[timxpp]

Compared to Silicon Valley (or even the US east coast) Germany as is low-cost country. Developers earn only half the US salary - and can live well with it ("free" (well, tax paid) healthcare, schools, universities,...)

And since a few years, finally a decent immigration policy!

[BvS]

Healthcare isn't actually paid through taxes. We have mandatory insurance and you have to pay a certain percentage of your income so it's pretty cheap if you don't earn that much. Once you earn more you can switch to fixed monthly amounts and if you can't afford it at all the government pays.

Probably better/cheaper than in the US (for most people) but far from perfect.