XuLu
I suggest you get at least one of your facts right before leaping into any thread all-guns-blazing. If you’ve actually seen the UK contract you are referring to, you should have noticed exact parity between the UK rates in pounds, and the so-called Euroland rates. However, you should also know these rates are only applicable to UK contracts, and do not apply to those unfortunates who have recently been shifted (perhaps shafted would be more appropriate) off to Berlin on a new contract.
The rates quoted by ReallyAnnoyed are spot on, so I suspect that the reason he has used the vague terms you referred to, is because he is actually personally involved but doesn’t want to admit to that fact for obvious reasons.
The take-home figures are not right out of any part of his anatomy, as you so crassly put it. They are correct, and due to the fact that since June 2012, anyone working in EU member states now legally has to pay tax and social security in the country where they live and work, not the country where their employer or agency is based. In the case of Germany, this amounts to:
1) Up to 45% of your gross earnings in tax, depending on level of earnings.
2) A further 5.5% of your tax liability in ‘solidarity tax’ to help stabilise the Euro
3) Between 8% and 9% of your gross in church tax, if you admit to being a Christian.
4) Compulsory 15.5% of your gross on health insurance
5) 1.2% of your gross on compulsory long-term care insurance
6) 9.75% of your salary in pension contributions.
The tax/insurance calculation link posted by RA will confirm the above, as will any Google search on the subject.
The guy from Wizz, asked a question, and RA gave him a considered and honest answer, so why guys like you feel the urge to lob a grenade at him for that, is beyond me!