Software Engineer Salary in Spain (2026)
All posts | Mar 23, 2026 | Felix GerschauSpain is not where you go to maximise your software engineering salary. The national median total compensation sits at roughly €45,000–€50,000 — about half of what the Netherlands pays and well below Germany's €81,495. But Spain keeps showing up on relocation shortlists for a reason: cost of living is lower, quality of life consistently ranks among Europe's best, and a growing cluster of international tech companies in Barcelona and Madrid now pay €100K+ at senior levels.
The numbers at a glance
| Level / City | Median base | Median TC | Sample |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry (0–2 yrs) | €27,000 | €28,000–€35,000 | limited |
| All levels, Spain | ~€43,000 | ~€47,000 | ~350 |
| Senior (Spain) | ~€52,000 | ~€60,000 | ~180 |
| Barcelona (all levels) | ~€47,000 | ~€52,000 | ~160 |
| Madrid (all levels) | ~€45,000 | ~€50,000 | ~120 |
| 90th percentile | — | ~€85,000 | ~350 |
Source: levels.fyi Spain, March 2026. Self-reported data skewing toward large tech companies.
Spanish net salary estimator
2026 IRPF brackets + 6.35% employee social security. Optional Beckham Law flat rate.
Estimate only. Actual net depends on tax class, health insurance choice, and personal circumstances.
Equity and bonus are almost non-existent outside international offices. See our Spain visa sponsorship guide for relocation details.
How Spain compares to the rest of Europe
Spain's ~€47,000 median TC trails Germany (€81,495) by roughly €34,000 and the Netherlands (€89,987) by over €40,000. For other destinations, see our top 5 European cities for software engineers.
Which companies actually pay the most
Google (Madrid): Senior engineers (L5) report €140,000–€160,000+ TC. The highest-paying employer in Spain.
Amazon (Barcelona/Madrid): SDE-II €80,000–€100,000 TC, SDE-III €110,000–€130,000.
Glovo (Barcelona): Senior €70,000–€95,000 TC, staff approaching €100,000–€110,000.
Typeform (Barcelona): Senior €65,000–€85,000 base, TC reaching €80,000–€100,000.
Adevinta (Barcelona): €60,000–€90,000 at senior levels. See the Spain €100K companies guide. Browse roles at nextleveljobs.eu/country/es.
What level do you need to hit €100K in Spain?
At most Spanish companies, €100K requires staff or principal level. At US tech companies, mid-to-senior level crosses it. Google L4 in Madrid and Amazon SDE-III in Barcelona both clear six figures.
Base vs total comp — what to negotiate
Spain's compensation is overwhelmingly base salary. The Beckham Law (Ley Beckham) allows qualifying inbound workers to pay a flat 24% tax rate on income up to €600,000 for up to six years. On €100,000 gross, that's ~€76,000 net vs ~€65,000 standard. See our Spain visa sponsorship guide for eligibility.
Find live roles at nextleveljobs.eu/country/es.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the average software engineer salary in Spain?
- The median TC is approximately €45,000–€50,000. Senior-level median is roughly €55,000–€65,000.
- Is Barcelona or Madrid better paid?
- Barcelona edges slightly ahead (~€52,000 vs ~€50,000 median TC). Barcelona has more startups; Madrid has Google's HQ.
- Can you earn €100K in Spain?
- Only at international tech companies (Google, Amazon) at mid-to-senior level, or at staff level at top local companies like Glovo.
- What is the Beckham Law?
- A flat 24% tax rate for qualifying inbound workers on income up to €600,000 for up to six years. Dramatically increases net pay for relocating engineers.