UK & Europe Taxes Explorer
Use this interactive explorer to estimate your effective tax burden across the UK and selected European countries. Adjust income, country, and tax type to see how income tax, social contributions and VAT interact, then jump into detailed country calculators for precise results.
Quick UK & Europe Tax Comparison Tool
Assumes single person, standard tax situation. Country‑specific details vary.
Estimated breakdown
Income tax: –
Social contributions:
Total direct tax: –
Effective direct tax rate: –
Net take‑home (before VAT on spending): –
VAT is shown as a standard rate only. Actual VAT paid depends on your spending pattern.
Typical headline rates (snapshot)
| Country | Top marginal income tax | Employee social contributions (approx.) | Standard VAT rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 45% (additional rate) | ~12% main NI band | 20% |
| Germany | 45% + solidarity surcharge | ~20% combined (health, pension, etc.) | 19% |
| France | 45% | High social charges; often 20–25%+ | 20% |
| Spain | Up to ~47% (varies by region) | ~6–7% employee share | 21% |
| Italy | 43% | ~9–10% employee INPS | 22% |
| Netherlands | 49.5% | Social security largely integrated into tax bands | 21% |
| Sweden | ~52–55% incl. municipal tax | Employer pays most social charges | 25% |
Figures are indicative and rounded. Always check official guidance or a professional adviser for up‑to‑date rules.
Jump to detailed UK & Europe tax tools
UK Income Tax (England & NI)
Calculate PAYE income tax, personal allowance and National Insurance.
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Scottish Income Tax
Model the separate Scottish tax bands and rates.
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Welsh Income Tax
Combine UK and Welsh rates to estimate your liability.
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UK National Insurance
Estimate employee and employer NI contributions.
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UK VAT
Add or remove VAT, and explore standard vs reduced rates.
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UK Capital Gains Tax
Estimate CGT on investments and property (non‑primary residence).
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German Income Tax
Model Einkommensteuer, solidarity surcharge and basic allowance.
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German VAT (Umsatzsteuer)
Work with 19% standard and 7% reduced rates.
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German Capital Gains (Abgeltungsteuer)
Estimate flat tax on investment income and gains.
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German Trade Tax (Gewerbesteuer)
Approximate municipal trade tax on business profits.
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German Church Tax
Estimate Kirchensteuer based on your income tax.
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UK Capital Gains Tax (Detailed)
Model allowances, basic/higher rate bands and property rules.
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How this comparison tool works
The quick comparison tool above is designed to give you an approximate feel for how tax burdens differ between the UK and major European economies. It is not a full tax return engine and deliberately simplifies complex national rules.
Core idea:
For each country we apply an approximate effective income tax rate and, optionally, an approximate employee social contribution rate to your gross income:
\( \text{Income tax} \approx \text{Gross income} \times
r_{\text{income}} \)
\( \text{Social contributions} \approx \text{Gross income}
\times r_{\text{social}} \)
\( \text{Effective direct tax rate} = \dfrac{\text{Income tax}
+ \text{Social}}{\text{Gross income}} \)
What the tool does well
- Lets you quickly compare headline tax pressure across several countries.
- Shows how income tax and social contributions combine into a total direct tax burden.
- Links you directly to country‑specific calculators for more precise modelling.
What it does not do
- It does not handle all allowances, deductions, family situations or regional surcharges.
- It does not compute actual VAT paid, only shows the standard rate.
- It does not replace professional advice or official calculators from tax authorities.
Key differences between UK and European tax systems
When you compare the UK to continental Europe, it helps to separate three main pillars of the system:
- Personal income tax – progressive rates on employment and other income.
- Social security contributions – often large in continental systems, sometimes paid mostly by employers.
- Consumption taxes (VAT) – broad‑based taxes on spending, with standard and reduced rates.
1. Income tax
The UK uses a progressive income tax with a personal allowance and several bands (basic, higher, additional). Scotland has its own band structure, while Wales can vary rates slightly. Many EU countries also use progressive bands, but the top marginal rate and the income level at which it applies can differ significantly.
2. Social contributions
In the UK, National Insurance contributions are relatively modest compared with some EU states, and a large share of social funding comes from general taxation. In countries like France or Germany, social contributions are a major part of the tax wedge, with separate charges for pensions, health insurance, unemployment and more.
3. VAT and other consumption taxes
The UK standard VAT rate is 20%, broadly in line with many EU countries where standard rates cluster between 19% and 25%. However, the range of reduced and zero rates differs, which affects the tax burden on essentials such as food, energy and public transport.
Cross‑border considerations for UK and EU residents
If you live, work or invest across borders, you need to consider:
- Tax residence rules (e.g. UK Statutory Residence Test, 183‑day rules in many EU states).
- Double tax treaties that allocate taxing rights and provide foreign tax credits.
- Special regimes for expatriates or new residents (e.g. non‑dom rules, impatriate regimes).
- Withholding taxes on dividends, interest and royalties, and how they interact with your home country tax.
Our country‑specific calculators focus on domestic rules. For complex cross‑border situations, you should consult a qualified tax adviser.
Using CalcDomain for UK & Europe tax planning
A practical workflow is:
- Use the comparison tool on this page to get a rough sense of relative tax burdens.
- Open the relevant country calculator (UK, Germany, etc.) to model your actual income mix.
- Use our currency converter to translate results into your base currency.
- Discuss the outputs with a professional if you are making relocation or investment decisions.
Disclaimer: This page and the associated tools are for educational and planning purposes only and do not constitute tax, legal or financial advice. Tax law changes frequently and may be applied differently depending on your personal circumstances.