2024-05-02 19:01:55
What makes Germany a good place to live and work as a software engineer?
Here's a quick rundown of the key reasons:
1. Healthy work-life balanceAccording to the OECD, Germany is ranked among the top 10 countries for work-life balance. To put that in perspective,
most full-time employees 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.
2. Social securityGermany 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 most 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.
3. Fair salaries
Germany ranks in the top 10 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.
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.
4. Travel opportunitiesSituated at the heart of Europe, Germany serves as an ideal springboard for exploring the continent. With its central location, travelling within Europe is not only easy but also affordable. For instance, a one-way flight ticket from Berlin to London can cost as little as €30.
5. Tech scene/career opportunities
Germany has one of the largest and most vibrant startup ecosystems in the world. There are more than 60,000 startups across the country! In Berlin, for example, you’ve got over 20 tech unicorns (HelloFresh, Personio, N26, Choco, Contentful, to name a few) that offer great pay and opportunities to work with some of the most skilled workers in the scene.
Germany is also home to the offices of numerous tech giants, including FAANG (MAANG).
To explore job opportunities that offer relocation to Germany
https://relocate.me/search?country=germany
#relocation #germany
8.6K viewsedited 16:01