Europe’s Finance Market in 2026

Germany’s Salaries remain flat – yet surprisingly competitive

New analysis highlights significant remuneration differences and rising demands on finance professionals

Europe’s finance talent market presents a complex picture in 2026. While demand for finance professionals remains high across all major markets, salary levels differ substantially. CFO roles in Germany and Switzerland remain among the best‑paid positions in Europe, while Finance Directors in Germany, France and Switzerland earn at similarly strong levels. At specialist level, Senior (Group) Accountants in Germany and France are compensated at near-identical ranges, whereas Financial Controllers achieve notably higher salary levels in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and particularly Switzerland. These variations reflect how differently European employers respond to talent shortages, digital transformation and regulatory pressures.

Germany: Strong Demand, Stable Salaries and Notable Differences in Net Income

Germany continues to experience robust demand for CFOs, Finance Directors, Controllers and specialists in tax, risk and compliance. Professionals with skills in automation, process optimisation and data analytics are likewise highly sought after.

Despite persistent demand, salaries in 2026 remain largely stable. CFOs are among the highest‑paid finance leaders in Europe, earning between €170,000 and €350,000 annually. Finance Directors typically earn €130,000 to €220,000, placing them firmly in the upper range of European benchmarks. At specialist level, Senior (Group) Accountants earn between €75,000 and €105,000 – similar to France, while Financial Controllers in Germany, with salaries of around €80,000 to €115,000, tend to earn slightly less than peers in the Netherlands, the UK or Switzerland, where this role is compensated at significantly higher levels.

“We are seeing that despite strong demand, salaries in Germany are rising only moderately. Gross compensation remains attractive in a European comparison – but the country’s high tax and social contributions substantially reduce the net advantage,” says Hande Bostan‑Caruso, Associate Director, Robert Walters Frankfurt.

Variable pay structures in Germany remain moderate, while long‑term benefits such as pension schemes, company cars and flexible working arrangements play a key role. Openness towards international talent continues to grow, fuelled by an increasing number of English‑speaking roles and rising demand for specialised expertise.

Netherlands: Renewed Hiring Momentum and Shifts in the Talent Market

Following a calmer period in the previous year, the Dutch permanent recruitment market is gaining momentum. CFO salaries have risen by approximately 5–6%, reaching even higher growth in defence and AI‑related industries. Salaries for Controllers and Accountants remain stable.
Regulatory changes in the interim market are leading more finance professionals to consider permanent roles, increasing overall candidate availability for employers.

France: Stable Base Salaries, Rising Variable Components

France remains a strong but selective market. Demand is particularly high for CFOs and Finance Directors with experience in transformation and restructuring. Base salaries have remained stable, while variable pay and equity components continue to rise—especially in private‑equity‑owned businesses. Paris remains the most competitive location, with salaries typically 10–20% above regional levels.

United Kingdom: Dynamic Market with Strong Emphasis on Qualifications

In the UK, demand is growing notably in the £60,000 to £100,000 salary bracket. CFO base salaries have softened slightly but are offset by attractive share options and long‑term incentives. Professional qualifications such as ACA, CIMA or ACCA continue to play a key role in career progression and salary development. London remains one of Europe’s most dynamic finance hubs.

Switzerland: Highest Salary Levels in Europe

Switzerland continues to offer Europe’s highest remuneration levels, particularly for Controllers, Senior Accountants with IFRS/US GAAP expertise, and specialists in tax, treasury or finance business partnering. After several years of substantial increases, salary levels have stabilised. Employers are, however, becoming more selective when hiring internationally, focusing on specialised profiles or senior‑level appointments.

European Outlook: Diverging Markets, Shared Challenges

Across Europe, digital transformation, regulatory change and the need for strategic finance leadership shape salary trends and job profiles. Germany remains a strong market with solid gross salary levels, while France and the Netherlands are increasingly driven by variable compensation. The UK places greater emphasis on formal qualifications, and Switzerland continues to lead with premium remuneration structures and high demand for specialised talent.

For employers, these developments underscore the importance of continuously adapting talent strategies to remain competitive in attracting and retaining finance professionals across diverse markets.

All salary data, including detailed functional and regional overviews, can be found in the complete Robert Walters Salary Survey 2026.

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