Where English-Speaking Developers Earn Most in Europe (2026)
In 2026 most European tech salaries were flat versus inflation. The UK still leads on cash; Sweden stood out on pay growth, and you can work there in English. Always compare net pay and visa, not memes.
Most European tech salaries have been flat in 2026, barely keeping pace with inflation. One country stood out on growth — and English-speaking developers can actually work there. Here is how to read the market.
The Reality Check
Planning averages that circulated with 2025–26 data (treat as directional, not an offer):
- UK: around £70k average, ~1.6% growth
- Germany: around £65k equivalent, ~2.0%
- Netherlands: around £63k, ~1.5%
- France: around £57k, ~1.2%
- Spain: around £48k, ~1.1%
- Sweden: lower headline than the UK (~£60k-class averages in some cuts) but ~5.5% growth after a large prior-year jump
The UK still often wins on cash. Sweden won on momentum and on English in the office.
Why Sweden Comes Up
Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö all hire in English at product and fintech companies. The language ceiling exists for some public-sector and customer-facing work, but engineering teams are frequently English-first.
Visa: Sweden participates in EU Blue Card / national skilled routes that are often cleaner than people expect. Confirm with the employer. Tax is real — always model net pay, not LinkedIn gross.
How to Apply From Outside Sweden
- CV in English, one column, outcomes not tasks
- Show you can join without Swedish on day one (and that you will learn enough for life admin)
- Use <a href="/blog/how-to-find-visa-sponsorship-jobs">sponsorship-first search</a>
- Compare take-home with <a href="/blog/cost-of-living-europe-tech">cost of living</a> and the broader <a href="/blog/top-tech-salaries-europe-2026">Europe salary guide</a>
Final Verdict
If you need maximum cash and already have a UK path, London still leads. If you want English-first EU life and a market that was still giving raises, Sweden deserves a column on your spreadsheet. Gothenburg and Malmö are not consolation prizes — they are different cost bases with real teams.
Browse <a href="/jobs/section/english-first-jobs">English-first jobs</a> and <a href="/jobs/section/high-paying-jobs">high-paying jobs</a> and ignore country memes until the numbers are in a sheet.
Frequently asked questions
Where do English-speaking developers earn the most in Europe?
The UK typically leads on gross cash. Ireland and the Netherlands are strong. Sweden was the 2026 growth story. Zurich can beat everyone on cash if you can enter that market.
Is Sweden good for developers who do not speak Swedish?
Many product and gaming/fintech teams work in English. You will still meet Swedish in agencies and housing. Visa is a separate question — confirm the route.
Should I take a lower Swedish salary than London?
Compare leftover cash after tax and rent, plus visa certainty. A lower gross in a cheaper city can win. Run the sheet.