Highest Take-Home
United Kingdom
2025-26 · London
27.8%
effective tax rate
Take-home
$72,162
$6,013/mo
Income 23% Social 5%
On a $100,000 salary, you'd take home $72,162 in United Kingdom versus $60,008 in Netherlands.
United Kingdom
$72,162
+$12,154/year
Netherlands
$60,008
That's $1,013 more per month in United Kingdom
Side-by-side breakdown
Netherlands
2026
40.0%
effective tax rate
Take-home
$60,008
$5,001/mo
Income 25% Social 15%
Tax rate by income level
Effective Tax Rate by Income
Shows effective tax rate (total tax / gross income) at different income levels in USD
Understanding the difference
Life & Taxes
A Tale of Two Hubs
From the high-octane energy of London's financial district to the bicycle-clogged canals of Amsterdam, both nations are magnets for ambitious professionals and creative nomads. While the UK offers a grand, historical stage for career climbers, the Netherlands attracts those seeking a more balanced, 'gezellig' lifestyle where family time and cycling to work are the gold standard.
Pub Perks vs Canal Culture
Living in the UK means navigating a vast, diverse landscape of bustling metros and rolling hills, where the social life often revolves around the local pub. In contrast, the Netherlands offers a compact, ultra-efficient way of life where everything is reachable by bike and the work-life boundary is fiercely protected by employers and employees alike.
The Taxman’s Strategy
The UK keeps things relatively straightforward with a generous personal allowance that lets you keep your first several thousand pounds untouched, though high earners see this perk vanish. The Dutch system integrates its social security directly into the lower tax brackets, creating a streamlined but often steeper initial climb for your paycheck compared to the British tiers.
Your Welfare Safety Net
British taxpayers fund the legendary NHS, providing healthcare that is free at the point of use, alongside a National Insurance system. The Netherlands takes a different path, requiring a mandatory nominal health insurance premium, but in exchange, you're stepping into one of the world's most robust and well-funded social infrastructures.
The Final Verdict
If you want a higher tax-free starting threshold and a massive global city at your doorstep, the UK is your winner. However, if you don't mind a higher top marginal rate in exchange for world-class public transit and a society designed for human well-being, the Dutch tax 'Box' is a price well worth paying.
Detailed tax breakdown
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