Moving from Singapore to Europe: What Your Salary Really Buys in 2026

Singapore pays well. Europe pays differently. Average tech salaries in Singapore run SGD 100–140k — which, at current exchange rates, works out to roughly €63–88k. That number lands very differently in Berlin than in London, and understanding exactly how differently is the entire point of this guide.

This isn't an argument for or against moving. It's a numbers-first look at what Singaporean salaries are worth across five European cities, along with the trade-offs that come with each.

The salary reality check

Take a median Singapore tech salary — SGD 120,000. After 20% CPF and Singapore income tax, your take-home is roughly SGD 88,000 (SGD 7,300/month). Here's how an equivalent European gross salary compares, after local income tax and social contributions:

Berlin has the best rent-to-salary ratio of any Western European capital. Barcelona and Lisbon offer lower gross salaries but also lower costs. Amsterdam and London pay more but the savings rate suffers from high rents.

The tax shift

Singapore's personal income tax maxes at 24% and is famously straightforward. European systems are progressive — in Germany you'll hit an effective rate of 30–35% at €75k gross, in France closer to 35–40% including social charges, in the UK around 32% including National Insurance.

The Netherlands offers a significant offset for new arrivals: the 30% ruling. Highly-skilled migrants who qualify can exclude 30% of their gross salary from Dutch income tax for the first five years. On a €75k package, that alone saves €8,000–10,000 per year in tax. Eligibility requires the employer to apply on your behalf at the time of hiring.

France is the most tax-heavy city in this comparison. Social charges (cotisations sociales) of 9.2–17.2% land on top of income tax, and the effective combined rate for a €60k salary runs 38–42%. Lisbon effectively mirrors Paris on taxes — Portugal's NHR (Non-Habitual Resident) regime ended for new applicants in 2024.

Healthcare: MediShield to EU coverage

Singapore's MediShield Life is one of the best-value healthcare schemes in Asia — low premiums, good catastrophic coverage. In Europe, health insurance is mandatory and employer-funded or via the national system.

In Germany, your employer covers roughly half of your statutory health insurance premium (~€350–500/month total, shared 50/50). In the UK, NHS coverage is included with any valid work visa, funded by National Insurance contributions. Spain and France provide access to the national system through your employment contributions. For Singapore expats, the transition typically means spending slightly more each month but having richer day-to-day coverage at near-zero point-of-care cost.

Five cities worth looking at

Berlin — Best purchasing power of the five. Germany's Blue Card visa is well-suited to Singapore professionals with a degree and a job offer. Bureaucracy is slow (allow 6–8 months to fully settle); German language helps but isn't required in most tech roles.

Amsterdam — Highest English fluency in continental Europe. 30% ruling can be transformative if you qualify. Central rents have risen sharply since 2022 — budget €2,000+ for a decent one-bedroom close to the centre.

Barcelona — Spain's Digital Nomad Visa is the fastest entry route for remote workers. Local contract salaries are lower than Berlin or Amsterdam, but cost of living follows. Strong expat community, excellent food, and weather comparable to Singapore — without the humidity.

Lisbon — Growing tech ecosystem, well-established expat infrastructure, English widely spoken. Rent has risen faster than salaries since 2020, but it remains one of Europe's more affordable capitals. The NHR tax advantage no longer applies to new arrivals.

London — Highest absolute salaries and the most liquid English-language job market in Europe. The Skilled Worker Visa requires employer sponsorship. The Immigration Health Surcharge (~£1,035/year per adult) and high rents compress the savings rate compared to continental cities.

Run your own numbers

The table above uses approximations. What your salary actually buys depends on your specific gross, living situation, and neighbourhood. Enter your monthly or annual salary into the calculator — it uses each country's exact tax brackets, social contributions, and current rent data to show your real take-home.

See what your salary buys in European cities →