[BeetleB]

> The salary is less than U.S. but their actual take home pay may be more.

Simply not true. For example, I have a high deductible plan. I pay no premiums, and my max out of pocket is around $5-6K/year.

So that's the max I'd pay per year for medical expenses for the whole family. Throw in a few more thousand for transportation related expenses. Probably shouldn't even do that as the cost to own a car is generally cheaper in the US than Europe (cars are cheaper, and auto related taxes are lower).

What else?

[sebazzz]

Max out of pocket in The Netherlands at least is 385 euro. That's it.

[BeetleB]

I'm not saying the US system is better. Just pointing out that for SW engineers, the delta in health care costs between the US and Europe doesn't account for the much higher delta in salaries.

[skywal_l]

As long as you're healthy.

[BeetleB]

Nope. It's the max - as long as I stay in network.