How much do the middle class in Europe need to earn? Real data comparison from 10 countries

Want to know how much annual salary is considered “middle class” in different countries in Europe? The differences are greater than you might think.

The most expensive: The annual income of a Swiss middle-class family needs to be between 80,000 and 180,000 Swiss francs (approximately 90,000 to 200,000 US dollars), the highest in Europe.

The cheapest: Portugal only costs 15,000-42,000 euros/year, which is 1/5 of Switzerland.

Mid-level:

• 🇩🇪 Germany: Singles €31,000-57,000, Family of four €50,000-94,000
• 🇫🇷 France: After tax €26,000-76,000, at least $41,000 in Paris to rent a studio.
• 🇬🇧 United Kingdom: Singles £25,000 - £49,000, Four-person household £44,000 - £75,000
• 🇮🇹 Italy: Singles earn between €19,000 and €31,000 (lowest in Southern Europe), higher in Milan/Rome.
• 🇪🇸 Spain: €19,000-€52,000, at least €31,000 needed in Madrid/Barcelona
• 🇳🇱 Netherlands: €37,000-€89,000, strong social welfare system
• 🇸🇪 Sweden: High taxes but high welfare, 33,000-85,000 Swedish Krona
• 🇵🇱 Poland: fastest growing, 23,000-63,000 zloty, cheaper in rural areas

Core Difference: The threshold for the middle class in Western Europe is 3-5 times that of Southern Europe, but the healthcare/education benefits are also completely different. Similarly, an annual salary in Switzerland offers a quality of life comparable to living in Portugal—Europe is just that magical.