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Ask HN: How to relocate to Europe as a software developer

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Re: Ask HN: How to relocate to Europe as a software developer

#11

Post by chmod775 »

It's pretty easy to move to (most) European countries really. It's nothing like what you're hearing from people trying to move to the US.

Most will just let you stay to work (visa/residence permit) with relatively little bureaucracy. As long as you have a job they won't bother you. There's some other requirements (qualified professional, certain income), but as a software developer you won't have any trouble. Your employer will probably help you.

If you want to get a passport usually you'll need to have found work, lived in the country for a number of years, and pass various tests for your language ability and such.

You will then likely also have to renounce your old citizenship.

Specifying the country you wish to move to and where you're coming from would allow people here to give more helpful advice.

Re: Ask HN: How to relocate to Europe as a software developer

#13

Post by bulte-rs »

madeofpalk wrote: post #6
sloaken wrote: post #2

I assume the easiest method is to obtain a EU passport. So the followup is how to get an EU passport? If I recall correctly (read it a few years ago), some EU countries, you could buy your way into a passport. Not sure if it is still true. And I remember the larger (richer?) EU countries were not happy with the countries doing that.

> I assume the easiest method is to obtain a EU passport. I am... not sure this is true, and I'm not sure why you would think it is? Usually its much easier to obtain a work visa than a passport.

Getting a visa is definitely easier than getting a passport. My advise is to look for a good employer, and have a relocation agency take care of the rest. They know what to do and know the intimacies of - e.g. - tax benefits you might be eligible for.

(n.b. Not immigration specialists but married to expat tax advisor)

Re: Ask HN: How to relocate to Europe as a software developer

#14

Post by beaconstudios »

throwaways885 wrote: post #10

Do you count the UK or just EU countries? London still has top class developer jobs going, but I assume it's much harder to get in nowadays.

I would assume it's the same amount of effort as before, if you're coming from outside the EU.

I can attest to the UK having well-paid developer jobs though, especially in London. I'm not in London but I have friends who are and they're doing well.

Re: Ask HN: How to relocate to Europe as a software developer

#15

Post by Jiejeing »

oji0hub wrote: post #9
anovikov wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's just that the pay is abysmal and locals hate immigrants :)

They don't and the pay is fine. Don't act like a d** and you'll be fine.

To be fair, aside from perhaps very specific domains (e.g. finance) or corporations, the pay probably looks dismal if you compare it to SV levels. Making six figures is certainly something hard to reach.

Ditto on the immigrants thing though, Germany is certainly not the worst country in that regard.

Re: Ask HN: How to relocate to Europe as a software developer

#16

Post by burnoutguru »

sloaken wrote: post #2

I assume the easiest method is to obtain a EU passport. So the followup is how to get an EU passport? If I recall correctly (read it a few years ago), some EU countries, you could buy your way into a passport. Not sure if it is still true. And I remember the larger (richer?) EU countries were not happy with the countries doing that.

Huh?

If you have enough $$ to buy a passport then you are probably not using HN or a jr developer. This means a multi multi million dollar investment in a country and some amount of bribery.

Next also unrealistic option is to buy a “Golden visa”, which starts around €250k in real estate investment in Malta and takes 2 years.

The “easiest” shortcut is to marry an eu citizen.

Another route is to get a 1-year student visa by attending a full time language school, then finding a local company to sponsor you for a gig.

Or, they could just apply for jobs online.

Re: Ask HN: How to relocate to Europe as a software developer

#17

Post by oji0hub »

Jiejeing wrote: post #15
oji0hub wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They don't and the pay is fine. Don't act like a d** and you'll be fine.

To be fair, aside from perhaps very specific domains (e.g. finance) or corporations, the pay probably looks dismal if you compare it to SV levels. Making six figures is certainly something hard to reach. Ditto on the immigrants thing though, Germany is certainly not the worst country in that regard.

The number of figures is pretty irrelevant when you factor in cost of living.

Re: Ask HN: How to relocate to Europe as a software developer

#18

Post by botto »

beaconstudios wrote: post #14
throwaways885 wrote: post #10

Do you count the UK or just EU countries? London still has top class developer jobs going, but I assume it's much harder to get in nowadays.

I would assume it's the same amount of effort as before, if you're coming from outside the EU. I can attest to the UK having well-paid developer jobs though, especially in London. I'm not in London but I have friends who are and they're doing well.

Yes, developers jobs are well paid in London, depending on the company, there are several places that take advantage of their developers and pay poorly. My advice to most London devs is move company often until you find a salary you're happy with, companies need you more than you need the company.

Re: Ask HN: How to relocate to Europe as a software developer

#20

Post by viraptor »

chmod775 wrote: post #11

It's pretty easy to move to (most) European countries really. It's nothing like what you're hearing from people trying to move to the US. Most will just let you stay to work (visa/residence permit) with relatively little bureaucracy. As long as you have a job they won't bother you. There's some other requirements (qualified professional, certain income), but as a software developer you won't have any trouble. Your em…

> You will then likely also have to renounce your old citizenship.

That's limited only to a few countries (both origin and destination). Most of them don't really care about dual citizenships. https://m.dw.com/en/dual-citizenship-in-europe-which-rules-a...

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