The European Union’s Best Cities for Tech Workers

This article has been researched and written in collaboration between Tim Danton and Ricardo Oliveira.

No matter how you feel about the merits of the European Union project, there’s one thing you can’t deny: it has immensely improved the mobility of both people and goods between its country members.

The backbone of this mobility is, of course, the unique agreement between EU members that its citizens all have the same right to reside, work, study and travel in any EU country.

No visas or permits are needed. Families can stay together, no matter their nationality. The currency is the same in the vast majority of countries (20 out of 27). Shared healthcare protocols enabled medical support no matter where people are. Academic accreditation is often transferrable or portable between universities in different countries, and kids can go to school anywhere. Mobile charges are calculated at local rates, regardless of location. Quite symbolically, one can go on an interrail and crisscross the continent by train without any border checks.

And while there are 24 official languages, English – quite ironically given Brexit – is often a second language, spoken fluently by a vast number of people and used abundantly for business.

This accessibility means working in another country is often as easy as picking up and going. Europeans make good use of it too, with a recent survey highlighting that one in five intend to work abroad.

If they work in the tech sector, though, where should they move to?

We set ourselves the above question when ranking the European Union’s best cities for tech workers.

Over many months, we compiled data on average salaries, tech offerings, crime rates, quality of education, and many other variables (read our detailed methodology below).

The final result is a list of 45 cities that should be considered by anyone in the tech sector. While some rank higher than others, it would be unfair to say those towards the bottom of the list are unattractive destinations – quite the opposite.

There are thousands of cities in the European Union – these just happen to be the very best.

Note: This article will be updated regularly as we unveil the full list. Bookmark this page or follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date whenever we reveal more cities.

Top 5 best cities for tech workers in the EU

• #1 – Vienna
• #2 – Amsterdam
• #3 – Berlin
• #4 – Munich
• #5 – Madrid

#1 – Vienna

We’ll be frank. When we created our long list of best cities for tech professionals, we thought Vienna would be top ten, at best. Certainly not number one. But we’re happy for the numbers to prove us and our preconceived notions wrong: this bustling city is home to successful startups, a buzzing university and cutting-edge technology firms.

What you don’t get is globally famous names. Instead, think of companies like Deepsearch, which started its natural language processing journey way back in 2010. Or Software One, which has been providing software and cloud solutions to its partners for over 30 years.

So what pushed Vienna above all its rivals? We’ll put it into two key words: sustained excellence. While other cities in this top five excelled in many areas but fell short in others, Vienna put in a strong showing throughout.

Take salaries, where its average of €64,000 for tech workers put it in number eight position. Combine that with a relatively low cost of living – compared to the other cities where techies can pull in such big salaries – and it immediately got off to a great start.

With low crime stats, great education facilities (Vienna ranked #3 here) and superb quality of life (#7), Vienna is simply a great place to work if you have the skills. And perhaps most importantly, tech jobs are plentiful here too.

Best performing factor: Education #3
Worst performing factor: Cost of Living #23

I am proud to say that Vienna has nurtured an extraordinary environment for technology experts. The position of this city right in the middle of Europe and its good quality of life entices talent from all over the world. With a vibrant ecosystem supported by innovation and a strong community backing both start-ups and well established tech companies alike; Vienna’s creativity and tech thrive.

The institutions of higher learning in Vienna churn out highly skilled graduates while keeping up with modernization through preservation of cultural customs. In addition to its orientation towards sustainable development and digital transformation, this creative setting ensures availability of enough job opportunities as well as a relaxing environment for people who work in technology.

We are convinced this shows how progressive Vienna is when it comes to being a major center for startups. We cannot wait to keep adding more value into Vienna’s booming technology ecosystem.

Wolfgang Fengler, CEO of World Data Lab

#2 – Amsterdam

Who wouldn’t want to live and work in Amsterdam? This is one of Europe’s most thriving and cultural cities, famed for its museums, its canals and its liberal culture. But we think Amsterdam should be even more famous for its tech scene, as this city provides quite amazing opportunities for tech workers.

Out of all the big cities, for instance, Amsterdam came top in terms of opportunities per person. And that isn’t due to one dominant employer: the jobs cover all sectors, from creative agencies to VR specialists, and all company sizes. We’re almost tempted to say that if you can’t find a tech job in Amsterdam, you can’t find a tech job anywhere!

You will have a fair number of graduates to compete against, however, with Amsterdam home to seven universities (fortunately, two of these are dedicated to art and fashion). In terms of quality of education, it nestled just inside our top ten.

And we have even better news if you do land a job. Despite having a competitive score in our cost of living analysis, Amsterdam came second for average salary – quite the combination. All of which means you’ll have more money to spend on bitterballen, stroopwafels and appeltaarts. And whatever else you might find hiding away in Amsterdam’s coffee shops.

Best performing factor: Avg Salaries #2
Worst performing factor: Cost of Living #44

Amsterdam’s tech scene is thriving thanks to its diverse and highly skilled workforce, excellent infrastructure, and a strong culture of innovation. The city’s strategic location within Europe, combined with a supportive business environment and high quality of life, makes it an ideal destination for tech professionals from around the globe. Whether it’s cutting-edge startups or established tech giants, Amsterdam offers a dynamic ecosystem filled with talent that fosters growth and collaboration.

Roemie Hillenaar, CEO at Creative Fabrica

#3 – Berlin

When we published our pick of the top tech companies in Berlin we called the city the “startup capital of Europe”. But that was more of an opinion than an accolade – the result of researching the city qualitatively rather than quantitatively, if you may. As it turns out, our opinion wasn’t far off the mark. Looking at the data crunched for this article, Berlin’s startup scene ranked number two, only surpassed by Paris.

It wasn’t the only factor in which Berlin scored above its final rank. When it came to education and quality of living, Berlin ranked number one.

These successes are, of course, all interconnected. The startup scene is bolstered by the calibre of Berlin’s education system, with universities graduating the students that go on to launch the next SAP. The quality of living makes it all the more appealing for those looking to move from abroad. And then there are the competitive salaries on offer – on this factor, Berlin ranked number three among all 45 cities.

What would it take to get to the top? Our data suggests Berlin could have done significantly better in terms of crime and cost of living, ranking in the bottom third of the table for both. It could also do better for jobs posted per capita, where it ranked 14th. It’s not necessarily that Berlin is a dangerous city or that there aren’t enough tech jobs going around – merely that other cities performed even better.

All in all, bronze is nothing to frown upon. And it wouldn’t surprise us if next year Berlin does even better.

Best performing factor: Education and Quality of Life #1
Worst performing factor: Cost of Living #38

Berlin is a thriving hub for tech enthusiasts and innovators, offering a unique blend of cutting-edge technology and rich cultural experiences. The city’s vibrant startup ecosystem, renowned universities, and collaborative atmosphere nurtures creativity and innovation.  

Berlin’s diverse and inclusive environment makes it an ideal place for tech workers from around the globe. It boasts ample opportunities to network, a strong talent pool and government support that benefits tech companies and start-ups. The affordable living costs, high quality of life, and inspiring backdrop provide an unparalleled setting for both personal and professional growth—particularly for young workers and entrepreneurs. 

There’s no doubt Berlin is one of Europe’s most creative and exciting places to live and work. A city where people have an opportunity to be at the forefront of innovation—driving change and shaping the future.

Oksana Lukyanenko, General Manager at Wolt Germany

#4 – Munich

Munich may not have the worldwide fame or glamour of Berlin, but anyone who’s visited this Bavarian city will know of its charms. With more than one visit to the Oktoberfest between us here at TechFinitive, we’ve always felt it would be a fantastic place to work. It turns out we were right.

It helps that Munich has one of Europe’s most vibrant startup scenes, coming in at number seven in our list. And with a fifth-place position for tech job postings, you should have no trouble finding opportunities if you’re after a more regular role, too. For example, Siemens has its HQ in Munich, and it’s also where IBM decided to place its global HQ for IBM Watson Internet of Things back in 2017.

The good news is that you can expect an excellent salary, typically €58,400 according to GermanTechJobs, and while Munich isn’t the cheapest place to live it compares well with similar cities.

But what propelled this city into the top five was its chart-topping result for safety. There’s less crime in Munich than in any city in Europe other than The Hague. And it’s the safest in Germany by some distance.

Best performing factor: Crime Rate #1
Worst performing factor: Cost of Living #40

Munich is an amazing city for tech workers because it has everything to offer that you need. There is UnternehmerTUM, the best ranked innovation and entrepreneurship center of Europe, TU Munich as one of the top ranking European Universities and almost all tech companies with sites next to many of the large and medium sized German companies.

Last but not least, with all the lakes, the river Isar, and the mountains nearby, the recreational value is one of the best in the world.

Andreas Liebl, Managing Director at appliedAI Initiative GmbH

#5 – Madrid

In the commentary provided for this article (see below), Andres Tortarolo Fragola, a local C-Level executive highlighted the startup scene and quality of living as a big part of the appeal of Madrid. Unknowing to Andres, our data backs that up entirely.

When looking at aggregate data across crime rates, cost of living, education and quality of life combined, Madrid came second out of 45 cities, only behind Prague (and not by much). And as far as its startup scene is concerned, our data placed Madrid in fourth place, echoing what research publications such as the Startup Genome have highlighted when they declared the city as the number one emerging ecosystem and number ten for overall ranking worldwide.

By these metrics alone, Madrid should rank higher than five in our list of best cities for tech workers. So what held it back?

In sum, a tech job market that isn’t as punchy as what can be found elsewhere. Both the volume of tech jobs available and the salaries on offer weighed down Madrid’s rank. On both fronts, the city ranks middle-of-the-table, worse than “arch-rival” Barcelona – but better than Valencia and Seville, which both feature in this list.

All in all, though, number five is a mighty rank for Madrid, topping the charts for Spanish cities and far ahead of most capital cities in Europe.

Best performing factor: Education and Startup Scene #4
Worst performing factor: Cost of Living #28

I am thrilled to see Madrid being recognized as one of the top cities in the European Union for tech workers. This accolade is a testament to the city’s dynamic and innovative ecosystem, which has been instrumental in driving growth across various sectors, including sports, media, and entertainment.

Madrid’s appeal to tech professionals is multifaceted. The city boasts a vibrant startup culture, supported by a network of incubators and accelerators that nurture entrepreneurial talent. Additionally, Madrid offers a high quality of life, with its rich cultural heritage, world-class dining, and extensive green spaces, making it an attractive destination for top tech talent from around the globe.

Andres Tortarolo Fragola, Chief Revenue Officer at Vanquish Sports & Media Group

Top 6-10 best cities for tech workers in the EU

• #6 – Prague
• #7 – Stockholm
• #8 – Warsaw
• #9 – Copenhagen
• #10 – Budapest

#6 – Prague

Not only is Prague one of the most beautiful cities in the EU, it’s also one of the best to work in if you happen to be a techie. There’s a lively selection of startups – including grocery delivery platform Rohlik and VR sports training company Sense Arena – that’s fed by 30 diverse universities.

You will have competition when applying for jobs, and that means salaries are higher in other cities in our top ten, but get past that hurdle and you’ll enjoy exceptional quality of life. You can rent an apartment close to the town centre for under 1,000 euros per month, while the necessities of life (by which we mean beer and restaurants) are incredibly affordable compared to other EU capitals.

With low crime figures (it ranked fifth out of 45 on our list) and an endless list of historic buildings to explore, Prague is not only a superb city for tech workers but also for anyone who loves culture.

Best performing factor: Quality of Life #4
Worst performing factor: Volume of Tech Jobs #25

As an industry association, we cooperate with investors who have the Czech Republic in their sights and together with our partners we help them enter the Czech market. We know their main reasons for choosing Prague or other places in the Czech Republic and it is interesting that they have changed slightly in recent years.

The attractiveness of the Czech Republic as a location for setting up and operating an IT or digital business services centre has always been determined mainly by its accessibility and proximity to key markets, the quality of its infrastructure and the optimal time zone for providing services on a global level. Now it appears that new reasons are prevailing, in particular the security and stability of the country and the quality of life here, which can attract foreign experts.

Jonathan Appleton, Managing Director of ABSL (The Association of Business Service Leaders in the Czech Republic)

#7 – Stockholm

Do some research on Stockholm’s tech scene and you’ll inevitably come across an article dubbing it the “Silicon Valley of the North”. There’s some truth to this. As recently as 2021, it was second only to the actual Silicon Valley in the number of unicorns per capita, birthing and incubating Skype, Spotify and Klarna.

There are other commonalities to its Californian big brother, which came through our data. Stockholm ranked in the top ten across multiple factors that, for the most part, also apply to Silicon Valley: high salaries, robust education system, quality of life, number of tech jobs on offer and its startup scene.

Also, in many ways, the worst-performing factor for Stockholm is one that Californians in the Bay Area and around Silicon Valley will be all too familiar with. And that is a very high cost of living. Here, Stockholm ranked 36 out of 45.

Had it not been for this, Stockholm would have been in our top five tech cities for tech workers. But a top-ten finish is nothing to shrug at, with Stockholm still the place to be for those wanting to launch the next tech big thing. Much like Silicon Valley. And that’s why Stockholm beat not only every other Swedish city we analysed but also its Nordic rivals in Copenhagen and Helsinki.

Best performing factor: Quality of Life #5
Worst performing factor: Cost of Living #36

Stockholm is certainly a city with an innovative spirit, lots of technical expertise and an open and collaborative business culture. The city is constantly moving forward, there’s a well-educated workforce along with many well-known tech companies and unicorns – especially green ones .

Also, the government supports technical advancements and Microsoft has planned to invest nearly 34 billion SEK over two years in cloud infrastructure and AI. I work with many companies within the tech sector and I would say that the optimism is high. The companies, especially impact tech companies, also attract investment, which is a good signal for future opportunities.

Sofie von Stapelmohr, Partner at Grant Thornton Sweden AB

#8 – Warsaw

Warsaw’s top ten standing on this list is only a surprise if you haven’t paid attention to History. Here’s a city that had a staggering 85% of its buildings razed to the ground by Nazis and much of its population murdered in concentration camps. When the Second World War was over, the historical Old Town and Royal Castle were gone.

What did its people do?

They set to rebuild the Old Town – quite literally – brick by brick. The “Bricks for Warsaw” project was launched largely to address the lack of housing following years of war, but in the process, Poles reconstructed their cherished city to look like it used to, based on oil paintings, postcards, news photos and family albums.

While the decades of Soviet subjugation that followed slowed down the city’s recovery, Warsaw defiantly rebuilt not only its infrastructure but also its economy. That recovery hastened after the fall of the Berlin Wall, and accelerated once again when Poland joined the European Union in 2004.

Today, Warsaw is a case study for the rest of Europe. Crime rates are very low. Salaries, tech jobs, education, cost of living and its startup scene all ranked in the upper third of our charts. It’s outperforming many other EU members that had joined the project decades earlier. Geographically, the city might still keep a watchful eye on its neighbour to the East, but integration with Europe has allowed it to become an epicentre of trade, logistics and tech.

Such is the power of the human spirit and in Warsaw, that spirit is very much alive.

Best performing factor: Crime Rate #7
Worst performing factor: Quality of Life #25

Warsaw is an exceptional place for tech workers due to its thriving tech ecosystem, highly skilled workforce, and vibrant culture.

The city offers numerous opportunities for professional growth, supported by a strong educational system and numerous tech meetups and conferences. Moreover, the cost of living is relatively low compared to other major tech hubs, which allows for a great balance between fast-paced work and a high quality of life. Warsaw’s strategic location in Europe facilitates easy collaboration with our teams across the continent.

The city’s dynamic environment, rich history, and modern amenities make it an attractive destination for tech professionals looking to make a significant impact in their careers. I may be biased, but Warsaw embodies the perfect blend of opportunity, talent, and lifestyle!

Piotr Grzegorzewski, VP of Product Design at Ivy.ai

#9 – Copenhagen

Let’s start with the good news for tech workers thinking about a career in Copenhagen: you will be paid exceptionally well. In fact, the most of any city on our list. But before you place your order for the Tesla Model X, a snip at 1,136,050 Kroner, bear in mind that a high cost of living (it was 36th most expensive in our 45-strong list) will limit your disposable income.

Copenhagen remains a fantastic place to work, however, with almost half of commutes taking place on bike (being flat helps). And the Danish approach to work-life balance is considered one of the best in the world. That gives you all the more time to explore the bars, cafés and art galleries that make Copenhagen such a popular choice for city breaks.

Employment opportunities abound, too. IBM, Microsoft and Deloitte all have offices in Copenhagen, while a creative culture – along with a strong education system – means that its startup scene is exceptional. As one example, consider Reshape Biotech, which hands over the task of watching petri dishes to AI and robotic imaging.

If you want your career to grow like mushrooms in a petri dish (we won’t point you to the mould videos), then there’s no doubt about it: Copenhagen is a fantastic choice.

Best performing factor: Salaries #1
Worst performing factor: Cost of Living #43

The Copenhagen culture, especially within tech, is unique. There is a lot of trust, flexibility, and opportunity to foster your identity outside of work.

There is an inherent trust that people get the job done without micro-managing them. People feel like their own boss at work, which is empowering and ensures that people are refreshed at work, which is also very valuable to the companies in Copenhagen.

People work hard but also have the flexibility to foster their interests outside of work. If you have a family, you get to spend time with them. If you don’t, you can dive into other things like sports, building stuff, which a lot of engineers like doing, or whatever floats your boat.

Talika Bacon, Global Talent Acquisition Partner for Logpoint

#10 – Budapest

Budapest is not only one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, it’s also one of the best places to live. With a low cost of living – a pint of beer costs as little as 350 Hungarian Forints, which is less than one euro – and plenty of fantastic bars and restaurants to spend your cash, you’ll struggle to find a better value place to spend your nights and weekends.

Despite the age of its architecture, there is a young feel to Budapest. That’s in part due to the numerous universities (18 according to UniversityGuru), but also because the low cost of living is attracting young professionals to the city. And not just Hungarians, but digital nomads from around Europe and beyond.

Young tech professionals are definitely among that group, with a healthy number of tech jobs on offer. Budapest ranked 16th out of 45 countries for advertised tech roles, and it performed equally well for startup opportunities. Examples: productivity app Craft to organise your life and shapr3D, with its stated aim of shaking up the CAD industry.

And don’t worry if your language skills don’t stretch to Hungarian. As Daniel Fazekas mentions below, English is commonly spoken in Budapest and is often the default within its international-orientated businesses. As it’s such a popular tourist destination, you won’t feel out of place too.

Best performing factor: Cost of Living #3
Worst performing factor: Salaries #36

Budapest stands as a vibrant hub in the global tech landscape, renowned for its exceptional pool of skilled professionals and innovative spirit. The city has cultivated a dynamic tech ecosystem, driven by a strong emphasis on STEM education and a supportive community of developers and entrepreneurs. Hungarian tech professionals are celebrated for their cutting-edge expertise and problem-solving abilities, providing high-quality solutions at competitive rates. This blend of affordability and excellence makes Budapest an attractive destination for international collaborations.

Moreover, the city’s developers are well-versed in working with global clients, offering cultural compatibility and fluent English communication that ensures smooth project management. With a reputation for dedication and reliability, Budapest is an excellent choice for forward-thinking technology partnerships.

Daniel Fazekas, CEO at Scriptide

#11 – Barcelona

As we mentioned when we published our piece reviewing some of the top tech companies in Barcelona, there’s a youthful vibe to the city that brings together the worlds of pleasure and work – and makes both better.

Take its markets. Hundreds of stalls lined up next to each other, row upon row of produce in all shapes, smells and colours in a manner that overwhelms the sense in the most pleasant way. How can that not inspire, say, an aspiring fashion designer?

Take its many UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with architecture that crosses styles and centuries, housing art from some of the greatest painters the world has ever seen. How can that not encourage the next wave of architects?

Or take the 300+ languages spoken in the city, by an expat population of more than 500,000 people; how can such cultural diversity not foster ideas, businesses and commerce?

The data we collected seems to confirm our suspicions above. Barcelona has a startup scene that ranked among the best in Europe (#3) and benefits from the increasing popularity of the city as a major tech hub – it helps that the Mobile World Congress, now approaching its 40th anniversary, has committed to the city. Salaries are competitive and job postings are at least middle of the pack.

As for pleasure, the city ranked in our top ten for both education and quality of life which should come as no surprise to the roughly 34,000 foreign students enjoying tapas by day and caña by night.

What held it back? Well, those crowded markets are prime for pickpocketers. Crime was the worst performing factor and, together a cost of living that has skyrocketed in the last decade, held the city back from a higher position on our rank.

Best performing factor: Startup Scene #3
Worst performing factor: Crime #35

There’s a reason that Barcelona is one of the world’s leading tech hubs with more than 1,700 startups and 400 scale-ups within the city. It has a thriving, supportive network of innovators that benefit from outstanding infrastructure, accommodating regulations and access to exceptional talent. 

In addition to our headquarters in London, Barcelona provides us with a massive opportunity to support SMBs not only within Spain, but across Europe into Asia and in Latin markets too. The city is a gateway to reaching global customers who are suffering from being unbanked, or underbanked, and excluded from traditional lending. 

Bilal Bajwa, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Stenn

#12 – Helsinki

While it may not quite top our list of tech cities, we think anyone with an open mind should consider Finland’s capital as their next working destination. If you’re anything like the rest of its residents, you’ll certainly be happy there: incredibly, it came top in 2020’s World Happiness Report, beating hundreds of other happy cities in the process.

What makes it so fantastic? After all, Finland is not known for its warm weather. The answer comes down to a wide mix of factors, from its low levels of crime to its high salaries, from the work-life balance to the nightlife. In every area, Helsinki scores highly. And, although we don’t have the figures to back this up, we’re pretty sure it comes top for saunas-per-people ratio too.

This happy ambience also appears to encourage people to take risks, with Helsinki riding high on our startup list. A little ironically, one of them is Sooma, which uses a “a noninvasive brain stimulation technique” to help treat depression and chronic pain.

There aren’t quite as many tech jobs per capita as the cities above it in this list, which is one of the reasons it doesn’t climb higher in our charts, but what do you care if you land one?

Best performing factor: Salaries, Crime #6
Worst performing factor: Cost of living #31

Helsinki, the birthplace of Linux, boasts a vibrant and collaborative culture of innovation. The two top universities in the country produce focused scientific and technical research while attracting talent globally. As a lasting legacy, the Nokia mobile phone business cultivated a world class pool of technical talent now driving the development of companies of various sizes across different industries. 

Helsinki has for some time been a hotspot of startup funding. Slush, one of the world’s premier startup conferences, takes place annually, attracting investors and entrepreneurs globally. There are a number of targeted government grants and co-creation ecosystems to support and mentor startups.

Finland has an egalitarian and collaborative working culture with low hierarchies, which makes it easy for global tech professionals to integrate. The society in general is well-organised with excellent connectivity everywhere, advanced digital public services and streamlined bureaucracy. Helsinki itself is one of the world’s safest and cleanest cities, offering abundant access to nature.  

Otto Pulkkinen – Head of Industry Solutions at Top Data Science

More tech cities to come!

This article will be updated regularly as we unveil the full list. Bookmark this page or follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date whenever we reveal more cities.

Methodology for determining the best cities for tech workers in the EU

To determine the best cities for tech workers in the EU, we crunched hundreds of data points across three main categories. Those categories can be roughly grouped as follows:

• Salary: we used this category to determine the strength or weakness of salaries on offer for a particular city, also taking into account its population. The salary data we looked at was specific to tech workers, which we determined using a proxy of different tech job titles (such as software developers and IT managers).
• Quality: with this category, we tried to capture aspects unrelated to work that make a city appealing to live in. These included factors such as crime rates, cost of living, cost of housing, quality of the education system, quality of leaving and the cultural scene. Combining these factors gave us an overall “quality” score.
• Employment: we carved out “salary” from “employment” to give it more weight, as it’s so important. Under “employment” we accounted for variables such as the volume of tech jobs being offered and the strength or weakness of each city’s startup scene.

Having the above categories listed separately allowed us to attribute different weights to metrics that we believe were more – or less – important. However, the categories are interconnected and it was the combination of all the data crunched that ultimately determined what rank a city attained.

All the data used for this analysis is publicly available data. We did not use any generative AI as part of our research. If you would like to know more about how we arrived at our ranking, please feel free to contact us.

Updates: this article was updated on 16 August with a list and description of the best 6-10 cities for tech workers in the EU.