Trending Articles
Trending Topics
Trending
This article has been researched and written in collaboration by Tim Danton, Ricardo Oliveira and James Payne.
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.
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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)
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
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
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
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
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
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
Rotterdam has a history of reinventing itself.
Take the Port of Rotterdam, one of the largest and busiest ports in the world. For centuries, it has served as a gateway to Europe for goods coming from across the globe, not least because of its ability to deal with logistical problems through innovation. Consider the 19th century Nieuwe Waterwege, a once-unthinkable, man-made giant canal that gives the Port of Rotterdam deep-water access to the North Sea.
After World War II, the city was largely rebuilt due to extensive damage, which gave it the chance to reinvent itself architecturally. Today, it’s renowned for its innovative and modern architecture, including striking buildings like the Cube Houses (Kubuswoningen) and the Erasmus Bridge (Erasmusbrug).
Fast forward to the 21st century and Rotterdam deserves credit for how it’s approaching climate change. Green is not just the colour of its flag: despite its industrial image, Rotterdam is committed to green spaces and sustainability. The city features a range of parks and green roofs, with several initiatives aiming to enhance the urban environment and biodiversity.
If invention is the name of the game, it seems tech is at the heart of it. The city ranked #3 for tech jobs per capita and #4 for salaries on offer. Back that up with a growing startup scene – as highlighted in this love letter to Rotterdam written by a local businessman – and you’ve got the makings of an attractive city for tech workers. Careful how you manage that salary, though, as the city came 37th out of 45 for cost of living.
Best performing factor: Tech Jobs per Capita #3
Worst performing factor: Cost of living #37
Rotterdam’s strong infrastructure and public transportation make it easy for professionals to commute and collaborate, which is why it has become a prime hub for tech talent. The city’s strategic location within Europe, combined with its focus on innovation, creates a supportive environment for businesses to thrive. Rotterdam also offers a range of team-building activities, from boat tours to laser tag and an array of bars, making it a vibrant place to work and socialise.
Anastasia Kotinopoulou, Marketing Manager at C Teleport
It should be no surprise that Paris is one of the best places for tech workers in Europe. It ranked top out of every city for its startup scene, which wasn’t a surprise to us: when we visited Eureka Park at CES 2024, France had more startups on show than any other country with 125 companies touting their wares. We expect to see the same at CES 2025.
Paris claimed number two spot in a further two categories: education and quality of life. Neither of which will surprise anyone. Take education, where Paris has a history stretching back centuries coupled with grandes écoles such as the famous École Polytechnique. There’s no shortage of high-quality technical graduates in this city.
We need spend little time extolling the virtues of Paris’ night life either. Whether you seek café culture, a vibrant art scene or fine dining, Paris holds the answer.
So why isn’t it even further up our charts? The first reason is simple: cost of living. Only a handful of European cities are more expensive to rent accommodation and buy essentials, which is perhaps one reason why more established technology companies tend not to be based here. And that has a knock-on effect in terms of advertised jobs for tech workers.
As with most capital cities, Paris also attracts criminals. Here, only two cities in this list can “beat it”, namely Naples and Marseille (this is based on figures from Numbeo’s Crime Index and Safety Index).
However, we don’t want to overstate this. We think Paris’ many benefits outweigh any negatives. The biggest factor you need to take into account is cost of living: if you’re moving here for a new job, make sure you negotiate a great starting salary so you can enjoy the city’s many attractions.
Best performing factor: Startup scene #1
Worst performing factor: Crime levels #43
Paris has emerged as a dynamic hub for innovation and entrepreneurship in Europe, driven by a strong tech ecosystem, access to world-class talent and an unwavering commitment to fostering collaboration. The city offers a unique blend of established industry players and cutting-edge startups, creating a fertile ground for technological advancement. With initiatives like Station F and a growing focus on deeptech, AI and sustainability, Paris has become a prime destination for tech professionals seeking growth and impact.
At RaiseLab, we are proud to play a pivotal role in this ecosystem by bridging the gap between startups and large corporations. Our mission is to foster meaningful collaborations that accelerate innovation and drive long-term value. Paris’ vibrant tech scene is a reflection of the collective effort from all stakeholders – government, corporates, academia, entrepreneurs and investors – who continue to push boundaries and define the future of technology in Europe.
Paul Jeannest, CEO and Co-Founder of RaiseLab
Rounding up the top tier of cities for tech workers we bring you Dublin. Here’s a city with a booming tech ecosystem that shows no signs of slowing down.
Secrets to its success? First, let’s talk jobs. Dublin has a thriving startup ecosystem, with plenty of incubators and accelerators (our data placed it at #8 for that category). Then there’s a constellation of tech giants with a significant presence in and around the city. Finally, it’s tough to match Dublin’s flywheel combo of education, tech salaries and quality of life.
Startup-wise, we highlighted some of its success stories when we wrote about the best tech companies in Dublin last year. That success continues thanks to abundant networking events, tech meetups and funding opportunities both from local and international investors. It sure doesn’t hurt that the government has supported it greatly, notably through the Enterprise Ireland initiative.
The established tech players reads like a who’s who of the famous brands: Google, Meta, Microsoft, TikTok and Amazon all have offices in the city. Google and AWS have both invested in infrastructure, too, with major data centres located in the country.
As for the abovementioned flywheel, Dublin offers competitive tech salaries compared to the majority of tech cities in Europe, a strong pipeline of tech talent from local universities like Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin, and a cosmopolitan lifestyle, thick with rich cultural heritage, green spaces and, according to scientists, extra tasty Guinness.
What’s holding it back from ranking up higher on the list? In short, the cost of living, which has remained high despite slowing inflation. In fact, Dublin placed last in our data set. Best to drown that sour note with a pint of Guinness, if you can afford it…
Best performing factor: Salaries #7
Worst performing factor: Cost of Living #45
Dublin is one of Europe’s most unique technology hubs. It is home to some of the world’s biggest companies at the forefront of innovation, including Google, Meta, Microsoft and OpenAI, among many others. This in turn has helped to foster a thriving local tech startup ecosystem, with unicorns such as Intercom, LetsGetChecked and Wayflyer that have scaled globally from Ireland, inspired by the success of Stripe.
Together, this hive of activity centred around the capital’s Silicon Docks area has created a plethora of high-quality job opportunities, in a country that is Europe’s fastest-growing economy and the largest English-speaking country in the European Union.
Alan Merriman, CEO & Co-Founder of Elkstone
Chances are that you haven’t been to Krakow, Poland’s second largest city. But if you’re a tech worker, there are plenty of reasons to add this city to your shortlist, especially if you like history: its striking Historic Centre was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1978.
But modern Krakow is very much about today, with one of the most vibrant tech scenes of all the cities we cover in this 45-strong list. It placed #8, with an astonishing number of jobs available when you bear in mind its population of around 800,000. Cisco, IBM and Capgemini all have a strong presence here.
With low crime levels, great salaries and a relatively low cost of living, it should be little surprise that Krakow is considered one of the nicest places to live among expats. Theatres, museums and galleries abound, but as one expat reveals it’s useful to learn Polish if you want to enjoy plays.
And if you’re worried about your language skills not being up to scratch, you should find you get away with English. According to Practical Krakow, that will be enough in central shops, restaurants and hotels.
Best performing factor: Tech jobs #8
Worst performing factor: Startup scene #39
There are a few reasons why Krakow has been booming for the last couple of years.
First, the talent pool here is incredible. With over 50,000 IT professionals and top universities churning out nearly 9,000 graduates a year, there’s a constant stream of skilled people entering the market. Second, there’s a real buzz around innovation. Krakow has been ranked as one of the Top 100 Emerging Ecosystems globally and is the second best startup ecosystem in Poland. This means there’s a ton of support for early-stage ventures. There are incubators, accelerators and funding options readily available, which fosters a really creative and dynamic environment.
Finally, the city itself is just fantastic. It’s a beautiful, historic place with a great quality of life. The cost of living is lower than many Western European cities, allowing tech employees’ salary to stretch further and enjoy a comfortable lifestyle.
Agnieszka Muchajer, Head of Communications at SALESmanago
Ranking #17 on this list is worthy of praise in its own right. In the case of Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, it also comes with bragging rights. The city is the first among the trio commonly known as the Baltic states to make an appearance, edging its friendly neighbouring rivals of Tallinn and Riga.
Ever since it left the grasp of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, the city never looked back. In 2004, Lithuania joined the EU, opening up access to the Common Market. Fully embracing the spirit of mobility and trade, Vilnius made good use of a forward-thinking regulatory environment to attract numerous fintech companies and turn the city into a European fintech hub. The country’s e-Residency program makes it attractive for talent and foreign companies and investors to move, with Vilnius the premiere destination.
Given the background above, it’s no wonder that the data we collected ranked the city #9 for tech job postings, with a respectable #22 rank for its startup scene. What really edged Vilnius over many of its competitors, though, was a combo of an appealing cost of living (where it ranked #10) and crime rate (#11).
To challenge its Nordic neighbours across the Baltic Sea, Vilnius will need to offer its residents more to do when they are not at work. While there’s plenty to enjoy, the city only ranked #39 for quality of life. That, paired with middle-of-the-table salaries, means there’s still room for improvement for this emerging tech player in the European scene.
Best performing factor: Tech jobs #9
Worst performing factor: Quality of life #39
About to open the biggest tech campus in Europe, Vilnius is one of the top places globally for developing and rapidly scaling innovative FinTech solutions. At the same time, it is a green and historic city of human-proportions, a very liveable place.
Not only Vilnius boasts a rich and diverse startup ecosystem, but it also serves as a home or a launchpad for 9 unicorns and dozens of ambitious companies across the spectrum: from GameDev, GovTech to cybersecurity. Therefore, as Vilnius steadily develops into a regional tech hotspot, more and more global tech talents are discovering it every year, joining this forward looking ecosystem, which boasts one of the happiest young populations worldwide.
Žilvinas Švedkauskas, Managing Director at OSMOS.
We always reach out to local tech companies to see if they have something to say about the city they’re based in. At best, we get two, maybe three responses. It says something about Tallinn that FIVE different people, from five different companies, wrote in to praise the city.
“Estonia boasts the highest number of startups per capita, has pioneered online voting and digital signatures, and was the first to declare internet access a human right,” said David Bailey, CEO at Blu Mint. “Backed by a €14 billion tech ecosystem and a 5G network, Tallinn has attracted €3.1 billion in venture capital since 2015 and produced 1,136 startups, including ten unicorns like Skype, Wise, Bolt and Pipedrive.”
Not yet convinced this is the place for you? Here’s what Annika Helendi, Fractional CMO for B2B SaaS startups, has to say: “Everyone I know has a startup or has worked for a startup. It’s easy to get started and the startup community welcomes all newcomers and business veterans with open arms. Successful startup founders are always giving back to the community and mentoring (and investing into) the new startups that spring up here almost daily.”
The only thing to mention is that, according to our research, Tallinn is better set up for startups than getting a “regular” tech job. It placed in the top ten for startups, but #43 for tech job opportunities.
But don’t be dissuaded. As Marily Raveendradasan, Project Manager at Secnora, told us, Tallinn “attracts a global talent pool, supported by government initiatives like the e-Residency program, making it easier for international entrepreneurs and remote workers to integrate into the city’s dynamic tech landscape. With affordable living costs, excellent work-life balance, and a vibrant cultural scene, Tallinn provides an exceptional environment for tech workers seeking both professional growth and a high quality of life.”
That quality of life – backed by incredibly low crime figures – was emphasised by Oleksandr Buzan, Owner of Tech SEO agency BeneValue OÜ. “Tallinn is a cosy place and I would point your attention to the clean air and laid-back atmosphere, where rich historical and cultural influences meet a lively, creative urban setting.”
Best performing factor: Crime #4
Worst performing factor: Tech jobs #43
Being from Estonia, I might be a little biased, but I really love how Tallinn has grown into a major hub for startups. Skype started it all over 20 years ago, and now companies like Wise, Bolt, and Pipedrive are following in its footsteps. In fact, Estonia has more startups (and ‘unicorns’) per person than any other country. The startup scene here is super open and friendly, and it’s part of a global tech network. The tech community is really active too, with events like Latitude59 and sTARTUp Day that help people connect.
Tallinn also offers a great quality of life – it’s affordable, easy to get around, and gives you the perfect mix of city life and nature. Plus, Estonia’s low bureaucracy and digital-mindedness are eye-opening for many people who aren’t used to how smooth things run here.
Karoli Hindriks, CEO and Co-Founder of Jobbatical.
Often referred to as “Little Paris” for the omnipresence of French architecture in its city centre, Bucharest is diametrically different from the French city in at least one aspect: cost of living. While Paris – as mentioned above – ranked as one of the most expensive cities for tech workers to live in, Bucharest was the absolute cheapest.
The low cost of living has made the city attractive for tech professionals looking to move abroad. However, the abundant tech and engineering talent is mostly due to the universities and local training institutions. Both the University of Bucharest and the University Politehnica of Bucharest have strong curriculums in STEM which, paired with a largely multilingual population, result in a workforce equipped with skills highly in demand.
The above also helps explain why companies like Oracle, IBM, Microsoft and HP have all moved at least some of their IT operations and software development into the region. This, in turn, has helped the city become an IT outsourcing powerhouse. Romania is sixth in the world by number of certified IT specialists per 1,000 inhabitants, with a great deal of those based in Bucharest.
All in all, Bucharest is doing great on most fronts. Jobs are abundant, salaries are competitive and there are healthy pillars to foster growth in both its startup and education scenes. So what’s holding it back?
Culturally, the city is still recovering from the long shadow of the Soviet Union. While the city centre is stunning and well-renovated, beyond it, there are plenty of buildings in decay; an apt symbol of the recovery the city is still ongoing. Mired by corruption, that recovery has been slower than most would have hoped for; unshackled from it, perhaps we’ll see Bucharest rise up the rankings.
Best performing factor: Cost of Living #1
Worst performing factor: Quality of Life #42
As a Danish founder of Genos Danmark, a nearshoring company based in Bucharest, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the city’s transformation into one of Europe’s most dynamic tech hubs. What initially drew me to Bucharest was the extraordinary blend of local talent, paired with a thriving ecosystem of startups, multinationals, and a highly skilled IT workforce. The city offers an unbeatable combination of opportunity: affordable living costs, cutting-edge digital infrastructure, and a tight-knit, supportive tech community.
Bucharest has become a magnet for innovation, with events like DevTalks and Bucharest Tech Week serving as key platforms for networking and collaboration. These gatherings consistently attract top talent and thought leaders, making it an exciting space for new ideas and partnerships. But beyond the business advantages, Bucharest’s vibrant lifestyle, rich culture, and welcoming environment have made it more than just a place to work—it’s a city I’m proud to call home, both personally and professionally.
Erik Andreasen, CEO & Founder of Genos Danmark
With Berlin and Munich taking third and fourth place in our listings, we fully expected the third-best German city for tech workers to be in the top ten. But no, Cologne only just squeezes into the top 20, despite having so many things in its favour.
We wonder, though, if it will rise further up the list when we update our rankings next year, based on the success of DeepL in particular. Based on a $300 million investment announced in May this year, it is now worth $2 billion due to its astonishing ability to translate languages – with a focus on businesses rather than consumers.
Cologne also has plenty to keep you amused outside of working hours. At 11.11 am on the 11th of November (the 11th month, we probably don’t need to point out), the Kölner Karneval begins. And this is no week-long event: it lasts for four months, culminating in a week of “merrymaking” the week before Lent begins.
It’s particularly good news for the local breweries that make Kölsch beer – a hoppy number that’s served cold. We will investigate this for you further, fear not.
Less good news: Cologne isn’t a cheap place to live, ranking 29 out of 45 in our list for cost of living, and while it squeaks into 19th position for salaries it may be best if you didn’t spend every evening drinking Kölsch in the numerous cafés and bars. And you should also watch your wallet for other reasons, with the city ranking 29th for safety.
Best performing factor: Tech job postings #7
Worst performing factor: Startup scene #32
Cologne has become a rising star in Germany’s tech scene. Innovative companies like DeepL, known for its advanced AI translation technology; ESL, a global leader in esports; and Avenga, a digital transformation expert, are just a few examples of the city’s growing influence in the world. With a strong network of incubators, co-working spaces, and regular tech events, Cologne fosters an environment of innovation and collaboration, making it an attractive spot for startups and established companies alike.
Beyond the tech scene, Cologne offers a unique blend of tradition and modern living. Its iconic carnival, the welcoming spirit of its people, and the vibrant atmosphere along the Rhine make the city not only a hub for business but also a place with a rich cultural life and a warm sense of community.place to work—it’s a city I’m proud to call home, both personally and professionally.
Thorsten May, Managing Director of Avenga Germany
Hamburg’s history as an industrial and trading powerhouse dates back centuries, but it was during the 19th-century industrialisation that the city truly changed. Benefiting from its strategic location along the Elbe River, Hamburg became one of Europe’s largest and most important ports, which spurred rapid industrial growth and attracted manufacturers and labourers. Later on, when borders solidified into what is now Germany, it became known as Germany’s “Gateway to the World”.
In this hub of activity, new industries emerged. From shipbuilding and engineering to trade, they linked Hamburg to global markets and established a robust infrastructure that remains influential today. In many ways, this industrial legacy laid a strong foundation for Hamburg’s modern tech scene, which now thrives on international connections, advanced logistics and a culture of innovation.
Today, Hamburg’s shift from heavy industry to technology is evident in its hosting of major tech firms and startups, especially in fields like logistics tech, green tech, maritime software and media. Startups such as Vilisto (energy tech), MicroHarvest (agritech) and Impossible Cloud (decentralised cloud solutions) are backed by millions in venture capital.
Meanwhile, established companies including Microsoft, Google and SAP all have offices in Hamburg, alongside Airbus (whose Hamburg site is the largest in Germany employing more than 12,000 people). This helps explain why Hamburg’s best-performing factor in our analysis was volume of tech job postings per capita, with the city ranking #11, ten positions above its overall rank.
What’s holding it back? Like all other German cities that made this list, cost of living is among the highest in the EU. While that cost is balanced out against competitive salaries (with the city ranked #13 on that front), it’s not enough to improve Hamburg’s rank past a very honourable #21.
There are clear areas for improvement and clear foundations to build upon. Local business lead, Shishir Bhanot, who we quote below, perhaps put it best: underrated, yet full of promise.
Best performing factor: Tech job postings #11
Worst performing factor: Cost of Living #35
Hamburg’s tech scene is underrated yet full of promise. When people think of Germany, they think of Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt. The fat that it is underrated is what makes this city such an attractive proposition for workers.
Hamburg has been one of the most dynamic cities I’ve had the pleasure to work in. As a thriving hub for tech talent, it offers a unique blend of innovation and creativity. The city’s strong infrastructure, excellent connectivity, and vibrant cultural scene make it an ideal place for tech workers to grow both professionally and personally. Having lived and worked here for eight years, I’ve seen first-hand how the city has grown, and continues to grow, especially in marketing and technology, creating more opportunities for brands and employees to succeed.
Shishir Bhanot, Director & Functional Lead, Marketing Pulse Advertising
If you’ve ever been to Milan then you’ll know that it’s a hive of industry (and fashion: boy, do the people of Milan dress well). So it probably shouldn’t be a surprise that harbours one of the most active startup scenes in the EU, ranking at number nine in our list. This is something Leonardo Comelli, VP and Business Director at M-Cube points out in his tribute to the city below.
Perhaps it’s no surprise that Milan is also home to the largest technical university in Italy, Politecnico di Milano. On the day we write this, it’s hosting a convention on “Quantum in progress: strategies from revolution to industry” and a conference on female leadership. Whether culture or technology, Milan is clearly the place to be.
And in terms of culture, there is plenty for a tech worker to do in Milan. It’s home to the world-renowned Duomo di Milano cathedral, La Scala opera house and if you head to the Santa Maria delle Grazie then you’ll discover Leonardo da Vinci’s mural, The Last Supper.
If that’s made you hungry, you won’t be shocked to hear that Milan has amazing restaurants too. There’s the family-run Il Luogo di Aimo e Nadia, which has two Michelin stars, and seafood lovers flock to Langosteria. If those are a little too expensive for your budget, you can always try whipping up Risotto alla Milanese at home.
We do need to talk about the cost of living, which is high compared to others on this list (most notably for food). And keep your belongings close, with pickpocketing rife in the city’s many tourist destinations.
But don’t let these negatives put you off. There are plenty of tech jobs in Milan and who wouldn’t like to be able to say “Sì, ho vissuto a Milano per qualche anno”? (“Yes, I lived in Milan for a few years.”) Non noi di TechFinitive…
Best performing factor: Education #7
Worst performing factor: Cost of Living #39
Milan is Italy’s tech capital; by the end of Q1 2023, it had 2,669 innovative startups, which is 19% of the total in the country.
Due to attracting international students and professionals, plus boasting prestigious universities and technical institutes, Milan produces highly skilled graduates in engineering, computer science, and business. As a result, the city has a diverse and highly skilled workforce at hand and ready to bolster the tech landscape.
The government has spotted the potential, too; since 2016, it has introduced a series of reforms, tax reliefs and incentives to make it easier to both invest in and set up innovative start-ups. These include interest-free loans, tax deductions for R&D expenses and income tax exemption for new residents. Consequently, more than €1.3 billion was invested in Milanese startups in 2022 alone.
Leonardo Comelli, VP & Business Director, M-Cube
Lisbon’s history as a prominent trade city dates back to the Age of Discoveries in the 15th and 16th centuries when Portuguese explorers established global maritime trade routes. As a key port city, Lisbon connected Europe with Africa, Asia and the Americas. While it’s true that the exploitation of the native people encountered in those lands is a blemish that nations are still reconciling from, it’s also undeniable that this age ushered in a period of rapid growth in the exchange of goods, ideas, and technologies.
This mercantile heritage laid the groundwork for Lisbon’s openness to innovation and global influence. Praça do Comércio, a beautiful plaza by the much-rejuvenated Tagus River, stands as a reminder of that heritage.
Today, Lisbon channels this legacy into its thriving tech scene, serving as a hub for startups, international corporations and global conferences like Web Summit. The city’s historical role as a gateway to global markets parallels its modern status as a bridge for tech innovation and talent in Europe.
Talkdesk and OutSystems, two of the few unicorns the country has produced, both have offices in Lisbon. So does Google. But that’s where the list dwindles, which perhaps, helps explain why despite ranking #14 on our data for its startup scene, it ranks only #40 for tech job postings.
Best performing factor: Startup scene #14
Worst performing factor: Tech job postings #40
Lisbon has been rising up the ranks as a popular city for tech workers, not just across the EU but also globally in recent years. The country is a tech-friendly nation with a vibrant digital ecosystem, offering a high quality of life. Portugal is also home to some great engineering schools, and investment in education has grown and evolved in the past decade, helping to promote a skilled and innovative workforce with strong English language skills.
Businesses are motivated to establish themselves in Lisbon due to tax incentives, lower cost of living and operating, and the existing robust tech infrastructure and startup ecosystem. This has led to a strong networking landscape and increasing opportunities to support tech entrepreneurs. The Portuguese are early adopters by nature and the size of the local market is ideal for piloting products before they are launched at scale for other larger countries.
Workers value being part of a global company with a good, open and safe local environment. With Lisbon’s strong travel connections to other tech hubs, and advantageous time zone, global firms have also been drawn to hiring Portuguese talent as remote workers.
Miguel Baltazar, VP of Developer Relations at OutSystems
Frankfurt comes in fifth in terms of great German cities for tech workers and 24th overall in the EU. While it would no doubt wish to be even higher, there are plenty of reasons for the city to be considered.
Perhaps the most important is job opportunities. It came in fourth for tech jobs posting per capita, and it’s home to several well-known companies. MongoDB, makers of a popular database for modern applications, sits at the top of that list, but there’s also global trade specialist Flexport, enterprise app platform Mendix and data management company Rubrik.
The city is also well known for its local apple wine, night life – we’re told you should head to Sachsenhausen – and the Frankfurt Christmas Market. Culture lovers will love the cluster of museums found along the Rivera Main, including the Städel Museum with its historic collection of art.
As with all the German cities on this list, life is expensive. Luckily, salaries are among the most competitive here (#14) so you should enjoy life in Frankfurt as a tech worker.
Best performing factor: Tech job postings #4
Worst performing factor: Cost of living #34
Tomorrow University’s journey began in Frankfurt. It is a major business centre that has connected us with leading industry partners and institutions such as Eintracht Frankfurt, Fraunhofer and Deutsche Bank. This has been crucial for us, as many of our learners and mentors come from these organisations.
However, in the city rankings, Frankfurt came in 24th out of 45 which shows it is attractive but could be improved. On the one hand, it ranks really well for tech jobs per capita and average tech salaries but quality of living – including housing prices, culture, and cost – leaves quite a lot to be desired. If the city can improve social wellbeing and even make sure the companies benefiting from having their roots there are giving back, this will help to decrease inequities.
A lot of this comes down to education. If people can learn about and gain the tools to address real-world challenges and lead businesses toward a more sustainable future, it will benefit cities like Frankfurt. A focus on personal growth will equip a new generation of leaders to transform themselves and the global economy.
At Tomorrow University, we have since expanded our central co-working space to Berlin, driven by the city’s unique blend of cultural diversity and progressiveness, but we have a lot to thank Frankfurt for.
Christian Rebernik, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Tomorrow University
If you weren’t aware, the city of Luxembourg has the distinction of being the second-richest nation on Earth, trailing behind the United States. It is also home to Chiggeri restaurant, which has the most wine out of any restaurant in the galaxy, featuring an incredible 2200 varieties. That is not why it has made our list, however, Weighing in at #25 on our list of best cities for tech gurus and IT professionals, Luxembourg prides itself on its ability to attract large tech companies, thanks in part to its positioning as a reliable technology and data center hub. In addition to its investment in its technological centers, Luxembourg also offers tax incentives and acts as a tax-haven for Europeans looking to start a business or relocate to the city.
Two of the most well-known tech companies who call Luxembourg home are video chat and telecom software vendor Skype and ecommerce juggernaut, Amazon, who operate their European headquarters from the wealthy country.
When deciding where to rank Luxembourg on our list of best tech cities, we looked at factors including cost of living, salary, and employment opportunities. Luxembourg ranked particularly well in the salary department, scoring in the top 5 among all of the cities on our list. This should come as no surprise, as Luxembourg has the highest minimum wage in the EU. That being said, Luxembourg has an expected higher cost of living than most other cities we are highlighting, ranking 42 most expensive places to live out of the 45 choices on our list.
Luxembourg also ranked well for crime (ranked #14) and has a respectable startup scene (ranked #25), which is only expected to grow as the country invests more money into its tech infrastructure.
Best performing factor: Salary #5
Worst performing factor: Cost of living #42
Luxembourg is an excellent destination for tech workers, offering a highly supportive environment for innovation and career growth. As one of Europe’s leading financial hubs, Luxembourg also has a rapidly growing tech ecosystem, with a strong emphasis on digital transformation, cybersecurity, and fintech.
The country boasts a highly skilled, multilingual workforce and a robust network of startups, tech companies, and multinational corporations. Thanks to its strategic location in the heart of Europe, Luxembourg offers easy access to neighbouring markets and fosters international collaboration.
Additionally, the government’s pro-business policies, attractive tax incentives, and commitment to supporting technology-driven industries make it an ideal place for tech professionals.
Beyond work, Luxembourg offers a high standard of living, with a rich cultural scene, green spaces, and a strong focus on work-life balance, making it an ideal place to build both a career and a fulfilling lifestyle.
Michaël Duval, Startup Advisor at Baker Tilly
In total, there are 58 cities spread across 18 countries named Valencia. However, Valencia, Spain is the only one that made our list of top tech cities for IT professionals. The city is known for its beautiful weather, friendly locals, and low cost of living – a factor that helped place it as #26 on our rankings. More importantly for our list, Valencia is well known for its attractiveness to entrepreneurs, weighing in as the 122nd best entrepreneurial cities in the world. A large part of that has to do with its investment in tech innovation.
Most notably, technology companies like Bit2Me, Internxt, and Depasify have recently managed to generate funding rounds of $14 million, $3 million, and $2 million, respectively. Valencia contributes greatly to the startup ecosystem of Spain, which ranks #7 when it comes to startup investment, according to Startup Valencia.
One of the perks for tech professionals looking to relocate to Valencia is its low cost of living (#16), combined with its low crime rate (#20), and thriving startup scene (#24). Offsetting those positives, are a few average ratings, such as tech job postings (#30), and its middling salary compared to other cities on our list (#26). Still, Valencia is a great option for tech-savvy job seekers, coming at #26 on our list of best cities for tech professionals. Bonus points: Valencia, Spain is said to be the location of The Holy Grail. Bottoms up if you are able to find it!
Located in Bulgaria, Sofia is a beautiful city set amidst a backdrop of picturesque mountains and beach resorts, gently nuzzling the Black Sea. It is the cultural and financial centre of the country and is well-known for its top-notch educational system. Outside of its beauty, Bulgaria is also famous for being the home of former WWE wrestler Rusev the “Bulgarian Brute” and the Sofia Tech Park – Bulgaria’s first science and technology park that focuses on innovations in information technology and green energy.
Bulgaria has a long history with technology, as the first-ever electronic digital computer was invented by a Bulgarian inventor named Vincent Atanasoff. Other computational devices have their origins in the mountain country as well, including the digital watch.
One of the main reasons Sofia makes our list of top tech cities to live in is its great cost of living, which ranked #2 on our list. Back that with the good salary (#23), good tech startup scene (#21), and tech job postings (#24), and you can easily see why Sofia is a solid choice to create your own technology company or seek funding for a startup. On the flip side, crime (#27) could be better and education ranks near the lower end of the scale (rank #32) compared to other cities on our list. A final note of interest: Bulgarians nod up and down to indicate “no” and shake their heads side-to-side to say a resounding, “No.”
Riga is a city in Latvia, not to be confused with techno-wizard and master of Villainy Dr. Doom’s hometown of Latveria. It is sandwiched between Estonia and Lithuania and acts as the country’s capital. Riga is known for its beautiful Art Nouveau architecture (its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site), its cobblestone roads, and its medieval old town, which is still standing. The city is also entering the realm of European Metacities, focusing investments in tech ecosystems for AR/VR, 5G networks, and smart city innovations.
Outside of its seven 5G testbeds and educational system that has special programs for AR/VR applications, Riga also has its own smart intersection light, created by tech company LMT, which rely on road and infrastructure data to make traffic flow more efficient and increase safety standards.
Like Sofia, Riga has a terrific cost of living (#4), making it a very affordable tech city to live and work in. It also has a great startup scene (#20), which aligns with its tech job posting (#33), which will hopefully improve as the city continues to invest in tech innovations. Crime in the city (#25) is average compared to other cities on our list, but this is offset by good salaries (#16).
Brussels is located in Belgium and has many accolades under its belt, including being dubbed the unofficial capital of Europe, the inventor of the french fry, and the seller of the most chocolates in the world. We won’t even discuss their role in the “sprouts” community. Perhaps equally as impressive as the aforementioned accomplishments, is Brussels place in the European tech market. The city hosts the annual AI4Belgium conference, the Fintech Summit, and B-hive. Additionally, 33% of tech startups in Belgium are based out of Brussels.
Several of the top IT companies in the world also call Brussels home. The bustling city plays host to the European headquarters of such notables as Google, Microsoft, and Twitter – to name just a few. The city is also known for its tech innovation and investment, and is one of Europe’s leading “smart cities”. Brussels offers free public Wi-Fi and is expanding its broadband throughout the Brussels-Capital Region.
Brussels has a solid education system for IT professionals (#20), which makes sense when you factor in its tech job posting (#18) and its startup scene (#23). It should also be noted that Brussels does rank poorly on crime compared to other tech cities (#40) and its cost of living is above average on our list (#33). Overall, however, Brussels earns its spot on our tech list thanks to its commitment to tech innovation and research – and did we mention it has a bar with over 2200 different types of beer for you to sample?
Lyon is a city in France known for its beauty, energy, and quirky past. From reports of aliens having visited the city’s main square in the 9th century to tales of a rampaging crocodile overturning boats beneath a bridge in the Rhone, Lyon has certainly earned its place in the pantheon of interesting places to visit. More importantly for our list, Lyon is the second-largest digital ecosystem in France when it comes to the number of tech jobs, startups, and research funding. It also has more than 300 university courses devoted to IT and engineering subjects and ranks amongst the top 20 tech cities for developers.
Several tech giants call Lyon home, including such tech innovators as UbiTransport, Georges Tech, Agicap, Esker, and Dimo Software. The city also serves as a hub for organizations that promote the technical sector and help provide resources to IT professionals and tech startups, including ENE, the Digital League, EdTech Lyon.
Lyon ranks exceedingly well for education (#11) and has a great cost of living (#20). It also fairs well in both quality (#21) and tech job postings (#22). It does come in lower on the salary range compared to others on our list (ranked #34) and crime rates could improve (ranked #39). With its devotion to tech education and initiatives supporting the tech industry and its beauty, Lyon well-deserves its place on our listing of top tech cities in Europe.
Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, rests on the Danube River and is famous for its historic Old Town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the imposing Bratislava Castle. It borders two other European countries, making it a great travel hub, especially for those that need to commute to neighboring areas like Austria and Hungary. The city is known for its commitment to the tech scene, with government programs such as the Butterfly Effect, which offers mentorship and courses in software development, and the NGO Leaf program, which offers paid internships for young IT professionals.
Bratislava also hosts several events for tech startups, including the FutureNow conference, which recently held a startup competition. Tech notables Sli.do, Decent, Aeromobil, and Sygic are several tech startups to arise from such events, bringing mobile app development, transportation, navigation, and communication tools to the area.
Bratislava makes our list of top tech cities to live in part because of its terrific cost of living (#6), low crime rate (#19), and number of tech job postings (#20), which no doubt is contributed to by the numerous startup seed companies in the region. That being said, tech pros should be aware of the lower salaries in Bratislava (#41) and the number of employment opportunities within the city itself (#53). This can, of course, be offset by the city’s central location, as residents can easily commute to multiple other cities and countries in less than an hour.
Located in Belgium, Antwerp is home to a bustling port (the Port of Antwerp) and what could be considered the world’s most important petrochemical centres. It is also known for having the world’s largest coffee storage site (over 300,000 tonnes of coffee), the world’s largest chocolate museum, and being the diamond capital of the world. With all of the caffeine and endorphin producing coffee and chocolates, it should come as no surprise that the city attracts a lot of tech professionals, thanks also to its 12 incubator and accelerator programs and three innovation hubs (The Beacon, BueChem, and Dunden).
Antwerp boasts more than 700 tech startups and over 100 investors and venture capitalist firms, which include such notables as Fortino and imec. This makes the city a great place for those looking to start a business or join a tech company that is just getting off the ground.
We chose to include Antwerp on our list of top tech cities to live because of its number of tech job postings (#15), its education (#24), and its quality (#24). Employment opportunities could be higher and both its salary and cost of living (both ranked #32) could be better. Still, with its investment and support of local tech startups and programs aimed at boosting tech innovation throughout Europe, Antwerp is a great location for any aged tech professional looking for a place to call home.
Rounding up our list of best cities for tech workers, we have the following:
| #33 – Rome | #34 – Athens | #35 – Nicosia |
| #36 – Ljubljana | #37 – Zagreb | #38 – Gothenburg |
| #39 – Valletta | #40 – Seville | #41 – Turin |
| #42 – Porto | #43 – Malmö | #44 – Naples |
| #45 – Marseille | – | – |
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:
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. On 24 September, we updated it with a list of the best 11-15 cities. On 30 October, we added descriptions and listings for the best 16-20 cities.
