Which European countries are best for software engineers, where most people understand English, and they have an easy enough immigration system for long term work permits ?
Ireland, but it’s a small country. As only EU English speaking country, I’m sure they’ve had to digest a lot of immigrants since Brexit.
The Netherlands and Flanders in Belgium has a lot of people understanding English. I’d suggest countries such as nl, be, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, Norway, …
For a Roman country, I’d suggest Portugal. However the trick there is to work online for a company from your home country. While enjoying the low cost of living there.
Here in flanders I live with my wife who is from Indonesia. She’s been learning Dutch when she arrived since 2023 December. Whenever we talk to people, we speak in English. While the person then talks in Dutch to me whenever communication wouldn’t be entirely easy for them.
The level of English is fine here. Job opportunities are limited for English speakers though. You’d need to find an international company that has everything in English.
Or a physical labour job.
My wife has a law degree, but until she masters Dutch, she will need to continue her job as a cleaner. (High minimum wage in Belgium, the job she does is 2/3rd subsidised by government. Which makes hiring people easier).
I have an accountancy job and honestly, everything is in Dutch. All the documents. Companies communicating with eachother is all done in Dutch so when that language isnt mastered, then it’s impossible to be productive enough at a desk job.
Brussels might have companies that hire English speakers. However, Brussels is a place where you thrive when you speak Dutch, french and English.
Like at the airport last Sunday all the employees there spoke to me in Dutch, to my wife in English and to other people in french.
Personally I would suggest Ghent. Most English speaking city in Belgium.
I was about to reply that Ireland isn’t the only English speaking country in EU but I forgot the stupid Brexit thing lol, thanks for the detailed response, I’ll look more into it
Netherlands is best for money I hear, especially for the tax cut you get the first 5 years.
I live in Estonia and it has a nice startup culture, chill atmosphere, and just a great place to live, but salary is peanuts compared to NL unless you work for Wise, Bolt, or one of the 134234234 online casino providers. CoL is of course much lower than western Europe, but still much higher than it should be at the salary level here. But software engineers easily make 2-3x median salary, with 5-7x median salary not out of the realm of possibility at high-end positions in high-end companies. So you won’t be strapped for cash if you’re good.
Which European countries are best for software engineers, where most people understand English, and they have an easy enough immigration system for long term work permits ?
Ireland, but it’s a small country. As only EU English speaking country, I’m sure they’ve had to digest a lot of immigrants since Brexit.
The Netherlands and Flanders in Belgium has a lot of people understanding English. I’d suggest countries such as nl, be, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, Norway, …
For a Roman country, I’d suggest Portugal. However the trick there is to work online for a company from your home country. While enjoying the low cost of living there.
Here in flanders I live with my wife who is from Indonesia. She’s been learning Dutch when she arrived since 2023 December. Whenever we talk to people, we speak in English. While the person then talks in Dutch to me whenever communication wouldn’t be entirely easy for them.
The level of English is fine here. Job opportunities are limited for English speakers though. You’d need to find an international company that has everything in English.
Or a physical labour job.
My wife has a law degree, but until she masters Dutch, she will need to continue her job as a cleaner. (High minimum wage in Belgium, the job she does is 2/3rd subsidised by government. Which makes hiring people easier).
I have an accountancy job and honestly, everything is in Dutch. All the documents. Companies communicating with eachother is all done in Dutch so when that language isnt mastered, then it’s impossible to be productive enough at a desk job.
Brussels might have companies that hire English speakers. However, Brussels is a place where you thrive when you speak Dutch, french and English.
Like at the airport last Sunday all the employees there spoke to me in Dutch, to my wife in English and to other people in french.
Personally I would suggest Ghent. Most English speaking city in Belgium.
I was about to reply that Ireland isn’t the only English speaking country in EU but I forgot the stupid Brexit thing lol, thanks for the detailed response, I’ll look more into it
Malta doesn’t count? English is official language.
My bad, need to visit the place sometime.
I want English to be an official language in Belgium, but that will take a generation before it’s agreeable.
Yes let’s add another language in the mix in Belgium. Its going so well with the other three already!
There are more English speakers in Belgium than German speakers. By a gigantic amount.
I’d even say there are more English speakers than french speakers in Belgium.
English clearly has become the language of the European union. It should be an official language in all of the EU.
Netherlands is best for money I hear, especially for the tax cut you get the first 5 years.
I live in Estonia and it has a nice startup culture, chill atmosphere, and just a great place to live, but salary is peanuts compared to NL unless you work for Wise, Bolt, or one of the 134234234 online casino providers. CoL is of course much lower than western Europe, but still much higher than it should be at the salary level here. But software engineers easily make 2-3x median salary, with 5-7x median salary not out of the realm of possibility at high-end positions in high-end companies. So you won’t be strapped for cash if you’re good.
But will be one of the first countries in EU that goes Nazi, I fear.
I’ve heard Ireland is good. No idea of how true that is, but they do speak English, if reluctantly.
That said, the actual Irish language is rather melodic, and learning it is a fun project.
Switzerland