Every sector of the European economy now runs on digital infrastructure — and the people who keep it running and secure are in chronic short supply. IT support roles absorb huge volumes of hiring across the continent, while cybersecurity has become one of Europe's most persistent talent gaps, driven by the NIS2 directive, ransomware pressure and cloud migration. The good news for job seekers: these are among the most accessible skilled-tech careers for foreign professionals, with many roles advertised in English and clear certification paths that employers actually respect. This guide maps demand, salaries, certifications and application strategy for 2026.
Where the demand is in 2026
IT support: the volume engine
IT support remains one of the highest-volume tech hiring categories in Europe. Employers hiring right now include:
- Managed service providers (MSPs) in Ireland, the Netherlands and Poland running multilingual service desks for global clients.
- Shared service centres in Poland, Spain and Portugal supporting European headquarters.
- Hospitals, banks and public sector bodies in Germany and France modernising legacy estates.
- Scale-ups and SaaS companies across Amsterdam, Berlin, Dublin and Barcelona hiring customer-facing technical support engineers.
Typical titles: IT Support Specialist, Service Desk Analyst (L1/L2/L3), Technical Support Engineer, Desktop Support Technician, IT Administrator, Field Service Engineer.
Cybersecurity: the premium shortage
Cybersecurity demand is structural, not cyclical. The EU's NIS2 directive forces thousands of mid-size companies to formalise security functions, and most cannot hire fast enough. Hot roles in 2026:
- SOC Analyst (L1/L2) — the entry point; monitoring, triage and incident escalation in security operations centres.
- Penetration Tester / Ethical Hacker — strong demand in the UK-adjacent, Dutch and German consulting markets.
- Security Engineer / DevSecOps — cloud security (AWS, Azure) is the fastest-growing slice.
- GRC Analyst (governance, risk, compliance) — NIS2, DORA and GDPR compliance work; excellent for career switchers with audit or legal backgrounds.
- Incident Responder / Threat Intelligence Analyst — mid-to-senior roles, well paid, concentrated in financial hubs (Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Dublin, Paris).
Browse live openings on our Germany, Netherlands and Ireland country pages, and check the tech jobs category for the latest listings.
Salaries by country: IT support vs cybersecurity
Figures are gross annual ranges for 2026, based on market reports and live listings. Capital cities pay 10–25% above national medians; adjust for local living costs before comparing.
| Country | IT support (L1–L2) | Senior support / sysadmin | SOC analyst | Security engineer / pentester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | €38,000–€50,000 | €55,000–€75,000 | €55,000–€70,000 | €75,000–€110,000 |
| France | €32,000–€42,000 | €45,000–€60,000 | €45,000–€60,000 | €60,000–€95,000 |
| Netherlands | €36,000–€48,000 | €52,000–€70,000 | €52,000–€68,000 | €70,000–€105,000 |
| Ireland | €35,000–€48,000 | €55,000–€75,000 | €55,000–€72,000 | €75,000–€115,000 |
| Spain | €26,000–€36,000 | €40,000–€55,000 | €38,000–€52,000 | €50,000–€80,000 |
| Italy | €28,000–€38,000 | €42,000–€58,000 | €40,000–€55,000 | €55,000–€85,000 |
| Poland | €20,000–€30,000 | €32,000–€50,000 | €30,000–€48,000 | €45,000–€80,000 |
Note the pattern: cybersecurity roles pay roughly 40–80% more than general IT support at the same seniority — the premium for the skill gap. Senior security engineers in Amsterdam, Dublin or Frankfurt can clear €100,000, and contractors more. Compare these figures with our Germany salary guide and Netherlands salary guide for context.
Certifications employers actually care about
In IT support and security, certifications are not decoration — European hiring managers use them as screening filters. Prioritise in this order:
IT support track
- CompTIA A+ — the baseline for service-desk roles; recognised everywhere in Europe.
- CompTIA Network+ — networking fundamentals; pairs with A+ for L2 roles.
- Microsoft 365 / Azure fundamentals (SC-900, AZ-900) — most European enterprises are Microsoft shops; these open doors.
- ITIL 4 Foundation — service-management language that MSPs and large enterprises expect.
- CCNA — for network-leaning support and infrastructure roles.
Cybersecurity track
- CompTIA Security+ — the standard entry ticket for SOC analyst roles; often listed as required.
- CompTIA CySA+ — the natural step up for blue-team analyst work.
- CISSP — the senior gold standard for security management and architecture roles; needs 5 years' experience (or 4 with a degree).
- CISM — for security management and GRC leadership; valued in banking and insurance.
- CEH / OSCP — for offensive security; OSCP in particular carries real weight with pentest employers.
- Cloud security certs (AWS Security Specialty, Azure SC-100) — increasingly the differentiator as estates move to cloud.
Practical tip: one respected certification plus demonstrable hands-on skill (a home lab, a GitHub with scripts, CTF write-ups) beats three paper-only certificates. European interviewers probe for what you can do. If you are funding your own study, start with the cheapest high-signal option — Security+ or A+ — and let your first employer's training budget pay for the expensive ones like CISSP or CISM. Many large European employers allocate €1,500–€5,000 per year for certifications, so ask about the training budget during salary talks; it is often easier to win than a higher base.
English-speaking roles: where language is not a barrier
IT is the most English-friendly profession in continental Europe. Your best bets for working entirely in English:
- Ireland — native English; Dublin and Cork host the EMEA HQs of most global tech firms.
- Netherlands — Amsterdam's tech scene operates in English; the 30% ruling boosts net pay for incoming talent.
- Multilingual service desks in Poland and Spain — English plus one other language is a hiring advantage, and pure-English desks exist.
- Berlin, Munich, Hamburg — international teams in Germany work in English, though daily life needs German; see our Germany guide.
- Remote-first EU companies — many hire across borders; our remote jobs guide covers the practicalities.
For a broader picture of language-friendly work, read English-speaking jobs in Europe 2026.
How to break in: a practical roadmap
- Pick your lane. Support or security? Support is faster to enter (A+ can be done in 2–3 months of study); security pays more but needs Security+ plus lab work. GRC is the smart lane for career changers from audit, law or compliance.
- Build proof, not just paper. Set up a home lab (virtual machines, a SIEM like Wazuh or Splunk Free, TryHackMe rooms), document it, and link it from your CV. For support roles, volunteer or freelance tickets count as experience.
- Format your CV the European way. Two pages, photo optional (expected in Germany, unusual in Ireland/Netherlands), skills and certifications up top. Follow our European CV guide exactly.
- Target the right employers. MSPs and shared service centres hire support staff in volume and sponsor visas routinely; banks, consultancies and critical-infrastructure operators hire security staff and pay for clearances. Specialist recruitment agencies are worth registering with — many security roles are filled through them.
- Prepare for practical interviews. Support interviews include troubleshooting scenarios; security interviews include live analysis exercises. Our interview tips for seven countries help with the cultural side.
- Sort the visa early. Salaries for these roles typically clear work-permit thresholds in most countries — check whether the EU Blue Card or a national visa fits your offer, and start paperwork the day the contract is signed.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get an IT support job in Europe without a degree?
Yes — support is one of the most degree-flexible tech careers. CompTIA A+, demonstrable troubleshooting skill and good English get interviews; many employers value experience over diplomas. For visa purposes, though, some permits prefer degrees — check the permit rules for your target country.
Is cybersecurity too competitive for newcomers?
Entry-level SOC roles are competitive, but the shortage is real and employers hire career changers with Security+ and lab proof. GRC and cloud security are less crowded entry points than pentesting.
Do I need the local language?
For pure-English international teams, no. For support roles serving local users (hospitals, public sector, SMEs), yes — B1/B2 in the local language is often required. Cybersecurity consulting with local clients also rewards local language skills.
Contract or permanent — which is better?
Contracting pays 30–60% more in markets like the Netherlands, Germany and Ireland, and security contractors are in constant demand. But contracts mean handling your own taxes and insurance, and visa sponsorship is simpler on permanent roles. Read our contracts and notice periods guide before signing anything.
Keep exploring
Compare tech pay with our best cities for tech jobs ranking, sharpen your applications with the LinkedIn optimisation guide, and when you are ready to move, work through the relocation checklist.