report

The real cost of employment across Europe in 2026

A €70,000 salary doesn't cost €70,000. Not even close. In Italy, employer costs add more than 80% on top of gross. In Romania, it's closer to 4%. The gap between what you budget and what you actually pay changes dramatically from country to country, and so does what your employee takes home.

This ebook gives you the full picture across 36 European countries. What you pay, what your employee receives, and everything in between. Each country is benchmarked at €70,000 gross and at local market rates, so you know exactly what you're paying, wherever you're hiring.

In this ebook, you will learn:

  • The total employer cost in 36 European countries, and how it shifts at local salary benchmarks
  • A full breakdown of employer contributions, deductions, and taxes for every country
  • What employees actually take home in net pay
  • Which countries give you the most (and least) for your money

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