Unlocking Innovation: Top Reasons to Hire Developers in Eastern Europe

For decades, Eastern Europe has been experiencing a rising tech boom. Offering a strong STEM education system, niche talent, cultural alignment with Western countries, and cost savings, the region is home to centers of tech giants like Apple and Google, along with plenty of startups. When you want to stay ahead of the competition, you shouldn’t overlook Eastern Europe as a source of top tech talent.

Now a powerhouse, companies around the world seek out software engineers from the region. Offering benefits to both European and US-based businesses alike, there are numerous reasons to hire developers in Eastern Europe. 

Defining the Countries in Eastern Europe

First, let’s define which countries make up Eastern Europe. According to the United Nations, Eastern Europe includes the following countries:  Belarus, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Ukraine, and the western part of the Russian Federation.

These countries have similarities beyond their location. Their histories, cultures, and personalities share some common ancestry:

1. Slavic Roots: Most of the countries in the region have Slavic roots, which have influenced their languages, customs, and traditions. Slavic languages, such as Polish, Czech, Slovak, Ukrainian, and Belarusian, are the official languages in these countries.
2. Post-Communist Transition: Following the fall of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, many Eastern European countries underwent significant political and economic transitions from socialist and communist systems to market-oriented economies and democratic governments.
3. Rich Cultural Heritage: Eastern Europe is known for its diverse and rich cultural heritage, including traditional music, dance, arts, and folklore. Folk festivals, religious celebrations, and local customs are deeply ingrained in the region’s identity.
4. Strong Emphasis on Education: Education has historically been highly valued in Eastern European societies, leading to well-educated populations and a focus on technical and scientific disciplines.
5. Agricultural Tradition: Agriculture has played a significant role in the economies of several Eastern European countries, and traditional farming practices and rural communities are still important parts of their cultures.

Key Attributes of Eastern European Developers

Eastern European developers bring many desirable qualities to U.S. and European businesses. For example, they are highly skilled, tend to be proficient in English, and typically cost significantly less than U.S. or Western European engineers.  

Let’s explore each of those qualities in greater detail.

Eastern Europe has an abundance of highly skilled developers.

Eastern Europe boasts a large pool of highly skilled and well-educated developers. The region has a strong emphasis on STEM education and produces a steady stream of talented programmers, engineers, and IT specialists. These developers are known for their proficiency in diverse programming languages and frameworks, making them ideal candidates for tackling complex software projects with ease.
Here at Terminal, we help you hire full-time and contract engineers from three Eastern European hotspots:  Poland, Hungary, and Romania. We review developer availability through a metric we call CPOR: Candidates Per Open Role. Our Eastern European countries have significantly more candidates available per open role than the U.S.—in some cases, over seven times as many candidates!

Eastern European developers have high levels of English proficiency.

International development teams usually communicate in English. As you build your global teams, ensure your teams can communicate well. Eastern European countries have populations with some of the highest English proficiency in the world. 

English proficiency is a particular strength in the Eastern European countries where Terminal operates. Romania, Poland, and Hungary rank 12th, 15th, and 17th, respectively, in countries around the world for English proficiency.

Enjoy cost savings associated with hiring developers in Eastern Europe.

Every business is looking to find ways to accelerate development while saving money. Eastern Europe provides a great way to unlock top talent that’s less expensive than hiring domestically.  On average, you can save 40 to 60% hiring in Eastern European countries vs. in the U.S. At the extreme end, Romanian engineers are hired at roughly a fifth of the cost of a U.S. engineer at the same skill level. That means you have more money for other business ventures. 

Learn more about global software engineer salaries.

Time zones are aligned with the U.K.

Hiring a developer in Eastern Europe is advantageous from a time zone perspective for companies in the U.K. due to the overlapping working hours between the two regions. Eastern European countries, such as Poland, Romania, and Ukraine, are typically 1 to 2 hours ahead of the U.K. time zone (GMT/BST). This ensures tight collaboration with your product delivery teams and faster development cycles.

Developers in Eastern Europe: Big Talent, Manageable Costs

Unlocking innovation is a critical aspect of business growth and success in today’s competitive tech landscape. Hiring developers in Eastern Europe offers a wealth of opportunities for businesses seeking top-notch talent, cost-effectiveness, cultural compatibility, and seamless collaboration. With their exceptional skills, adaptability, and passion for technology, Eastern European developers can be the driving force behind your next groundbreaking project. 

Embrace the power of innovation by exploring the vast potential of Eastern Europe’s tech talent pool through Terminal. Skilled full-time and contract developers are a powerful accelerator for your business. Interested in learning more? Talk to us today or start browsing our talent for free!

FAQ

What do developers in Eastern Europe earn?

Developers’ earnings vary widely across Eastern Europe, but they tend to be lower than those in the U.S. For example, the median salary for software developers in Poland is $107,897, while the median salary for developers in Romania is $75,476, according to Terminal’s Remote Software Engineer Salaries tool. Meanwhile, the median salary for developers in the U.S. is $182,500.

What are the top countries in Eastern Europe for software developers?

Poland, Romania, and Ukraine stand out as top countries for software developers in Eastern Europe. Thriving tech hubs and education systems, along with lower costs of living, allow businesses in the US and Western Europe to find top developers at an affordable cost.

Why should I hire developers in Eastern Europe?

You should hire developers in Eastern Europe because these engineers tend to be highly skilled and proficient in English. Plus, costs are typically lower than developer costs in the U.S. or Western Europe.