As Italian, I suggest to migrate in Netherlands. It's a country with a huge IT sector, few bureaucracy compared to others, high salaries and low taxes (for Europe). Everyone speaks english correctly and there is very few racism in the society.
Ask HN: How to relocate to Europe as a software developer
91–100 of 105 posts
Re: Ask HN: How to relocate to Europe as a software developer
#92Earlier quoted context omitted.
That is partially true. The absurd remunerations of SV engineers factor in the cost of living, for sure, but generally people can consolidate a decent amount of capital in a few years if they have a good position. Even if you have to spend $2000 for a two-bedroom flat, if you earn $150k/yr you are likely able to save more money than someone earning €50000 with a €500 flat. (I am not saying SWEs are underpaid in the E…
It's not just accommodation. Larger European cities are also usually pretty good for walking / cycling / public transport, so you often don't need a car. Cost of schools starts at $0 (details depend on a country). Basic coverage means you may not need a hospital visit emergency fund. Etc.
That is true. I am not disparaging our (most of europe’s) social security model, which I would never give up for a US-like one; but at higher levels of compensation that is usually not a factor, unless you have a terminal illness that will gut your finances.
(I am european with a MSc and have never paid for education, do not have a car, and am very happy with most of the social security programs. I only tried to see things from another point of view)
Re: Ask HN: How to relocate to Europe as a software developer
#93I haven't seen this talked about in the comments so thought I would mention it: depending on where you're from and where you're planning to go, you could try a Working Holiday Visa.
Not all countries are part of this program and the ones that do all have their own requirements (usually there is an age limit of As others have said I would recommend Ireland. I spent 3 years working in Dublin after I graduated and it was the best time of my life! Irish people are very welcoming and you will find a job fairly easily (although your first one could be a tech support / very junior role). Biggest issue of Dublin is the housing market is a disaster at the moment so don't expect to get your own 2 bedrooms apartment. Although that's mostly a Dublin issue, but that's where you would get the most jobs in the country.
There are other countries too where you could find english speaking jobs (Netherlands, Germany...) but you would still probably need some basics in the local language for day-to-day life. Ireland doesn't have that issue obviously.
Re: Ask HN: How to relocate to Europe as a software developer
#94Earlier quoted context omitted.
Maybe they should have phrased it better - but there are some places in Paris (an example I'm familiar with) a typical tech worker would make for an awkward situation at best and a dangerous one at worst. Especially if the tech worker doesn't present as a monogamous heterosexual.
Where exactly ?
For someone from the west and specifically LGBTQ any area around any mosque that doesn't allow women would be hard to enjoy long-term.
Re: Ask HN: How to relocate to Europe as a software developer
#95Andorra is kinda easy.
Re: Ask HN: How to relocate to Europe as a software developer
#96Croatia just started a program where you can stay for a year (instead of the usual 90 days) as a digital nomad. > A DIGITAL NOMAD IS a third-country national who is employed or performs work through communication technology for a company or his own company that is not registered in the Republic of Croatia and does not perform work or provide services to employers in the Republic of Croatia. https://www.croatia.hr/en-…
Do you have a source for Canada? Afaik that is not allowed
Canada is one of the few countries that explicitly allows remote work on a tourist visa.
Re: Ask HN: How to relocate to Europe as a software developer
#97How old are you and which country are you currently in? There are a few ways to do it; I made the move in 2012 on a Working Holiday Visa. You had to be under a certain age and be a citizen of a country that has this visa scheme agreement with the EU. The visa allows you to work in the EU country for a year. I saved up about 6 months of expenses, moved, then looked for work here. It was much easier to interview on-location and being able to start immediately than trying to get someone to hire and relocate me remotely. I ended up at a large company which, after my allowed year, helped me get a proper work and residence permit and stay in the country.
Re: Ask HN: How to relocate to Europe as a software developer
#98Earlier quoted context omitted.
Sweden is a bit over-bureaucratic. To get a work visa, you need a job. To get a job, you need a home address in Sweden. To rent something to get a home address, you need work visa and a job, and it takes a lot of paperwork to break this cycle. Also depending on the city finding an apartment to rent can take a lot of time [1]. Consider adding Czechia to your list. Nice place with good beer, and central enough to easil…
Thanks very much for the info! Moving internationally is difficult enough without the destination being particularly bureaucratic. Maybe I'll target Germany first and just travel to Sweden if I manage to live the dream and move to Europe for a time. I'll also check out Czechia, sounds interesting. thanks!
@pajko is wrong and maybe is mixing Sweden with another country.
You definitely don't need an home address in Sweden to get a work permit or a job (source- moved to Sweden, now a citizen) and the bureaucracy is really light for you and not over complicated for an employer.
The process can take only a few weeks for a software engineer and a company registered in immigration services (most bigger SW companies are) and involves documentation from you and the company, "approval" from a union and putting a job add on a public board.
There were few cases where engineers were not paid enough, and that's really low pay, or didn't get the proper insurances from their employer which caused their permit to be revoked, but those are really rare cases.
You get your permanent residency semi-automatically after 4 years and citizenship after 5.
Re: Ask HN: How to relocate to Europe as a software developer
#99i feel like 90% of remote dev jobs in europe used to be from amsterdam -- this is prob 10 years ago (or more!).
it was so over the top it looked like a scam.
but i don't think it was a scam.
i'm not sure what it was, or is.
like, there are no devs in amsterdam?
anyways.