Guides
Money guides for expats in Europe
Plain-English explanations of tax, pay, savings and investing, with 2026 figures calculated by our own tools. Each guide links to the calculator so you can run your own numbers.
How much is €60,000 gross after tax in Germany?
A €60,000 salary in Germany leaves about €3,129 a month after tax and social insurance in tax class I. See every deduction and how class, children and church tax change it.
Netherlands · Expat rulingThe Dutch 30% ruling in 2027: what the cut to 27% means for you
From 1 January 2027 the Dutch expat ruling drops from 30% to 27%. See how much monthly net pay you lose at €60,000, €80,000 and €100,000, and who keeps the old rules.
Germany · Tax basicsGerman tax classes explained for expats
Tax classes I to VI decide how much tax your German employer withholds each month. How they work, which one you get, and when III/V or IV with factor makes sense for couples.
Ireland · InvestingIreland: how exit tax and deemed disposal work on ETFs
Irish investors pay exit tax on ETF gains, every 8 years even if they never sell. The rate is 38% in 2026 and 35% from 2027. How it works, an example, and the new investment account.
France · SalaryGross vs net salary in France: what comes off your payslip
Brut, net and net après impôt explained. On €40,000 gross in France you keep about €2,474 a month after contributions, CSG and income tax withheld at source.
Germany · InvestingVorabpauschale explained: Germany’s yearly tax on ETFs
Why your German broker takes tax from your ETF account in January even if you sold nothing. How the Vorabpauschale is calculated with the 2026 base rate of 3.20%, with examples.
Netherlands · SavingsBox 3 in the Netherlands: how savings and investments are taxed
The Dutch wealth tax explained: the €59,357 tax-free amount, assumed returns of 1.28% on savings and 6% on investments, the 36% rate, examples, and the switch planned for 2028.
Germany · FreelanceFreelancing in Germany as an expat: what you really take home
A freelancer in Germany pays full health insurance and no compulsory pension. Compare a €60,000 salary with freelance profit, and see the profit you need to match an employee.
Money transfersThe cheapest way to send money home from Europe: what to compare
The real cost of an international money transfer is the fee plus the exchange-rate markup. How to compare providers, a worked example, and what EU rules say about euro transfers.
Spain · SalaryMoving to Spain: how income tax and social security work in 2026
Spanish income tax (IRPF) and social security explained for expats: when you become resident, the tax scale, net pay at €30,000 to €60,000, savings tax and the Beckham law.
Ireland · SalaryHow much is €60,000 after tax in Ireland?
On a €60,000 salary in Ireland a single person keeps about €3,744 a month after income tax, USC and PRSI. See the full breakdown and how marriage and other salaries change it.
Netherlands · SalaryNet salary in the Netherlands at €50,000, €70,000 and €90,000
How Dutch income tax and tax credits turn gross into net pay. On €50,000 you keep about €3,262 a month, on €70,000 about €4,087. With holiday pay and the 30% ruling explained.
Germany · Tax basicsGermany: how church tax works and how to leave the church
German church tax is 8% or 9% of your income tax, collected through payroll. What it costs at €40,000 to €100,000, why expats get registered, and how to leave the church.
Savings · All countriesSavings interest tax in Europe: what you keep in 11 countries
How much tax you pay on €1,250 of bank interest in Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland, France, Spain, Italy, Austria, Belgium, Portugal, Poland and the UK, and the tax-free options.
UK and Ireland · SalaryUK vs Ireland: where does a £60,000 or €60,000 salary go further?
A £60,000 salary in the UK and a €60,000 salary in Ireland both leave about 75% after tax. How income tax, National Insurance, USC and PRSI compare, and what else to weigh up.
Italy · SalaryItaly: how IRPEF and regional surcharges work for expats
How Italian income tax works in 2026: IRPEF at 23%, 33% and 43%, employee credits, regional and municipal surcharges, net pay at €30,000 to €60,000, and the 50% tax break for new arrivals.
Portugal · SalaryPortugal: income tax for new residents after the NHR regime ended
The NHR regime closed to new applicants in 2024. How Portuguese income tax works now, net pay at €30,000 to €60,000, the IFICI 20% regime for qualifying jobs, and IRS Jovem for under-35s.
Austria · SalaryAustria: why you get 14 salaries and how they are taxed
Austrian employees get 14 salaries a year, and the 13th and 14th are taxed at only 6%. How it works, net pay at €40,000 to €70,000, and what to check in an Austrian job offer.
HousingHow much rent can you afford in Europe’s big cities?
Spend no more than about 30% of take-home pay on rent. What that means on typical salaries in Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland, Spain and Portugal, and what landlords ask for.
BudgetingThe 50/30/20 budget for expats: does it work in Europe?
The 50/30/20 rule splits take-home pay into needs, wants and savings. How to apply it in Europe’s expensive cities, what changes for expats, and a worked example on a German salary.
Europe · Tax basicsChurch tax in Europe: which countries charge it and how much
Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden and Finland charge church members a tax or fee. Italy, Spain, Portugal and Hungary only let you direct part of your tax. Country by country.
Sweden · SalaryNet salary in Sweden: how municipal tax, state tax and the job tax credit work
A SEK 50,000 monthly salary in Sweden leaves about SEK 38,400 after tax in 2026. How municipal tax, state tax, the basic allowance and the earned income tax credit work.
Sweden · InvestingSweden’s ISK explained: how the investment savings account is taxed in 2026
An ISK is taxed on its value, not on your gains. In 2026 the first SEK 300,000 is tax-free and the rest costs 1.065% a year. How it works, examples, and when it beats a normal account.
Denmark · SalaryNet salary in Denmark in 2026: the new middle and top tax explained
Denmark changed its tax brackets in 2026, with a new 7.5% middle tax. On DKK 50,000 a month you keep about DKK 31,900. How AM contribution, municipal tax and deductions work.
Switzerland · SalaryNet salary in Zurich: Swiss tax and social insurance explained
On CHF 100,000 in the city of Zurich you keep about CHF 6,300 a month after tax and social insurance, before health insurance. How federal, cantonal and city tax work, and what else to budget.
Switzerland · PensionsSwiss pillar 3a explained: limits, tax savings and rules for expats
Pay up to CHF 7,258 into pillar 3a in 2026 and deduct it from your taxable income. How much tax you save in Zurich, how withdrawals are taxed, and what happens when you leave Switzerland.