How Take-Home Pay Varies Across Europe in 2024 – And What It Means for Families and Workers

When discussing salaries in Europe, one critical distinction often overlooked is the difference between gross pay and net income—what workers actually take home after taxes and social contributions. In 2024, this gap varies dramatically across European countries, depending on factors such as tax systems, social security contributions, family benefits, and the structure of the household.

Euronews recently examined take-home pay across Europe based on three common household scenarios: a single earner without children, a one-earner couple with two children, and a two-earner couple with two children. Here's what they found.

1. Single Earners Without Children: Who Keeps the Most?

For individuals earning the average national salary, the average EU take-home pay is 68.6% of gross income. That means if you earn €1,000, you're left with around €686 after deductions. But the actual amount varies widely across countries.

Lowest Net Pay Ratios:

• Belgium: 60.3%
• Lithuania: 61.8%
• Germany: 62.6%
• Romania: 63.1%
• Denmark: 64.3%

Highest Net Pay Ratios:

• Cyprus: 84.4%
• Switzerland: 82.6%
• Estonia: 79.5%
• Czechia: 79%
• Spain: 77.5%
• Sweden: 76.9%

France and Italy land in the mid-range, with take-home ratios of 71.9% and 69.6%, respectively.

2. One-Earner Couples with Two Children: How Family Benefits Make a Difference

Households with children generally receive more support in Europe, often through family allowances or tax credits. On average, one-earner couples with two children take home 82.6% of their gross earnings, a significant jump from single individuals.

Countries Where Net Pay Exceeds Gross Pay:

• Slovakia: 107.1%
• Poland: 102.5%

This is due to generous family benefits and "negative income tax" schemes, which provide financial support beyond what was deducted in taxes.

Other Top Performers:

• Switzerland, Czechia, Luxembourg, and Portugal – All over 90%

Lowest Ratios:

• Romania: 70.4%
• Turkey, Denmark, Finland – Below 75%

Biggest Take-Home Increases (compared to childless single earners):

• Slovakia: +31.2 percentage points
• Poland: +26.6 pp
• Luxembourg: +22.4 pp
• Belgium: +19.8 pp

In contrast, Greece, Cyprus, and Finland saw minimal differences between the two household types, with increases under 5 percentage points.

3. Two-Earner Couples with Two Children: Dual Income, Modest Gain

For two-income families with children, the average EU take-home ratio is 73.6% of gross earnings. The benefits of having both partners working are slightly diluted by progressive tax systems and smaller incremental benefits compared to single-earner families.

Top Countries:

• Slovakia: 88.9%
• Switzerland, Czechia, Luxembourg, and Poland also offer high net earnings

Bottom Countries:

• Belgium: 65.8%
• Turkey: 65.9%

In only 8 countries did this group see take-home increases of more than 5 percentage points over the single-person scenario, revealing that many family policies do not strongly reward dual-income households.

Actual Salary Figures in 2024: The Income Gap Across Europe

Let’s look at some actual numbers for better context:

Single Person Without Children:

• EU average: €29,573 net out of €43,105 gross
• Switzerland: €85,000+ net
• Iceland, Luxembourg: Over €50,000 net
• Bulgaria: €11,074 net
• Turkey: €11,440 net

One-Earner Couple with Two Children:

• EU average: €35,656 net
• Switzerland: €98,835 net
• Turkey: €11,440 net

Two-Earner Couple with Two Children:

• EU average: €63,523 net
• Switzerland: €178,553 net
• Turkey: €22,880 net

These figures show not only differences in tax burdens and welfare policies but also underscore Europe’s wide income inequality—both in earnings and in state support.

How did real wages change in 2024?

Curious about how real wages changed in 2024 compared to 2023? Our article “Where Did Real Wages Rise and Fall the Most in Europe in 2024?” takes a closer look at the shifts—adjusted for inflation.

With the same gross salary, a one-earner couple with two children takes home €7,083 more than a single person without children.

Conclusion: A Continent of Contrasts

Take-home pay in Europe is shaped by more than just your salary. Your household structure, number of dependents, and country of residence can dramatically impact what lands in your bank account each month.

Countries like Switzerland, Slovakia, and Poland have designed systems that significantly reward families, especially one-earner households with children. Meanwhile, Belgium, Romania, and Turkey often leave workers with less in hand after taxes and deductions.

For anyone considering relocation, comparing gross salaries isn’t enough—net income, family support, and living costs are the true indicators of financial well-being.