Where to Move in Europe for a Higher Salary

We mapped out software engineer salaries across Europe and how much they've grown over one year, and one country surprised us!

This is what we found:

Salaries across most of Europe have basically stopped moving… they’re just about keeping up with inflation at around 1-2%.
Sweden is the exception - jumping over 5%, and 17% percent the year before that, due to a growing tech scene and companies competing hard for engineers.

So if you're targeting a high salary or pay rise, maybe Sweden is the place to be!

👇 Before you start updating your LinkedIn location to Stockholm - read this first
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DEEP DIVE

Other than pay rises, there are a few more things to consider before relocating to Sweden:

Tax is high - Reaching 50%+ at senior salary levels, be sure to use a tax calculator before accepting a job.
Language can cap your ceiling - Most Stockholm tech companies hire in English, but leadership roles, internal politics, and career progression often favour Swedish speakers.
EU Blue Card — Sweden participates in the EU Blue Card scheme, making it one of the more accessible routes for non-EU engineers.
Long-term wealth potential is real - Lower CoL than London, strong public services, and a culture that values work-life balance.
Stockholm is the hub, but there are other options — Gothenburg and Malmö have growing tech scenes with less competition and lower rents.