We make every effort to keep our data up to date and aligned with recent legislative changes, so our estimates are as close to reality as possible. However, our salary calculator is for general informational purposes only. It may not reflect your individual deductions, local surcharges, or rare exceptions — and cannot guarantee absolute accuracy.
Net Salary Calculator
Take Anna, for example — a software engineer from Poland who just accepted a job in the Netherlands. Her offer says €60,000 gross per year, but once Dutch taxes, social contributions, and mandatory health insurance are factored in, she actually takes home around €38,500. With a company pension contribution and childcare allowance for her toddler, her net increases slightly — but without understanding the full picture, Anna would have seriously misjudged her monthly income.
Why You Rarely Keep What’s Written in Your Contract
If you're moving to another EU country, switching jobs, discussing an offer with HR, or just trying to understand what your actual net income will be after taxes and deductions — one thing quickly becomes clear: the gross (brutto) salary mentioned in job ads has little to do with the amount that will end up in your bank account.
Gross vs. Net: Where Your Money Goes
- Income tax: France has five progressive tax bands, Germany six, Bulgaria a flat rate, and Portugal includes municipal surcharges.
- Employee social contributions: Covering pensions, healthcare, unemployment, and long-term care — from 10% of gross salary in Latvia to over 25% in Belgium.
- Invisible deductions: Church tax in Germany, local IRPEF in Italy, elderly care surcharges in Luxembourg — rarely shown in the offer letter, but definitely visible in the payslip.
- Family-based allowances: A child in France reduces taxes via the quotient familial, in Poland grants a fixed deduction of 1,440 zł, and in Spain adds to your tax-free minimum.
Why Tax Rates Alone Don't Tell the Full Story
- Indexation: Tax thresholds and social contribution ceilings (like France’s PASS or Germany’s Beitragsbemessungsgrenze) change nearly every year.
- Sector-specific rules: In the Netherlands, IT employees contribute 4–7% to a corporate pension fund, while chefs pay just 2%.
- Regional variation: Health insurance rates in Saxony differ from those in Bavaria; IRPEF rates in Rome are higher than in Naples.
Questions to Ask When Comparing Two Offers
| Question | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| 🤔 Is the number from HR or accounting? | HR usually gives a rough gross figure; payroll will calculate your true net pay. |
| 🏡 Where will I live? | Taxes and contributions may vary within the same country depending on region. |
| 🎁 What benefits are included? | Corporate pension, health insurance, or company car can all affect your taxable base. |
| 📄 Do I qualify for any allowances or have any debts? | Child benefits in Germany or student loans in the UK are deducted directly from salary. |
How to Estimate Your Net Pay: A Quick Checklist
- Confirm your exact gross salary (monthly or yearly) — excluding bonuses or 13th salary unless specified.
- Check what’s paid by you vs. your employer. In Germany, for example, pension contributions are split 50/50 (9.3% each).
- Include family-based tax benefits or deductions where applicable.
- Account for regional tax rules. Madrid and Barcelona have different IRPF rates; church tax varies by German state.
- Ask if in-kind benefits (company car, meals, housing) are included in the taxable base.
- Build in a 5–10% buffer — thresholds and contributions will likely increase next year.
Common Pitfalls Often Overlooked
- UK student loans: 9% is deducted on income over £27,295.
- France CSG/CRDS base: Up to €188,400, your base is reduced by 1.75%; above that — 100%. Errors here can cost you hundreds.
- Agirc-Arrco Tier 2: Contributions only apply up to 8× PASS. Misapplying this can result in inflated deductions.
- Apec and CET: Minor, but still relevant above the PASS threshold (+0.164%).
- High income tax surcharge (CEHR): 3% above €250,000 (single) or €500,000 (couple); 4% at higher tiers.
What to Ask Before Signing an Offer
- Is this a gross or net figure?
- In which region will taxes and contributions be applied?
- Does the package include pension, health insurance, family support?
- Who pays the social security contributions — employer or employee?
- Is there any relocation support, and is it taxable?
Important Limitations
No algorithm — no matter how accurate — can account for every individual tax credit, personal debt, or rare exception. The result gives you a general picture of your expected net salary, but it should not replace official tax calculators or a qualified advisor’s consultation.
⚠️ Always double-check critical figures before making financial decisions or signing a contract.
