European Income Tax Rates 2026
Income tax in Europe varies more widely than almost anywhere else in the world. Bulgaria and Romania tax employment income at 10% flat. France, Austria, and Belgium have top marginal rates above 50%. For professionals comparing offers across European cities, the gross salary figure is only part of the picture — the after-tax take-home on the same gross can differ by €20,000 or more per year depending on location.
This section covers verified 2026 income tax rates for 10 European countries, with illustrative calculations at an €80,000 gross salary and context on how each country's tax structure affects total compensation. All figures are income tax only; social contributions are described separately on each country page.
Verified 2026 data · 17 countries covered
Denmark, Estonia, Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands, and Ireland are not included in this batch — their figures require additional verification or per-canton/per-region detail.
High-tax countries (50%+ top rate)
These countries have top marginal income tax rates at or above 50%. At an €80,000 gross salary, income tax in this group ranges from approximately €17,300 to €34,000.
Mid-range (20–49% top rate)
Poland and the Czech Republic have two-tier structures that produce effective income tax bills in the €13,000 to €19,000 range at €80,000 gross — meaningfully below Western Europe but above the flat-rate countries.
Low-tax countries (10–20% flat rate)
Bulgaria, Romania, and Hungary all use flat income tax rates of 10 to 15%. At €80,000 gross, income tax in this group ranges from €7,500 to €12,000 — the lowest in the EU.
Compare two offers across locations
Enter two salary figures and adjust the location panel to compare the after-tax value across different markets.
Compare Job OffersAlso see: US states
US states have large income tax variation too — from zero-tax Texas and Florida to California's 13.3% top rate.
US State Income TaxIncome tax rates shown are top marginal rates for 2026 unless noted otherwise. Calculations at €80,000 gross are illustrative only. Actual tax owed depends on filing status, deductions, social contributions, and applicable tax treaties. Belgium's rate is approximate due to municipal variation. This is not tax advice — consult a qualified professional for your situation.