Europe SaaS salaries · SDR AE VP Sales benchmarks · European compensation
Europe SaaS Salary Benchmarks: What You Actually Pay by Role and Country
Gross salaries, employer social security, OTE structures and the total employer cost that matters for headcount budgeting. Not survey averages -- commercial realities.
Important note
All salary figures below are indicative ranges based on available market data (Hays, Robert Walters, Figures.hr, Glassdoor, TalentUp). Markets move. Always validate with a local recruiter or HR advisor before making offers. Employer social security rates are approximate and change with legislation.
SDR salary benchmarks by European city (2024-2025)
| City | SDR gross base | OTE (incl comm) | Employer SS rate | Total employer cost on base |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barcelona | EUR 26-38k | EUR 35-52k | ~31% | EUR 34-50k |
| Madrid | EUR 28-40k | EUR 37-55k | ~31% | EUR 37-52k |
| Lisbon | EUR 22-32k | EUR 29-44k | ~23.75% | EUR 27-40k |
| Berlin | EUR 35-48k | EUR 46-64k | ~20% | EUR 42-58k |
| Amsterdam | EUR 38-52k | EUR 50-69k | ~13% | EUR 43-59k |
| Paris | EUR 30-42k | EUR 39-56k | ~42% | EUR 43-60k |
| London | EUR 35-50k | EUR 46-67k | ~13.8% | EUR 40-57k |
| Dublin | EUR 35-48k | EUR 46-64k | ~11% | EUR 39-53k |
Account Executive salary benchmarks (mid-senior, B2B SaaS)
| City | AE gross base | OTE (2x base approx) | Total employer cost on base |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barcelona | EUR 50-70k | EUR 90-140k | EUR 65-92k |
| Madrid | EUR 52-72k | EUR 94-144k | EUR 68-94k |
| Berlin | EUR 55-75k | EUR 99-150k | EUR 66-90k |
| Amsterdam | EUR 65-85k | EUR 117-170k | EUR 73-96k |
| Paris | EUR 55-75k | EUR 99-150k | EUR 78-107k |
| London | EUR 65-85k | EUR 117-170k | EUR 74-97k |
| Dublin | EUR 55-75k | EUR 99-150k | EUR 61-83k |
Note: Barcelona's gross salary advantage over Amsterdam or London (~25%) is partially offset by higher Spanish employer social security (~31% vs ~13%). The total employer cost gap is smaller than the gross gap, but Barcelona remains meaningfully cheaper for most commercial roles.
VP Sales salary benchmarks (European B2B SaaS)
| City / Market | VP Sales gross base | OTE (base + commission) | Total employer cost on base |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barcelona (Beckham Law eligible) | EUR 80-110k | EUR 140-200k | EUR 105-144k |
| London | EUR 100-140k | EUR 180-280k | EUR 114-160k |
| Amsterdam | EUR 95-130k | EUR 171-260k | EUR 107-147k |
| Berlin / Munich (DACH) | EUR 85-120k | EUR 153-240k | EUR 102-144k |
| Paris | EUR 85-115k | EUR 153-230k | EUR 121-163k |
| Dublin | EUR 85-115k | EUR 153-230k | EUR 94-128k |
The Beckham Law effect on VP Sales compensation
At VP Sales level, the Beckham Law creates a meaningful net compensation advantage for Barcelona over most European cities. A VP Sales on EUR 100,000 gross in Barcelona under Beckham Law pays approximately EUR 24,000 income tax (24% flat rate). The same VP Sales in London at GBP 100,000 pays approximately EUR 38,000 in income tax and National Insurance. The Barcelona net package is more competitive despite a lower gross, which is why Barcelona is increasingly the preferred location for VP-level SaaS executives relocating from the US or UK.
See the full eligibility guide at The Beckham Law in Spain.
Commission and variable compensation norms
AE mid-market: 40-50% variable at OTE. 50/50 base-to-variable is most common. Accelerators above 100% quota.
AE enterprise: 30-40% variable at OTE. Higher base to account for longer cycles. Quarterly or annual settlement.
VP Sales: 40-50% variable at OTE. Quarterly payments more common than annual in Europe.
FAQ
What does an SDR earn in Europe by country?
SDR gross base salaries vary significantly: UK (London) EUR 35-50k, Germany (Munich/Berlin) EUR 38-52k, Netherlands (Amsterdam) EUR 38-52k, France (Paris) EUR 30-42k, Spain (Barcelona/Madrid) EUR 26-38k. OTE (with commission) is typically 1.3-1.5x base across all markets. The total employer cost including local social security varies: UK adds 13.8%, Germany adds ~20%, Netherlands ~13%, France ~42%, Spain ~31% on top of gross salary.
What does an Account Executive earn in Europe?
Mid-senior B2B SaaS AE gross base by city: London EUR 65-85k, Amsterdam EUR 65-85k, Munich/Berlin EUR 55-75k, Paris EUR 55-75k, Barcelona EUR 50-70k. OTE is typically 1.8-2.2x base for enterprise AE roles. The Barcelona-to-London gross salary gap of approximately 25-30% narrows significantly when you account for: (1) Barcelona Beckham Law net compensation advantage, (2) Barcelona cost of living 35-40% lower than London, (3) Barcelona employer social security 31% vs London 13.8% partially offsetting lower gross.
What commission structure should you use for European AEs?
Most B2B SaaS companies use a 50/50 base-to-variable split at OTE for European AEs. Accelerators above 100% of quota are standard (typically 1.5-2x per deal above quota). European AEs are generally less acclimatised to pure variable comp models than US counterparts -- expect base-heavy structures to win more competitive candidates. Commission payment timing matters: monthly or quarterly payment is preferred in Spain and France; annual commission structures common in US SaaS are culturally unfamiliar and often legally complex in European jurisdictions.
Are European VP Sales paid differently than US equivalents?
European VP Sales base salaries typically run 20-35% below US equivalents at comparable stage companies. OTE is proportionally lower. Equity is more variable: European candidates at VP level often expect 0.1-0.5% at Series A-B but are less acclimatised to options-heavy packages than US counterparts. The total comp gap is partially offset by lower cost of living (especially outside London), longer holiday entitlements (Spanish law: 22 working days minimum), and in Barcelona's case the Beckham Law net income advantage for relocated candidates.
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