Europe is home to some of the world’s most dynamic technology markets, offering a range of opportunities for software engineers, data scientists, cloud specialists, cybersecurity pros, and IT project managers.
The average salary for the best IT jobs in Europe varies by country, but in top destinations like Switzerland and Norway, it can range from approximately €90,000 to over €130,000 per year, while countries such as Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands typically offer average IT salaries between €55,000 and €85,000 annually.
Why Europe Is a Strong Destination for IT Careers
Europe’s tech industry continues to grow, driven by digital transformation in traditional sectors, rapid adoption of cloud and AI technologies, and an ongoing shortage of ICT specialists.
High demand: More than 57% of EU businesses reported difficulties in hiring ICT specialists, showing a persistent talent gap. This means more job openings and stronger negotiating power for candidates.
Strong salary growth: Tech salaries in Europe have been rising faster than average wages, reflecting the premium placed on digital skills.
Diverse markets: From established tech hubs in Western Europe to rapidly growing markets in Eastern and Central Europe, there’s a range of choices for different career stages and lifestyle preferences.
Top European Countries for IT Jobs
Below is a broad comparison of average annual IT salaries, typical cost considerations, and what makes each destination attractive for international IT professionals. Salary figures combine recent reports and market surveys.
Note: Switzerland is not an EU member but remains part of the wider European job market and often tops salary rankings.
Which Country Has the Best Pay?
Switzerland
Switzerland consistently offers the highest salaries for IT professionals in Europe. Top IT roles can average well above €90,000 per year, with senior specialists earning significantly more. It’s common for the top 10% of developers to make over €130,000 annually.
Denmark & Norway
Nordic countries, such as Denmark and Norway, also rank highly for earnings, often exceeding €80,000 for mid-to-senior IT roles, although high living costs and taxation balance out some of the wage advantage.
Tech Job Demand: Where Openings Are Most Abundant
Beyond pay, job demand and openings matter, especially for mid‑career professionals seeking opportunities and stability:
The UK, Poland, and Spain rank among the highest countries in terms of available IT positions, with the UK alone leading in overall job count.
While having slightly lower overall vacancy rates, they have more IT-specific jobs due to larger tech hubs (London, Warsaw, Krakow)
Emerging Hiring Trends in Europe’s IT Sector
Understanding trends can help you target your job search and choose the right destination:
Tech Shortages Are Growing
Over half of European companies struggle to fill ICT roles, indicating sustained demand for qualified talent.
West‑East Salary Divide
Western and Nordic countries tend to pay significantly more than Eastern Europe, but that salary gap is narrowing as demand increases in countries like Poland and Romania.
Cost of Living Adjustment Matters
Countries like Poland and Romania offer attractive purchasing power for IT workers due to lower living costs, making them increasingly attractive for certain professionals.
Remote & Nearshore Hiring
Remote work is reshaping hiring, with companies embracing cross‑border contracts and hybrid roles — particularly within EU borders.
Innovation Hubs Are Expanding
Cities such as Berlin, Amsterdam, Dublin, and Stockholm are seeing expansions in tech clusters, increasing opportunities for both startups and big tech firms.
Europe Job Market & IT Opportunities in 2025–26
Understanding the broader European labour market is essential for IT professionals planning to work abroad. In 2025, the overall job vacancy rate in the EU was around 2.1%, meaning that just over 2 out of every 100 positions were actively seeking workers.
While this reflects moderate hiring activity, certain countries and sectors are experiencing much stronger demand, especially in technology.
High Vacancy Countries: The Netherlands (≈4.2%) and Belgium (≈4.1%) had significantly higher vacancy rates, indicating stronger hiring needs and more opportunities for international IT talent.
Lower Vacancy Countries: Poland (≈0.8%) and Romania (≈0.6%) show tighter labour markets, but still maintain a steady flow of IT openings in major cities.
IT Sector Insights
The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector consistently reports vacancy rates above the EU average, reflecting Europe’s ongoing shortage of skilled IT professionals.
This shortage spans roles in software development, data science, cybersecurity, cloud architecture, and AI, creating favourable conditions for candidates planning to work abroad.
Countries with higher ICT vacancy rates not only offer more openings but also often competitive salaries to attract talent from abroad, making relocation more appealing.
When planning to work abroad, IT professionals should consider the Best Country for IT Jobs in Europe, with leading destinations like Switzerland, Germany, the UK, and Poland offering high salaries, strong tech job demand, rapidly growing digital sectors, and excellent career progression opportunities.