could become your new home!

Apple Tech Jobs in Germany

Cities: Munich, Stuttgart, Berlin, Aachen, Heidelberg
Teams:  Hardware, Computer Vision, WebKit Developer Tools
Average software engineer salary in Germany: €55,000 per annum (more about salaries in Germany)

Most renowned tech giants have a strong presence in Germany, and Apple is not an exception. The company’s biggest German office found home in Munich — a majestic Bavarian city, which is one of Tim Cook’s favorites. Initially, the Munich team was gathered to assist engineers at Cupertino (Apple’s global HQs) in improving Apple’s power management solutions. So, it’s no wonder that most of the jobs there are related to the Hardware team. 

Apple’s Munich team is constantly looking for Digital Design Engineers, Signal Processing Experts, Circuit Designers, CAD Design Engineers, and Wireless Platform Architects, among others. Some of these positions are devoted to the development of cameras on Apple devices, which is more than exciting since any camera improvements are much valued by end-users! Moreover, some of the hardware-related positions can also be found in Stuttgart; so, if you’re a Hardware Expert who wants to join Apple, you can freely choose among these two cities.

Needless to say, there are plenty of software engineer jobs at Apple Germany as well. If you’re an expert in JavaScript and/or C++, you can contribute to the development of WebKit Web Inspector and Safari WebDriver in Apple’s Berlin office. The Berlin team is also actively looking for Computer Vision experts who have extensive knowledge of C++, Python, or MATLAB. Additionally, Apple’s offices in Aachen and Heidelberg constantly welcome AI/ML engineers as well as backend developers (Python, JavaScript, Go) to design and maintain large-scale systems for Machine Learning. 

A quick tip: It’s unlikely that the number of Apple tech jobs in Germany will decrease anytime soon since the company is looking to expand its Munich office and secure even more jobs for techies in 2021. Moreover, the number of IT jobs in other German companies is also growing dramatically. By the way, feel free to browse all the job offerings from German IT companies here — chances are big that you will find something as attractive as Apple vacancies and relocate faster.

Apple Tech Jobs in the UK

Cities: London, Cambridge, Saint Albans, Swindon
Teams: Text-To-Speech Production Studio (Siri), Cassandra Storage, Carrier Technology Management, Apple Pay, Apple Cloud Machine Learning, Software Build & Integration, GPU Software, Wallet
Average software engineer salary in the UK: €49,000 per annum (more about salaries in the UK)

Like the majority of Apple’s offices, the UK facilities keep their operations secret. Unsurprisingly, if you ask a passer-by in Cambridge or Swindon about the location of an Apple campus, they are unlikely to know the answer. Such secrecy can be easily explained by the fact that Apple’s UK employees are working on projects that are vital to Apple, from microchips to Siri. Thanks to such a wide variety of projects, it is quite easy for techies to find suitable job opportunities for themselves in Apple’s UK offices.

Most of the software engineer jobs at Apple UK are for the London office, where Java, Scala, Kotlin, Go, and Python engineers are constantly sought after to build the next generations of Apple Pay, as well as Apple Music and other media apps offered by the company. The London office also welcomes iOS engineers, Machine Learning & Big Data experts, DevOps, and GPU Frameworks engineers to work on multiple projects, including the very core of macOS and iOS.

The Cambridge office offers plenty of job openings, which are related to Siri (the knowledge of Java, Python, C++, and Objective-C/Swift is desired to apply), as well as GPU Engineering and Platform Architecture. In contrast, the vacancies at Apple’s Saint Albans office are mostly hardware-related — the team in this small city is working on the creation of cutting-edge GPUs. The situation is similar in the Swindon office, which is also full of hardware professionals and is constantly recruiting new talent.

A quick tip: Even if no jobs at Apple UK caught your eye, keep in mind that this country is very expat-friendly, and there is a constant abundance of software engineering jobs in London, Cambridge, Bristol, and other UK cities. Browse them all here, as well as some relevant tips for those moving to the United Kingdom.

Apple Tech Jobs in Spain

Cities: Madrid, Barcelona
Teams: Text-To-Speech Production Studio (Siri), Apple Media Products Engineering, Instrument Engineering
Average software engineer salary in Spain: €33,000 per annum (more about salaries in Spain)

Most of the Apple tech jobs in sunny Spain are related to the development of Siri, so proficiency in Java, Python, or C++, and the knowledge of advanced NLP techniques are among the most highly valued skills in Apple’s Barcelona and Madrid offices. In addition to that, Spanish offices offer plenty of vacancies in the Apple Media Product team for Python, Java, C++, PHP, and Golang experts. If you’re a hardware professional with a Signal Processing background, you will likely find a suitable job at the Apple Madrid office, too.

A quick tip: A relaxed work culture, high level of healthcare and education, and mild climate are just a few things that make Spain a dream spot for everyone. Check out some tech jobs from other Spanish companies here — the more jobs you apply to, the closer to relocation you are!

Apple Tech Jobs in Austria

Cities: Linz
Teams: RF Systems Engineering, Hardware
Average software engineer salary in Austria: €49,000 per annum (more about salaries in Austria)

The Austrian office is fully dedicated to Apple’s hardware-related projects, so if you have extensive knowledge in the fields of Digital Signal Processing, Systems on a Chip, or just Hardware Engineering, pay attention to the jobs posted there. However, if you are more on the software side of things and have a strong knowledge of Java and Rust/C++/Python, you can also join Apple’s Linz team and work on configuration tools for Apple’s cellular radio frequency products.

A quick tip: If you want to relocate to a country with a high level of well-being, affordable education, and a top-notch healthcare system, look no further than Austria. However, it might still be a great idea to calculate your approximate net pay before putting Austria on the top of your list of desired relo destinations. Comparing your expected net pay with the cost of living will help you make sure that your relocation process will be smooth.

Apple Tech Jobs in France

Cities: Paris, Grenoble
Teams: iCloud, Siri, Hardware Security, Core Sensing Devices
Average software engineer salary in France: €40,000 per annum

Just like the majority of big tech companies, Apple did not miss an opportunity to leverage France’s expanded network of tech universities and vast IT talent pool. The company is actively looking for software engineers in Paris and also has some IT jobs posted in Grenoble. Apple jobs in Paris will suit those who are proficient in NLP techniques and/or have extensive knowledge of C/C++ and Objective-C; since the main two projects handled by the Paris facility are Siri and iCloud. As for the Grenoble office, the team situated there is mainly looking for hardware experts to join the Camera Engineering group.

Apple Tech Jobs in Switzerland

Cities: Zurich
Teams: Information Intelligence (Siri), CoreMotion, System Intelligence
Average software engineer salary in Switzerland: €90,000 per annum

There is little known about Apple’s office in Zurich, except the fact that the local team is primarily working on Machine Learning-related projects. Therefore, extensive experience with image processing, computer vision, speech recognition, and NLP is strongly valued there, as well as hands-on experience with Python packages like TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn, pandas, etc. 

However, even if hardware engineering is closer to your set of skills, you can still join Apple’s Zurich team by contributing to CoreMotion (a framework for processing data about the motion and movement on the iDevices). To apply to one of the vacancies in the CoreMotion team, you will need to be proficient in Signal Processing, Sensor Fusion, and/or Robotics.

A quick tip: Being a safe and wealthy country with a high level of life quality, Switzerland attracts IT expats from all over the world. If this country is on your list of desired relocation destinations, browse other jobs at Swiss companies here to increase your chances to relocate.

Apple Tech Jobs in Denmark

Cities: Copenhagen
Teams: Apple TV, Apple Media Products
Average software engineer salary in Denmark: €71,000 per annum (more about salaries in Denmark)

There are plenty of software engineering jobs at the Danish Apple office since this facility is responsible for software-related projects like Apple TV and Apple Media Products. So, if you have a profound knowledge of TypeScript, JavaScript, Node.js, C/C++, and/or Objective-C, vacancies at Apple’s Copenhagen office might be a perfect fit for you. In addition to software development positions, Apple is constantly recruiting UI Designers, QA Engineers, and Program Managers, so all the IT specialists will find some relevant opportunities at Apple Denmark.

A quick tip: Planning relocation to Denmark? Calculate your approximate net pay first to be fully prepared for moving there!

Apple Tech Jobs in Other Locations

There are also other Apple offices in Europe that cannot be included in the main list due to the small number of IT jobs they offer. However, those vacancies are not less noteworthy. For example, the Prague office is constantly looking for skillful C/C++ engineers to contribute to the development of Apple’s core OS, whereas the Stockholm office is recruiting software enthusiasts to improve the user experience of the App Store, as well as 3D visualization experts and other IT specialists. 

Just like Apple’s projects and office locations, the company’s relocation package is under the hood. Like in other big tech companies, it strongly depends on the country you’re heading to, as well as the level of the position and, of course, your negotiation skills. The relocation assistance package at Apple usually consists of a generous lump sum payment + some moving assistance, flight coverage, etc.

If you feel like working at Apple is something you should pursue despite all difficulties, we wish you the best of luck with your application process and hope that this article was useful for you. However, even if no jobs at Apple suit your skillset right now, you can still be employed by other FAANG companies. Tech giants like Google, Facebook, and Amazon are also actively recruiting IT talent in their European offices, so the chances of getting your desired job offer are now higher than ever!

“Is Germany Good for Software Engineers?”

Yes, Germany is considered one of the top destinations for software engineers in Europe. According to Statista, Europe’s biggest community of expats and professional developers are in Germany. While the country might not be the top-rated destination for expats, it’s certainly where they all live and work. 

The greatest risk to companies in Germany is a growing skills shortage (most notably in STEM). So with companies struggling to fill IT positions locally, they have turned to the international market to address that problem. And the government has supported that change by introducing fast-tracked visas and easier pathways for internationals. This makes moving to Germany as a software engineer so much easier. 

In terms of career and job opportunities – Germany is unmatched. In Berlin, you’ve got around thirty tech unicorns (HelloFresh, Personio, Contentful, Trade Republic) that offer great pay and opportunities to work with some of the most skilled workers in the scene. If you want to work with a smaller team or take on a tougher challenge, there are 100s of startups to choose from. These smaller firms tend to offer entry-level positions and the opportunity to speed run your career as they scale up. And since the tech scene is directed towards the international market, jobs and offices are predominantly English-speaking.  

Moving to Germany from the USA

As a US citizen (or even someone who’s worked there for several years), you’re going to enjoy preferential treatment. When tech companies in Germany look to hire internationally, professionals from the United States are highly regarded. 

US citizens can stay in Germany for up to 90 days, so you don’t have to apply for a long-stay visa before you arrive (or even to travel there). It’s obviously best to secure a job before you head over, but, that’s not a requirement. Many US citizens travel to Germany and then apply for a visa within the first 90 days. If you want to scope it out or find a job in person, this is a way to do it. 

While there are a number of visa options available for those moving to Germany from the USA, these three are the most applicable for tech workers:

• EU Blue Card

• Skilled worker residence permit

• Self-employment permit

The EU Blue Card is the best option if you can get it because it offers a lot more work and living flexibility. For this visa, you’ve got to have a job offer with a gross salary of at least €41,042 (for IT professionals). With the Blue Card, you can bring your spouse, and gain permanent residency much faster. The second-best option is the Skilled worker residence permit. This is the most popular pathway. To get the visa, you have to have a recognised degree and a concrete job offer. Both of these visas you can apply for within Germany. 

Moving to Germany? Our first recommendation is to land a job before you show up in the country. Ideally, the company you secure a job with offers you relocation support so that you’re not spending much of your money to make a move and enjoy a smoother transition to Germany.

Find tech jobs in Germany with relocation support → 

Work-Life Balance

The main reason software engineers are living in Germany is for the work-life balance. According to OECD, Germany is ranked 16th out of 41, and for cities, Berlin ranks #12 after Stockholm. To put that in perspective, most full-time workers work under 40 hours per week. You’ll also enjoy 10+ paid holidays and at least four weeks of paid time off. And if you land a job with a thrifty tech company, you might even get upwards of five weeks’ holiday – it’s increasingly common. The months of July, August and December are very chill as it’s a very popular time for workers to holiday.    

In terms of salaries, Germany ranks in the top ten for developer salaries. Entry-level salaries aren’t anything to get excited about, you’re usually looking at around €30,000-€40,000. If it’s a unicorn company or something like IBM or SAP, the salary can be €40k+. Senior engineers might be looking at a minimum of around €60,000. If you’re good, though, maybe you take equity in a company or a top position in a unicorn, you can make €100,000 – €200,000 in a year. This is considered an exceptional salary for Europe. 

Where do software engineers get paid the most? → 

The higher paying tech roles are typically in Berlin or Munich. Average salaries are higher in Munich, but Berlin has a bigger expat community, has more job opportunities, and offers a lower cost of living. If you are coming from the US, UK or even Australia, you’ll appreciate the lower cost of living. A supermarket beer is only €1. 

Work-life Balance Comparison US vs EU → 

Top Companies in Germany

Another reason that attracts expats to Germany is that it has one of the largest networks of tech startups and giant IT corporations that hire software engineers internationally. Berlin, for example, has the most unicorn companies out of any city in Europe. 

The hubs in Germany are quite distinct and offer different experiences. Berlin is trendy and young, there’s a big focus on the startup culture and new emerging technologies. Munich, on the other hand, is more catered toward the corporate professional looking to climb the ranks at big multi-nationals like IBM, Microsoft, BMW, and so on.

If you are more interested in Germany’s cultural side and would love to live somewhere near the water, Hamburg is for you. The biggest port in Germany, this city is full of picturesque sites, landmarks, scenery, and architecture and is ideal for those who prefer a laid-back lifestyle. The tech environment here is pretty impressive too. Since the construction of a digital campus called HammerBrooklyn, Hamburg has become an attractive spot for IT corporations and startups from different fields, with ABOUT YOU, Localyze, and receeve choosing to settle here.

International Companies Hiring →

The Most Popular Programming Languages in Germany

So you’re a software engineer in Germany, what programming languages are going to land you the most jobs? It’s difficult to tell if the popularity of programming languages is much different in Germany compared to the rest of the world. 

According to StackOverflow (2017), the top five languages are Java, JavaScript, Python, C#, and Android (Kotlin, C++, Dart, React Native, etc.). While we acknowledge this data is old, it’s likely not changed too much.  

Based on job ads, Java is the most in-demand skill. There are fewer backend developers, so more job opportunities and higher pay. Of course, JavaScript is still the preferred language for frontend devs, so there are plenty of jobs working with React or TypeScript. But still, with most frontend jobs, there’s more competition and lower pay.  

Python and SQL are the go for data roles (nothing’s changed here). Python, ML and data science are hot skills at the moment, thanks to all the advancements in AI.  

And believe it or not, there are still jobs for even the less popular languages like Cobol. One developer commented that “nothing is blooming in Germany. Any language that you’re good at is fine.”  

Given the market desperation for tech skills, there’s going to be jobs for most tech stacks – and employers tend to be flexible with the right candidate. The best advice is to stick to the default tech stacks or specialise in a useful technology that’s not popular among devs. 

Social Security

Germany has a great social security system which covers a multitude of needs. Of course, you take a significant pay cut to enjoy these benefits, but some people find it worthwhile. As an expat on a work visa, you’ll have access to free medical care, unemployment benefits (after 12 months of paying tax), and dental care. You’ll also be paying for your pension, so if you plan to retire in Germany, that’ll be something you can access at the end of your career. Social security and tax will eat up about 40% of your paycheck. 

Facts and Figures About Germany

• Being second only to the UK, Germany has the largest talent pool in Europe. According to the statistics, the total number of software developers living and working in Germany was estimated to be over 1 million.
• Germany has a well-distributed tech scene, which means you can find a tech startup or large IT company across the country. Popular hubs include Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Cologne, and Düsseldorf.
• As of 2024, the estimated number of tech startups in Germany amounted to 60,000.
• The total amount of investments received by the German tech sector was over €7.8 billion in 2023 alone (State of European Tech).
• Germany is home to many leading tech companies, including Delivery Hero, Soundcloud, trivago plus some new up-and-coming companies like FlixBus, HelloFresh, Taxfix, and Flink.
• The top cities in terms of startup activities are Berlin and Munich.
• In Germany, an average software developer salary starts at €40,000 and can reach six figures with bonuses and compensations for a senior developer.
• Full-time employees have legally guaranteed a minimum of 20 paid holiday days per year and usually work no more than 8 hours a day.
• It is easy and cheap to travel the whole of Europe from Germany, thanks to its geographical position. A one-way ticket from Berlin to London is around €22.
• If you plan to live and work in Germany longer than a few years, buying an apartment or house may be an option to consider, as it often proves to be more cost-effective than renting in most German cities.

Google Tech Jobs in Ireland

Cities: Dublin
Main projects: Data Centers, gTech, Google Works
Average Software Engineer salary in Ireland: €48,000 per annum (more about salaries in Ireland)

The European Google headquarters found home in Dublin. The diverse team of Googlers in the Irish office unites the representatives of 60+ nationalities. It takes care of a wide range of projects — from Google’s powerful data centers to internal financial management tools. In the Dublin office, one can also join the gTech team, which implements Google’s long-term strategic partners’ ideas and delivers software systems for the company’s sales department. It sounds like a noteworthy opportunity for those who value complex & meaningful projects!

A quick tip: While it’s super easy to get excited about Google tech jobs in Ireland, don’t forget to familiarize yourself with the country to see if it looks like a place you would relocate to. Get practical tips about relocation to Ireland here.

Google Tech Jobs in the UK

Cities: London, Manchester
Main projects: Google Cloud, Google Search App, Google Health, Reliability Analytics
Average Software Engineer salary in the UK: €49,125 per annum (more about salaries in the UK)

A wide range of projects is handled in Google’s London office — from the Google Cloud Platform and its services to Reliability Analysis of the solutions the company offers. Besides that, the Google Search Apps for both Android and iOS are being developed in the UK capital, right before being delivered to billions of devices every day. Hence London office welcomes creative individuals, mostly Java/C++/Python/Go engineers, product managers, or data scientists.

To make the working process even more convenient for this diverse team, Google is constructing a “landscraper” near the King’s Cross to become its next office in the UK capital. The building will house 7,000 employees once the construction works are over.

Add to this a large Manchester office with plenty of Google tech jobs, and you will get a perfect country to relocate to for those who dream about becoming a Googler!

A quick tip: Specify a few circumstances that might impact your relocation (such as family status or formal education), and get some personalized tips about moving to the UK as a software engineer here.

Google Tech Jobs in Switzerland

Cities: Zurich
Main projects: Google Maps (for EMEA), Gmail, YouTube Technology Team
Average Software Engineer salary in Switzerland: €92,000 per annum

If you love solving complex technology challenges from day to day, you should certainly consider becoming a Zurich Googler, or “Zoogler,” as they call themselves. The Swiss engineering team handles the projects which have already become a part of our daily routines — from Google Maps for the EMEA regions to the core features of Gmail. The Zurich office list of the developed and/or supported projects also includes Google Shopping, Google Workspace platform, and many others.

Given the complexity of the initiatives mentioned above, the profound knowledge of Machine Learning, AI, NLP, and Speech/Audio/Video processing will be a notable benefit in your resume for any Google tech job in Switzerland.

A quick tip: As one of Europe’s expat-friendliest countries (up to 20% of the Swiss population are work migrants), Switzerland offers plenty of job opportunities for techies. Browse them here — applying for several jobs at once increases your chances dramatically to relocate.

Google Tech Jobs in Germany

Cities: Munich, Frankfurt, Berlin, Hamburg, Lubeck
Main projects: Google Chrome, Google Dashboard, Google Cloud
Average Software Engineer salary in Germany: €55,000 per annum (more about salaries in Germany)

Germany is the country with the most substantial Google presence in Europe, with five operational offices across its territory. The most prominent German Google office is located in Munich, and it is not an exaggeration to say that Google’s most significant projects are handled there. In the Munich office, engineers are committed to developing Google Chrome and Google Dashboard and improving the Google Core.

Another part of Munich Googlers belongs to the not less critical teams of Google Identity and Kernel Dynamic tools, the group taking care of the company’s open-source projects. But even that’s not all — in Munich, you can also become a member of the UP, Users, and Products team that implements various features requested by Google’s users and partners. For those obsessed with video games, the cherry on top is some Google tech jobs in Munich are related to Stadia, the company’s cloud gaming service.

The majority of Google tech jobs in Berlin, Hamburg, and Frankfurt are related to Google Cloud, so they are also worth attention. Finally, if you feel like relocating to a smaller city with nearly 200k residents, you can also explore Google’s job offerings in Lubeck.

A quick tip: If you are curious about what relocation to Germany is like, explore the info about German cities and get relocation tips here.

Google Tech Jobs in Portugal

Cities: Lisbon
Main projects: Android OS, Google Cloud
Average Software Engineer salary in Portugal: €24,000 per annum

In 2018, Google saw significant potential in Lisbon, after Portugal had hosted Web Summit two times in a row proving itself as one of the European tech capitals. Located in the outskirts of Lisbon, the Portuguese office offers a wide range of tech jobs for both seasoned software engineers and interns. Most of them are related to the Android OS’s core development, but there is also a chance to find some jobs related to Google Cloud.

A quick tip: Although Lisbon is not among the most expensive European capitals, it might be a good idea to calculate your expected net pay as a software engineer in Portugal and compare it with the cost of living. You can do it here without any hassle.

Google Tech Jobs in Spain

Cities: Madrid, Malaga
Main projects: Google Cloud, YouTube Technology Services, VirusTotal
Average Software Engineer salary in Spain: €33,000 per annum (more about salaries in Spain)

Sunny Spain welcomes Googlers in two cities — Madrid and Malaga. In both offices, there are plenty of tech jobs related to Google Cloud Platform and the services it promotes. In addition to that, Madrid-based Googlers can join the YouTube Technology Team since Google is the parent organization of the popular video-sharing service. As for the Malaga office, its employees get a chance to contribute to the development of VirusTotal, a widely- used online safety service that belongs to another Google subsidiary.

A quick tip: If you could not find a Google tech job that perfectly matches your expectations, explore job opportunities with other Spanish tech companies here — maybe your dream offer is just around the corner!

Google Tech Jobs in France

Cities: Paris, Grenoble, Rennes
Main projects: Google Cloud, YouTube Technology Services
Average Software Engineer salary in France: €40,000 per annum

Since France is known as a country with a solid scientific background, as well as universities and schools that are among the world’s best ones, Google strongly established its presence, thereby creating an AI research center and three offices. The largest of them is located in Paris — it houses 1,000 employees, most of whom belong to the Google Cloud or YouTube Technology teams. Two other offices are located in Grenoble and Rennes, and although they are notably smaller, you can also find exciting Google tech jobs there.

A quick tip: Estimating your after-taxes paycheck is always a good idea when considering relocation to France, especially if you’re moving with a family. Do it with a user-friendly net pay calculator here.

Google Tech Jobs in Italy

Cities: Rome, Milan
Main projects: Google Cloud
Average Software Engineer salary in Italy: €32,000 per annum

There are plenty of reasons to relocate to Italy as a software engineer — starting with magnificent culture and delicious food, ending with a mild climate and a huge variety of destinations for in-country travels. Furthermore, for those obsessed with complex projects and cloud technologies, there is one additional reason — the opportunity to join Google’s offices in Milan and Rome. Both offices are almost fully dedicated to Google Cloud, including challenging projects like Smart Analytics solutions. This tendency is likely to continue since Google is planning to have opened two more Cloud Regions in the country by 2025.

Google Tech Jobs in Belgium

Cities: Brussels, Saint-Ghislain
Main projects: Google Cloud
Average Software Engineer salary in Belgium: €47,000 per annum (more about salaries in Belgium)

In Belgium, Google is represented by 2 facilities — an office in Brussels and a large data center in Saint-Ghislain. The former offers plenty of tech jobs in the Google Cloud team, whereas the latter mostly welcomes those with hands-on experience with data center equipment and some background in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering.

It should be said that Google largely invests in the Saint-Ghislain facility, which has grown from a single energy-efficient data center in 2007 to four data centers in 2019 with a dedicated solar plant to support them. So, it is unlikely that the number of Google tech jobs in Belgium will decrease anytime soon!

A quick tip: As a de-facto capital of the EU, Brussels is an attractive relo destination for software engineers, just like Antwerp, Ghent, and other Belgian cities. If you are considering Belgium as a country to move to, the practical advice here might come in handy.

Google Tech Jobs in the Netherlands

Cities: Amsterdam, Eemshaven
Main projects: Google Cloud
Average Software Engineer salary in the Netherlands: €52,000 per annum (more info)

A perfect destination for keen cyclists and English-speaking expats, the Netherlands is home to 2 Google facilities: a development office in Amsterdam and a large data center in Eemshaven. Like most European offices, the Google office in the Dutch capital offers plenty of tech jobs related to Google Cloud and the Google Cloud Supply Chain vertical in particular. As for the Eemshaven data center, it is currently supported by 250 specialists, so there is a constant demand for IT professionals and engineers. But, since the company announced that it would be expanding the Eemshaven facility and build another data center in Agriport, more tech job opportunities in the Netherlands are to come!

A quick tip: One of the primary reasons to relocate to the Netherlands as a software engineer is the 30% ruling, a tax benefit the country offers to specialist staff recruited from abroad. You can estimate your after-taxes paycheck in the Netherlands here.

Google Tech Jobs in Poland

Cities: Warsaw, Wroclaw, Krakow
Main projects: Google Cloud, YouTube Trust & Safety Team
Average Software Engineer salary in Poland: €22,700 per annum

In Poland, Google is represented by three offices located in Warsaw, Wroclaw, and Krakow. As the company states, the Polish capital office is one of the fastest-growing Google hubs in the EMEA region. The employees of that office are mostly dedicated to the development and support of Google Cloud & Infrastructure, including Google Cloud’s Unified Control Plane, the performance of which impacts every new GCP product released. Another important field of activity of Warsaw Googlers is Developer Relations — this team supports third-party developers who use Google Cloud for their projects.

In Wroclaw, you can also put your hand into the development of the Google Cloud Platform and its myriad of services. As for the Krakow office, its employees belong to the YouTube team, working on Trust & Safety solutions.

A quick tip: Each year, Poland is gaining more and more credit as a popular relocation destination for software engineers. Browse some open tech vacancies in Poland here — this country definitely has something to offer in addition to Google tech jobs.

Google Tech Jobs in the Nordics

Locations: Denmark (Copenhagen, Aarhus), Finland (Helsinki, Hamina), Norway (Oslo), Sweden (Stockholm)
Main projects:  Google Cloud, Google Meet

Google has its offices established in all the Nordic countries, except Iceland, so if the Nordic region attracts you as an expat, you can certainly become a Googler there. Plenty of Google tech jobs can be found in Danish offices in Copenhagen and Aarhus, a Finnish office in Helsinki, and a Norwegian facility in Oslo. Most of the vacancies in these locations offer you to join the Google Cloud team. If you think that working at a data center suits you better, you should certainly pay attention to a large-scale Hamina facility. As for the Stockholm office, it gives you an opportunity to join the Google Cloud team and put your hand into the development of Google Meet.

Google Tech Jobs in Other Locations

Some prospective tech jobs at Google can also be found in:

• Lithuania (Vilnius)
• Czech Republic (Prague)
• Romania (Bucharest)
• Greece (Athens)
• Hungary (Budapest)

Google Relocation Package

Just like in the majority of Big Tech companies, the relocation perks at Google strongly depend on your current location and destination, as well as the level of the position you are hired for. Traditionally, the newcomers are offered to choose between a lump-sum payment and a relocation package. If you choose the latter option, the list of provided services will most probably include travel and moving expenses coverage, temporary housing, car rental, etc. Some of the relocated Google employees also note that the company took care of their visas, helped them move their pets, and offered the assistance of a moving company.

A quick tip: In this article, you can find some tips about choosing a decent relocation package and discussing it with the company representatives when changing your job.

Since Google has its sites in almost all European countries, you don’t have to choose between moving to your desired location and becoming a Googler. Even if the first attempt doesn’t bring the expected result, don’t give up trying — working at Google is worth any effort. So, good luck with your application.

 

Read also: Facebook Tech Jobs in Europe

Tech Job Boards and Niche Websites

Let’s start with niche job boards that are only focused on IT jobs in Europe. Some of these sites are more general and cover multiple countries in Western Europe, while others cater exclusively to local jobseekers. 

Relocate.me

If you are searching for an IT job in Europe from a company that offers visa/relocation assistance, Relocate.me is the best place for you to start your search. While there might not seem like a ton of job ads, what you’ll find here are high-quality posts from companies that are serious about hiring internationally. 

You’ll find jobs in all the main IT specialisations, including front end, back end, full stack, mobile, QA, DevOps/SRE, and Data Science. In terms of locations, the platform currently has job postings in the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain, and other popular European countries, and the list is constantly changing.

On most job postings on this site you’ll get a breakdown of what type of relocation package the company offers (basic or advanced) and what services those include (housing, visa services, relocation bonus, etc.). You can preview the job board here.

Wellfound 

Wellfound (formerly AngelList) is a popular website for people looking for tech jobs at startups. For jobs in Western Europe, you can check out this page, and then filter your search by role. The problem is that you can’t filter by visa sponsorship, so you’ll have to manually go through and check if the company supports it by reading each ad. Alternatively, you can head to the jobs tab and filter by “Sponsors visas.” 

Glassdoor

Glassdoor – the site where employees can “anonymously” review their employers – also has a job board. And it’s not bad – it partners quite well with the review side of things. From the looks of it, there’s a healthy number of jobs being posted on this job board. Since there’s no filter for visa sponsored jobs, the best way to single these roles out is by typing “relocation” in front of the job title you are searching for (i.e. relocation developer). This search will produce all the job listings with the “relocation” keyword. Make sure you always double-check the job description before applying, though.

Pro tip: Using different keywords yields different search results. Apart from “relocation,” play around with “visa” and “visa sponsorship.” UK companies, for example, typically mention “visa sponsorship” rather than “relocation” in their job postings.

Landing.Jobs

Landing.Jobs is another niche tech job platform in Europe. Since they are based in Portugal, you’ll find many job ads from companies based in Lisbon and Porto. There are also job opportunities in Germany, the Netherlands and some other Western European countries. Thankfully, this job board has a visa & work permit filter so you can easily find those roles that support relocation.

Startup.Jobs

Tech jobs at startups are very desirable, and Startup.Jobs is specifically dedicated to helping people find jobs at startups. The list of jobs on the site has startup positions available around the world. Some of the positions are also remote positions.

You can filter down the search list significantly by using the keywords filter. Keywords such as “relocation” or “visa” are good places to start. Make sure to also set the location.  

Work in Estonia

If Estonia is where you want to work, then head over to this site. The website lists job opportunities for both tech and non-tech professionals. Most of these jobs are targeted towards expats, but you’ll still have to double-check relocation, as some of the ads don’t mention any type of support. Here’s a link to all the IT jobs that are currently available.

Berlin Startup Jobs

Berlin Startup Jobs is a local job board for startup jobs in Berlin. Like many of these job boards, there’s no relocation filter. What you can do is search “relocation” in the search bar and then select the IT / Software Development category on the right panel. 

GermanTechJobs

GermaTechJobs – the name describes it perfectly. There is also a Swiss, UK and Netherlands version of this job board. To find jobs with relocation on this site, click the filter and select Visa sponsorship, or simply follow this link. One really nice feature of this site is that all job posts must disclose a salary range. You won’t find a single job on this site that doesn’t disclose salary information. 

SwissDevJobs

This is the counterpart to GermanTechJobs, which I mentioned in the previous section. SwissDevJobs is for those tech professionals interested in Switzerland. To find relocation jobs, follow the same steps as the site above. One potential issue to point out is that jobs are not dated, which means it’s going to be difficult to tell if companies are still considering applicants for the position. 

StartupJobs.cz

StartupJobs was created to help people find job postings at startups in Prague, Czech Republic. All of the jobs listed on the website can be found under the offers tab. There is no filter for relocation but using the word “relocation” in the search bar does a fantastic job at filtering search results. Here you can see those of the jobs that offer relocation.

DOU

DOU is a Ukrainian job search site. You can find jobs around Ukraine but also in the surrounding parts of the European Union. The link we provided above takes you directly to the section for those looking for relocation. Much of the website is in Ukrainian, so this resource is best for those who have some experience with Ukrainian.

F6S

F6S is a website dedicated to helping startup founders. One of the big things that the website does is to host positions available at startups. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of old job posts that haven’t been filtered out, make sure you sort by newest and double-check the date posted. Search “relocation” in the search bar to quickly find companies and job openings that offer relocation assistance. 

The Hub

The Hub is also a website for finding startup jobs. There is a Denmark version (the main version) of the website along with ones for Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Northern Ireland. Like with some of the other sites, there is no filter for relocation, so you’ll have to use the search bar to filter out results.

Europe Language Jobs

The website offers a slew of job opportunities abroad for multilingual tech and non-tech professionals. To narrow the list down to relevant job listings, use the search bar with location and language filters.

Relocate with us 

Relocate with us is a basic job board with a basic purpose. The site only displays jobs with Visa Sponsorship & Relocation Assistance. By the looks of it, most jobs advertised are based in Berlin, Amsterdam and London. There are a lot of old job postings that have most likely expired, so either check in regularly for new posts or sign up to their mailing list to get those alerts.  

Arbeitnow 

Arbeitnow is a niche job site for jobs in Germany. (Arbeit means “work” in German). On this site you can find tech jobs across Germany’s major hubs. There are English-speaking opportunities and more importantly, jobs that offer visa sponsorship. 

Hacker News

Not only is Hacker News a place to discuss the latest in tech and startups with other tech professionals, but you can also find jobs on the forum. There is a monthly thread that discusses all the open tech roles. Hiring managers and CEOs usually post their job descriptions on this thread, they will also include if visa sponsorship is available. To find the related threads search, “Ask HN: Who is hiring? 2024.”

Recruitment Agencies

The process of sourcing and hiring tech talent can be very arduous, especially if a company is scaling, and that’s why tech companies often outsource to recruitment agencies. So if you’re a jobseeker it’s going to benefit you to get in touch with these agencies and get your CV in their database. Not only will they suggest positions for you, but most of the time they will actively put your name forward. You’ll get to skip the initial application process and head right into the interview process, saving you a bunch of time.

With international recruiters, they can also help with all the relocation information. Here are some of the popular international recruiters in Europe:

• Darwin Recruitment
• Nederlia
• Optimus Search
• Orange Quarter
• Toughbyte
• Xena (for female tech workers)
• Zero to One Search

Telegram Channels

Telegram is a powerful messaging app that is very flexible in its uses (there is a desktop version as well). One of the things that it is used for is to communicate new job postings, website updates, or news. Several Telegram channels exist specifically for jobs that offer relocation. Here are links to the two most popular: RelocateMe and Jobs Abroad. 

You can preview each channel without joining them by clicking the link. Once the page loads, click Preview Channel. You will not be required to log in or download anything to view the content.

Job Search Engines and Job Aggregators

Almost all companies have job listings on job search engines. These are job posting sites that you have probably heard of before. Turning to these sites to find a tech job with relocation in Europe can be a great idea. Because these sites aggregate jobs from around the internet, you can find a huge variety of listings on them.

Take a look at three great options in the job search engine area.

Indeed

Indeed is one of the big names in job searches. To find jobs on this site, you want to start by selecting the country that you want to find employment in. Once you have chosen the country, search for “relocation developer” or “relocation” and another job title that you are interested in.

Here are a few links to help you get started:  

• Developer jobs with relocation to Germany
• Developer jobs with relocation to the Netherlands

Indeed also offers the ability to get job alerts for your searches. 

 

Karriere.at

Karriere.at is Austria’s largest job search website. In the search box, you will look for terms such as relocation support or visa sponsorship. If you get too many results that are not in the tech industry, try adding the job title you are interested in. Keep in mind that about half of these results will be in German and targeted towards developers in the DACH region. 

Career Pages

A number of tech companies around the European Union are continually recruiting international talent to add to their teams. Among them are the following:

• BlaBlaCar (France)
• Bolt (Estonia)
• Catawiki (The Netherlands)
• Coolblue (The Netherlands) 
• Doctolib (France, Germany)
• Erste Digital (Slovakia, Austria)
• Multiverse Computing (Spain)
• N26 (Spain, Germany, Austria)  
• Picnic (The Netherlands)
• Wise (The UK, Estonia, Hungary)
• Wolt (Finland)
• Zalando (Germany)

Check these and other career pages regularly for open positions. If you don’t know the local market well, a good way to find up-and-coming companies is with Dealroom’s startup maps. Pick the cities that you are interested in and then filter by whatever metric makes sense for you. Funding is a great way to tell if a company is hiring or has potential (startups usually hire en masse after funding rounds). Or you can just see what companies are turning the most revenue in the city – they are likely the biggest employers in the scene. 

Expat Communities and Websites

Expats around the world love to communicate with each other. Many websites and communities have popped up to help facilitate communication. Often a company interested in hiring international talent will post to one of these sites or someone will make the position known.

• Berlin EXPATS 
• Expat Jobs Amsterdam

Some expat websites will have a section on the site specifically for finding jobs. Try one of these sites too:

• Expat.com 
• IamExpat
• ExpatJob.com
• The Local Jobs 

Facebook Groups

Some Facebook groups have also been created to help tech workers discover job opportunities. Among them are Berlin Tech Jobs and Relocation. Both FB groups regularly post jobs that have relocation as a benefit.

Note: The Relocation group is aimed at IT professionals from CIS countries. 

Other Options

VanHack

VanHack was created specifically to help connect software developers with job openings that include relocation. Their primary market is Canada, but you can also find a few postings from other countries, such as Germany, and fully remote positions.

 

Tech Jobs Fair

Tech Jobs Fair is one of the largest virtual hiring events for tech and digital professionals! It’s a great opportunity to grow your network, build relationships with potential employers, and get valuable tips from recruiters. They also have a job board called Germany Startup Jobs. 

To get a free ticket to the TJF events:

1. Register as a participant. 
2. Click on your profile icon in the upper right and select “Attend Events” from the dropdown menu. 

TJF is organising virtual events in 10+ countries around the world, mostly in Europe.

Find a Tech Job with Relocation to Europe

Hopefully, you’ve found this list helpful and have found some roles that match your preferences. One of the first steps in the job search process is choosing a country in Europe that most appeals to you. We’ve put together a few helpful resources to get you started. If your main concern is the visa, you can read about the countries that offer the choosing a country. If it’s affordability, read this blog post. 

Or do your own research on a site like Numbeo. Here, you can compare rent prices and the cost of living between European cities and countries. Realistically, the best locations to relocate (even if it’s just a stepping stone) are Berlin, Amsterdam, Munich, London, and Manchester. From here, expand your search to the smaller cities and English-speaking pockets throughout. Good luck! 

What’s the demand for IT professionals in Sweden?

I’m currently working for NetEnt, which used to be a game developer company and now, since Evolution acquired, specialises in live casino games. However, we still have more than 1,000 staff members worldwide with HQ in Stockholm. When I was hired, the company helped individuals establish a work permit and relocate.

Sweden generally needs highly qualified professionals, and according to the Swedish Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen), there are more than 140,000 openings currently, of which more than 33,000 are in Stockholm.

Find IT jobs in Europe with relocation included →

Job hunting in Sweden

I wasn’t actually looking for work in Sweden — the work found me. Some years ago, I registered on a job board. Some months later, I was contacted by a recruiter who offered me a job interview at a “big multicultural game dev company” with the possibility of relocating to Sweden. At that point, Stockholm wasn’t a part of our plan because we’d been thinking for a long time about staying in Poland, but curiosity won. Seven months later, we found ourselves in Sweden. It welcomed us with unwelcoming weather: rain and snow.

November 5, 2016

Job interview

In total, I went through about seven job interviews. First, there was an interview with the recruiter, where we mostly talked about me and a little bit about the company. After the tech interview, I was invited to an interview with the manager, which turned out to be the last online interview via Skype. All the next interviews were on-site. The company covered my flights and booked a hotel near the office. On-site interviews were conducted using the same scheme as online ones, plus a tour of the office and lunch with the team.

About three months passed between the first conversation and the offer. Two more months were spent on preparing documents and visas. In the next two months, we were choosing a flat and preparing ourselves for relocation. Nowadays, the whole process takes an average of 2 to 4 months for EU/EEA citizens with sponsored jobs and over 6 months for non-EU citizens who have to meet additional requirements.

Getting ready for relocation

It all started with background screening, which included a criminal background check, debt owed to banks, and a tax evasion check. We were living in Poland at the time. For some reason, the Polish government refused to provide the necessary information, so I had to collect it from the police and tax office by myself. After that, I was contacted by representatives of a company which was engaged in relocation support and applied to the Migration Service of Sweden to receive a work visa. Unfortunately, companies cannot provide their staff with flats due to the high demand for accommodation in Stockholm. Some people even have to wait a decade for a flat. But, if you go 35 km Southwest of Stockholm, to the town of Södertälje, some companies, like Scania used to do, can offer you a flat for the entire length of your employment.

Learn more about moving to Sweden →

Renting a flat

Finding a flat was the most stressful and problematic issue in the relocation process. The choices were limited, most of the flats were old and unfurnished, and the prices were high. There was no time to think, as the flats could be swiped up in days, and in some cases, even by the end of the day. What was really bugging us were those common laundry rooms and the absence of an adequate bath in the majority of flats. It turns out that the practice of common laundry rooms was established in Sweden a long time ago for economic reasons. A week before relocation, we managed to find a flat and sign the contract. It was a one-room flat with the cheapest furniture I’ve ever seen. 33m² for 12,000 SEK (1,250 EUR at that time) a month in Kungsholmen, considered an excellent and expensive neighbourhood in the city centre.

A few months later, we decided to find a bigger and cheaper flat. This time, we were looking for it ourselves, and it took three months. During this period, we saw lots of flats: we didn’t like some of them, and the landlords of others didn’t like us, in some cases, it was just that we took too long to make a decision, and someone rented the flat earlier than us. In the end, we found a 2-room flat (1 bedroom and 1 room combined with a kitchen), in a new building, without furniture, for 11,000 SEK (1,100 EUR) a month in Bromma (also considered a good neighbourhood not far from the city centre) near the airport with the same name.

It should be mentioned that, regardless of whether you rent a furnished flat or not, there will always be an equipped kitchen and bathroom. From my own experience, if you have enough money and an opportunity to rent a 45m² flat (or a bigger one), Kungsholmen is the best island in Stockholm to live on.

Norr Mälarstrand, Kungsholmen

Glossary for renting an apartment in Sweden

When you see tables comparing prices in different districts in Sweden, you’ll need this mini-glossary. Hyror refers to the rent of a flat, and Kop refers to the purchase. The price is shown for a month in the case of rent and for m² in the case of purchase. The prices are given in Swedish krona or SEK.

South of Stockholm:

West of Stockholm:

Sites for finding a flat in Sweden:

• Blocket.se
• Qasa.se
• BostadDirekt.com

Buying a flat

After roaming between rented flats for 6 months, we decided to buy one on a mortgage. Interest rates are lower now than they have been historically, but they have risen slightly since then. Back then, they were around 1.5-2%. Today, in 2024, they are closer to 2.5-3.5%. This still makes them relatively low by historical standards, and it means your monthly mortgage payment might be comparable to what you’d pay in rent, ranging from a little over 10,000 SEK to 15,000 SEK (or 1,000-1,500 EUR).

The only difference is that you pay for your own property, not somebody else’s. Things are quite easy with getting a mortgage: you are supposed to possess at least 15% of the flat’s price (keep in mind it could be higher than 15% depending on your location and the type of loan you choose). In fact, you have to have about 5% of the sum, and the remaining 10% can be borrowed from a bank at a 4-10% interest rate, but I wouldn’t recommend this as an option. When you have the money, you have to turn to your employer for a reference stating that you have completed the probation period and have a permanent job and income. After that, you must go to a bank for a “promise” (lånelöfte) that, when you find your dream flat, the bank will give you the 85% you lack. Writing or going to several banks is better to see where the best conditions are offered.

This is an example of a mortgage calculation for a family of two, provided both work and have a salary of 36,000 SEK (roughly 3,200 EUR) a month before tax. This means they have about 500,000 SEK (47,000 EUR) to make the initial payment. The price for the 2 people can afford is about 3,330,000 SEK (295,000 EUR), and the monthly payment can be up to 9,528 SEK (850 EUR). People usually look for flats on sites like Booli or Hemnet. You sign up for a viewing and see the flat. If you like it, you start making bids by texting your estate agent. The person who makes the highest bid buys the flat. Usually, the prices increase by 10% from the initial list price. If you are lucky enough to make the highest bid, and the owner of the flat has accepted it, before anybody changes their mind, an appointment is arranged at the estate agent’s office, and the contract is concluded (keep in mind the process might involve a bit more back and forth negotiation between buyer and seller before a final contract is signed). 

Also, it is arranged when and how the owners get the money and when you get the keys to your new flat. It should be said that what you are buying is not a flat but a share in a co-op. So, before you receive the keys, the co-op management has to establish you as a new owner. At the same time, a bank representative contacts you to clarify all the details. Just like when renting a flat, the kitchen and the bathroom are fully equipped.

What you should know about the job relocation process →

 

First-hand renting

You can live in a first-hand rental flat for a very long time, as long as you follow the terms of your contract and pay rent on time. It’s like having your own place, but unfortunately, it can’t be inherited. To get a first-hand rental, you have to join a queue system (bostadskö) managed by each municipality. The average waiting time can vary depending on location and type of flat. While 7 to 11 years is a common range, expect potentially longer waits in major cities. This is why many people register early, though the exact age for registration might differ depending on the municipality. You can find more about specific queues on the websites of each municipality, and more information here. Some expats report these lengthy waitlists have led to a resale market where the permit is sold at inflated prices.

Taxes in Sweden

It’s not a secret that taxes in Sweden are among the highest in the world. But, before I explain how they work, I’ll tell you about läns and kommuner (municipalities). All the territory of Sweden is divided into 21 läns, similar to states or provinces. Läns are divided into kommuner, each with their rules and taxes. This tax varies depending on the kommun and ranges from 28.98% to 35.15%. For example, there is Degerfors kommun, where the tax might be higher by almost three percentage points than the national average, which is 32.37%.

In Sweden, you might pay only the local tax on your annual income, as most of the people do. Only those who earn above 598,500 SEK need to pay the 20% state tax. However, this threshold is not a hard and fast one. Instead, there’s a basic deduction that is subtracted from your total income first. You only pay tax on the remaining amount, called taxable income. There are actually two brackets, depending on your age at the beginning of the year.

• If you’re under 66, you can earn up to 615,300 SEK (598,500 + 16,800) before taxes start.
• If you’re 66 or older, the threshold is higher at 697,300 SEK (598,500 + 98,800). This is because you get a larger basic deduction if you’re a senior citizen.

Pension

Pension in Sweden is divided into three levels:

• Inkomstpension (income pension): This public pension is based on your income throughout your working life. It’s 16% of your salary paid directly by your employer that goes to the people who are retired today. It also consists of the premium pension, which is 2.5% out of your salary each year. It’s like a separate savings account for your retirement that you can invest as you want.
• Tjänstepension (occupational pension): This employer-sponsored pension can vary depending on your employer, industry, and negotiation.
• Privat pensionssparande (private pension savings) is a voluntary pension you can set up to supplement your other pensions.

Salaries in Sweden

The average salary in Sweden is 40,100 SEK (3,500 EUR), which is approximately 28,070 SEK (2,500 EUR) after taxes. Salaries in the IT sector range from 36,000 SEK to 66,000 SEK, depending on age and work experience. 

Food and purchasing power for food in Sweden

Food in Sweden is very expensive, but it is of really high quality at the same time. Swedish food is pricier than imported food because of its high production standards. Some products that are very expensive elsewhere, like salmon, are accessible in Sweden, maybe because Norway is a top exporter and they have agreements on trade. I’ve made a short list of different foods and their prices.

Product	Price, SEK
Oranges (1 kg)	20
Orange juice (1.75 litres)	25
Apples (1 kg)	12
Potatoes (1 kg)	10
Chicken breasts (1 kg)	100
Salmon fillet (1 kg)	150
Cheese (1 kg)	70
Loaf of bread	25
Eggs (20)	35
Butter (0.5 kg)	35
Milk (1 litre)	15

Travel passes cost about 970 SEK (86 EUR) a month and allow you to travel around all of Stockholm län on any kind of transport. The number of rides is unlimited.

Home insurance covers plenty of things, even stolen bicycles or broken phones. Insurance is mandatory for all house owners. Membership in the engineer labour union costs 240 SEK (21.44 EUR) a month, per person. The union pays unemployment compensation, provides relevant information on salaries, and makes contracts with various companies. Check all its benefits on the official site. Unions in Sweden are world-renowned for protecting their workers. All unions pledge to do that, but the Swedish ones really walk their talk.

Work permit in Sweden

To work in Sweden, you need a job offer from a Swedish employer, who must have advertised the job locally and in some neighbouring regions. Your employer starts the work permit process by providing details like your name, birthdate, and job specifics. You’ll then get an email guiding you through the process of applying for the work permit, along with documents like your employment contract and passport copies.

If your family is moving with you, their permits can be applied for simultaneously. After 24 months, you can switch jobs within the same occupation without a new application. Also, for a permanent residence permit, you must have worked in Sweden for four years and show financial stability.

 

Blue card

For those who don’t know, a Blue Card is, in general, a work permit for an EU country. It is considered that getting a Blue Card is hugely beneficial for highly qualified workers as it provides, for example, a work permit for the spouse and, in case you lose your job, three months to find a new one. Also, two years later, if you relocate to another EU country, these two years may be considered while issuing permanent residence in this country. As you can notice, the conditions are quite similar to those I’ve described earlier for a usual work permit. The thing is, the colour doesn’t matter in Sweden. A Blue Card works well in countries like Germany, Poland, and many others, where it really makes a difference.

IT Market

Sweden’s position as a major European tech hub has remained steady over the years. The country has over 7,800 startups, attracting significant foreign investment. Established giants like Spotify and Klarna are constantly joined by newcomers such as Voi.

Beyond startups, Sweden offers opportunities for experienced IT professionals in established tech companies. Major players like Ericsson, Volvo Cars (known for their advancements in electric vehicles), and ABB (a leader in automation and robotics) all have a strong presence in the country. Additionally, global tech companies like Google, Facebook, and Amazon are actively investing in Sweden.

People

It is not typical for Swedish people to get married and have children at a young age. At 30, they are still in search. Usually, they have kids after they are 35. It is traditional for parents to share parental leave, which lasts for 480 days, one of the most generous systems in the world. Moms normally take 70% of the leave, and dads 30%, which is definitely good both for parents and for children. In general, equality is strongly promoted by the government, which shows. In most companies, there is a 50/50 initiative that aims to have equal numbers of male and female workers.

Swedish people are quite shy and reserved. They respect private space, so try not to bother anyone. But if you make friends, Swedish people turn out to be extremely friendly. Shop assistants rarely offer their help. If you need to find out something, you will need to find them first. The Swedish never sort things out or get personal. If a car is parked the wrong way, they won’t make a scene, they’ll just call the police. The situation will go similarly if somebody makes noise after 10 pm on a weekday or 11 pm on the weekend. Of course, it all stays within a reasonable range, and no one will actually call the police after just one such accident. But if this happens again and again, it is quite different. Swedish people love lines. You can find electronic lines almost everywhere, but even without them, everyone knows who follows whom. It is vitally important to be honest, as honesty is a remarkable trait of the Swedish mentality. It’s better to be honest than respectful.

Sweden is an international country, which makes it so attractive for immigration. People here are accustomed to immigrants and treat them well. It even sometimes seems that it’s better to be an immigrant than a local here. You can live here without knowing Swedish. 90% of people in Sweden speak English, but I’d recommend enrolling in a free Swedish course (SFI: Swedish For Immigrants) paid for by the government, as it’s worth it. Knowing the language will help you blend into society. Also, in the classes, you can learn something new and interesting about Sweden.

How to find unadvertised (developer) jobs →

Climate

Sweden is the third-largest country in Western Europe. However, there is one peculiar thing: Sweden is stretched from the North to the South, not East to West, meaning big cities have disparate climate types. Luckily, Stockholm is closer to the South, and the temperature in winter hardly ever goes lower than -5 °C. Of course, it can get as cold as -15 °C for a few days, but this is rare. You should remember that daylight in Stockholm in winter is about 2 hours shorter than in Western Europe. But Swedish people have found ways to fight gloom: candles, cosiness, cinnamon rolls, and lights on the windows.

As it is often said in Sweden, there is no such thing as bad weather; there are only bad clothes.

Healthcare in Sweden

Healthcare in Sweden is hardly different from that in other European countries. Professional medical care will be given if there is a bad accident or a threat to life. In any case, most doctors recommend staying at home, drinking hot tea with lemon, and taking care of yourself.

Facts and figures

• Capital: Stockholm
• Language: Swedish
• Currency: Swedish krona (SEK)
• Population: 10,5 million
• Total area: 450,295 km²
• Population born outside the country: 20.6%
• Education: There are nine years of mandatory secondary education. Most students study for 12 years, which includes “gymnasium” — the analogue to high school in Ukraine. About a third of them go on to study at universities and colleges.
• Working hours: The standard working week is 40 hours
• Minimal paid leave: 5 weeks
• Parental leave: 480 days shared parental leave (each parent has individual quotas, typically around 240 days) + 10 days right after the birth for both parents
• Unemployment rate: 7.2%
• Life expectancy: men 80 years, and women 84 years
• Citizenship: After living in Sweden for at least 5 years and meeting specific requirements (such as demonstrating good conduct and financial self-sufficiency). There are no mandatory tests or exams.
• Swedish passport: takes 3rd place in the Global Passport Power Rank 2024.

The best way to relocate to Sweden is with a job

One of the best ways to make the most out of Sweden is to get there with a job. And that job should help you with the relocation process. Sweden is seeking talent for their tech sector, and companies are willing to help international workers move there and level up their professional careers in Stockholm or Gothenburg.

Relocate.me is a niche platform that connects techies with companies offering help with relocation. If you apply for a job on our job board, you know the company behind that ad can help you relocate. Paperwork and all — they’ll support you so you can get your permits and move to Sweden or elsewhere. Good luck!