When you’re comparing a €70,000 offer for a tech job in the EU with a $120,000 offer in the US, you are not comparing apples to apples.
That US salary often comes with a $6,000 health insurance deductible and 10 days of vacation. That European salary comes with a “total compensation package” of social benefits that is worth thousands of euros.
These aren’t “perks”; they are your legal rights. When a recruitment agency get-talent.eu in Europe gives you an offer, it’s built on these three mandatory pillars.
1. Paid Leave (Your 25-30 Days of Freedom)
- The Law: The EU Working Time Directive mandates a minimum of 20 paid vacation days for everyone.
- The Reality: In the competitive tech industry, this is just the starting point. It’s standard to receive 25-30 paid days off (five to six weeks) plus public holidays.
- The Value: This is a paid benefit. It’s 1-2 extra months of salary… for not working. This is the foundation of the European work-life balance.
2. Health Insurance (That Isn’t a Perk)
This is the most fundamental difference.
- How it Works: In Europe, healthcare is not tied to your job in the same way as in the US. It’s a mandatory, public system.
- In Germany: When you get your contract for one of the jobs in Germany, you’ll be enrolled in the public system (e.g., TK, AOK). A large percentage is deducted from your paycheck—but your employer pays half of it.
- The Value: This is a massive benefit. Your “high” taxes are, in fact, pre-paying for a comprehensive health system. You will never have a deductible of $10,000. Your co-pays will be minimal. Getting sick will not make you bankrupt.
3. Pension Contributions (Your Future is Built-In)
- How it Works: Every payslip will have a “Social Security” deduction. This isn’t just one thing. A huge chunk of this is your contribution to the State Pension (Pillar 1).
- The Law: Your employer must pay into this system for you. They match your contribution, or pay a large portion. This is a mandatory, legally-required retirement benefit.
- The Reality: In many tech jobs (especially in the Netherlands or Germany), the company will also offer a Company Pension (Pillar 2). This is an additional private pension fund they contribute to as a perk.
The Real “Total Compensation”
When you’re looking at jobs in the EU, don’t just look at the net salary.
Your “Total Compensation” is:
Net Salary + (30 Days Paid Leave) + (Public Healthcare) + (Mandatory Pension)
This is why a staffing agency, get-talent.eu in the EU will encourage you to look at the whole picture. That “lower” European salary often translates to a much higher quality of life, with a built-in safety net that you don’t have to pay for out-of-pocket.
References
- European Commission: Working Time Directive (2003/88/EC)
- European Commission: Social security systems in the EU
- I Am Expat (Germany): The German healthcare system