Location Guide - Country Guide
Country comparison table for a quick reference guide to help individuals gain a better understanding of the costs and living standards in various countries.
| |
Gross Salary* |
Income Tax ** |
Social Security costs |
Living costs |
Quality of life |
| Belgium |
4= |
3=*** |
4 |
1 |
5 |
| France |
4= |
6= |
6 |
5 |
6 |
| Germany |
3 |
6= |
5 |
3 |
2 |
| Luxembourg |
4= |
3= |
2 |
2 |
4 |
| Netherlands |
4= |
1**** |
7 |
4 |
3 |
| Switzerland |
1 |
5 |
1 |
6 |
1 |
| UK |
2 |
2 |
3 |
7 |
7 |
Enclosed is a list of 7 of the most popular work destinations in Western Europe taking into account 5 specific sets of criteria – salary, tax, social security costs, cost of living and quality of life.
The information is based on a foreign national from another EU country who has 3-4 years of experience gained within a big four practice firm relocating to work in internal audit for a large multinational company.
For the purpose of this table 1 is deemed to be the ‘best’ score and 7 the ‘worst’ on a comparative basis.
Therefore in the case of gross salary and quality of living a higher result in these categories gives a higher ranking and in the case of taxation, social security costs and living costs the lower the costs - the higher the ranking.
*Gross Salary is based on the market rate for an auditor with 3-4 years of experience gained working in a big four practice firm working for a large multinational company based in the capitol city or main seat of business of these countries.
** Income tax rates are based on an unmarried auditor without any children undertaking a 50 -60% international travel position.
*** Income tax is based on a foreign national undertaking a 50 - 60% travel position and spending 40% of his/her full and total work days out of Belgium. Since 1959, Belgium has adopted a special tax system for certain foreign executives, these people are treated as non-residents and taxed only on salary or directors’ fees related to professional activities in Belgium. Under the special scheme, foreign executives are allowed to exclude taxable income that relates to duties performed outside Belgium, therefore a 40% reduction in income tax could be expected.
*****Takes into account a 30% tax ruling. Expatriates employed in the Netherlands on a temporary basis may in certain situations avail themselves of the 30% facility. This facility applies to employees coming from outside the Netherlands allowing the employer to grant a tax-free lump-sum allowance for the extra costs of the employee’s stay in the Netherlands.
This lump-sum allowance amounts to a maximum of 30% of the sum of the wages and the allowances.
For further information regarding relocating to find a new position please contact us at information@recsel.com
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