It’s easy to think of Europe as a well-lit map of interconnected hubs of engineering excellence. After all, the continent is home to the renowned tech hubs of Berlin, Barcelona and Paris, and in the UK, London is a global hub with long-standing excellence in the financial services sector.

But these are big cities. Full of opportunity, culture and ambition, they can also be tiring, not to mention expensive places to live and work.

This is why so many tech professionals are now looking to leave the big super-urban tech hubs for smaller, more up-and-coming tech cities that offer the perfect blend of progression and personal balance. Below we take a look at three places to explore.

Nicosia, Cyprus

You know Cyprus from many different things: sun and sea of ​​course, but have you considered silicon? It turns out that since 2015, the municipality of Nicosia has been striving to transform the city center into a state-of-the-art district of knowledge, research and innovation.

As a result, several projects such as the Creative Industry Quarter and CYENS – an ICT (Information and Communications Technology) Center of Excellence in Research and Innovation, have blossomed. Now companies like Amdocs, Wargaming, 3XC, Bolt, Thomson Reuters, Etoro and Melsoft Games are all there.

It is hardly surprising that tech workers flock to Nicosia and Cyprus. According to reportsCyprus received 119% more immigrants from January-April 2022 than in the same period in 2021. The island has one of the warmest climates (and warmest winters in the EU), with an average daily temperature on the coast around 24 degrees. In addition, the warm season lasts about eight months.

The quality of mobile internet is high and the island has also introduced a digital nomad visa regime, allowing nationals of non-EU and non-EEA countries to temporarily live and work in Cyprus.

Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn is home to one of the world’s highest per capita startup rates. Tallinn has quickly established itself as a tech hub to watch and is home to powerhouses like Skype and newer innovations like Pipedrive, Transferwise and Bolt. The Estonian capital has benefited from attractive tax breaks and education initiatives, and is now home to over 1,000 startups, with many more eyeing the Eastern European city for its relaxed approach to work-life balance.

Hybrid and flexible working is standard for all employees here, while Tallinn’s compact size reduces travel time. The low cost of living ensures a high level of enjoyment. The city is also well connected to global tech hubs, making it a viable option for major tech companies.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

The Dutch capital was recently ranked as the fourth best European “tech city of the future” and remains attractive to tech startups hoping to take advantage of its proximity to London, its global infrastructure and its high-talent pool.

It is home to groundbreaking AI platforms thanks to its ‘living lab’ status and dedicated hubs such as Amsterdam Science Park and Startup Village. The fact that 90% of the population speaks English, while the city is easily accessible from London, Paris, the US and Eastern Europe, makes it even more attractive.

However, it is Amsterdam’s small population, vibrant nightlife and cultural scene that mark it as a city to watch.

If you want to take on a higher level of work-life balance without compromising the opportunities, check out The House of Talent Job Board to find companies hiring in these cities. We’ve selected three tech giants below that are recruiting for numerous outside and partially outside opportunities.

Siemens

With benefits including a generous 6% pension contribution, health insurance, paid tuition for further development and full remote policies for some positions, Siemens is an employer option for those aspiring to become digital nomads. The company is currently seeking software engineering, payroll specialist and business development positions. The company has a base in Amsterdam and more than 300,000 employees worldwide. Discover all external roles here.

Booking.com

Travel disruptor Booking.com continues to expand its workforce. Remote and office based roles exist in software engineering, customer relationship management and engineering management in all European cities including Berlin, Amsterdam and Manchester. Benefits include a generous health and retirement program and a flexible work approach. Browse all available features on Booking.com.

monzo

Online bank Monzo was one of the first app-based banks in the UK and continues to pose a challenge in the Fintech field. Currently being hired for a number of roles, with external options available, there are opportunities for fraud investigation, AML investigation and customer management. Monzo offers employee benefits in health and retirement insurance, as well as further career advancement and an opportunity to make a difference by contributing to open software. Discover all the possibilities at Monzo.

Browse all companies currently working across Europe on The House of Talent Job Board