To be fair there are some tax breaks for working unsocial hours in Germany as well as being able to set off commuting and other job related expenses again dependant on individual circumstances. But it demonstrates there are dramatic differences in taxation across Europe. Germany does not seem particularly attractive either on pay or tax. Pilot's preferential taxation as artists in France is one somewhere in the deep recesses of my memory. The interesting one is retrospective taxation as with Ryanair and perhaps some of our colleagues apparently working tax free in places they are unlikely to retire. If there is a double taxation agreement and evidence of tax paid then fine....if not I would not bet against interesting times when the tax authorities come calling should you return to Europe at some point in the future.