De kracht van data mapping in de gezondheidszorg: voordelen, use cases & toekomstige trends. Naarmate de gezondheidszorg en de ondersteunende technologieën zich snel uitbreiden, wordt een immense hoeveelheid gegevens en informatie gegenereerd. Statistieken tonen aan dat ongeveer 30% van het wereldwijde datavolume wordt toegeschreven aan de gezondheidszorg, met een verwachte groei van bijna 36% tegen 2025. Dit geeft aan dat de groeisnelheid veel hoger is dan die van andere industrieën zoals productie, financiële diensten en media en entertainment.

An actionable guide to IT nearshoring in Europe

Jun 4, 2025 5 min lezen

When you are fighting rising development costs, talent shortages, and tighter launch windows, hiring locally becomes unsustainable. Projects slow down. Product roadmaps slip. Technical debt creeps in.

The logic is simple: you still want quality code, collaborative teams, and working hours that overlap with your core markets. Nearshoring to Europe offers a practical way out — not a magic bullet, but a real, proven strategy.

In this guide, you’ll find out which European regions consistently produce top-tier tech talent and how to evaluate nearshoring partners.

Why companies nearshore software development to Europe

Een hoge standaard van uitmuntendheid

European developers are known for delivering production-ready code, not just flashy demos. Thanks to strong STEM education systems and participation in global coding competitions, engineers across Poland, Romania, Portugal, and other countries have earned reputations for clean architectures, scalable systems, and practical problem-solving.

Gemak van samenwerking

Technical skills are critical, but collaboration efficiency is what often separates good partnerships from great ones. European nearshore teams operate in similar time zones. This overlap allows for real-time conversations, daily syncs, faster decision-making, and rapid pivots when priorities shift. There’s also something underrated about working with people who speak fluent English and get your business culture. When teams share similar values, working styles, and humor (yes, even that matters), everything flows better — from writing specs to solving unexpected issues.

Betere schaalbaarheid

Nearshore hubs across Europe offer structured, dependable ecosystems with access to deep pools of skilled engineers, DevOps specialists, QA testers, UX designers, and project managers. Even better, many vendors have established relationships with top universities, training pipelines, and local tech communities. This steady flow of new talent reduces risks around team turnover and future hiring needs — giving companies room to expand without massive new recruiting investments.

Redelijke kosten per uur

Nearshoring isn’t about chasing the lowest bidder; it’s about maximizing the value of every dollar or euro spent. Across Europe, nearshore partners typically offer senior-level engineering expertise at rates between $40 and $70 per hour, depending on location, role, and tech stack. Every hour worked by a high-caliber team compounds its value over time — something CFOs and CTOs often notice after the first full project cycle.

Struggling to hire the right talent?

Best countries for nearshoring in Europe

Choosing a nearshoring destination is about finding the sweet spot where talent, communication, speed, and resilience meet — because if even one piece is missing, the costs will catch up to you later.

Here are three standout destinations for nearshore software development in Europe:

Polen

  • Poland is an EU member. Poland follows EU labor, business, and data protection laws (including GDPR). This simplifies legal compliance and makes nearshoring partnerships smoother for European and US companies alike.
  • Poland has a comfortable time zone. There is no time difference between Poland and countries like Germany or Austria. This makes real-time collaboration easy for companies across Western and Central Europe.
  • Poland’s IT sector is growing fast. Eastern Europe’s IT outsourcing market is growing at 18% annually, expected to hit $5.94B by 2027. Poland is one of the top contributors, alongside Romania.
  • Polish developers are highly skilled. The country has over 91,000 developers, many of whom excel in Java, .NET, Python, React, and Angular. Polish engineers are known for strong technical and problem-solving skills.
  • Tech education in Poland is strong. Cities like Warsaw, Kraków, and Wrocław are hubs for tech talent, supported by more than 350 universities that consistently produce skilled ICT graduates.
  • Poland ranks high in English proficiency. In 2024, Poland ranked 15th out of 111 in the EF English Proficiency Index — ideal for smooth collaboration.
  • The IT infrastructure is reliable. Poland makes remote work easy. It offers fast, stable internet with median fixed broadband speeds of 103 Mbps. The country also ranks high in digital transformation, making it a future-ready tech partner.
  • Poland offers a stable and business-friendly environment. On the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index, Poland ranks 40th globally. The country’s legal and business systems are stable, with minimal red tape for EU partners.
  • Rates are competitive. In terms of cost, Polish developers offer competitive rates. According to Jobicy, the average hourly rate for software developers in Poland ranges from $27.54 to $37.26.

Romania

  • The local tech ecosystem is vibrant. Romania has over 7,900 IT companies, 1,600+ startups, and more than 100 incubators and accelerators, with strong activity in fintech, media, gaming, and software services. The country is home to 3 unicorns (UiPath, eMAG, and MultiverseX), highlighting its status as a leader in technology development.
  • Romania complies with GDPR and EU trade laws, creating a legally secure environment for long-term nearshoring partnerships with European and US companies.
  • Romania shares a favorable time zone with Europe. Located in Eastern European Time (EET), Romania overlaps well with most EU countries, enabling real-time communication and efficient project coordination.
  • Romania’s IT sector is growing steadily. With an 86% surge in foreign-funded projects, the country has secured a spot among Europe’s top 15 places to invest.
  • Romania has a large, skilled IT workforce. As of 2024, Romania is home to over 202,000 certified software engineers, with strengths in Java, Python, JavaScript, and modern frontend frameworks.
  • English is widely spoken in the tech sector. Romania currently ranks 12th in the world for English proficiency, making global teamwork easy.
  • Developer rates are cost-effective. Software development rates typically range between $21.62 and $40 per hour, offering excellent value for companies looking to balance cost with strong technical delivery.

Portugal

Portugal wasn’t on most nearshoring radars a few years ago, now it’s one of Europe’s rising stars.

  • Portugal is an EU member. As part of the EU, Portugal adheres to GDPR and strict data protection laws, making it a secure, regulation-aligned option for nearshoring across industries.
  • Portugal shares a convenient time zone with Western Europe. With minimal time difference from the UK and Western Europe, Portugal enables real-time collaboration during core business hours.
  • Portugal’s tech scene is booming. Lisbon and Porto have rapidly evolved into top tech hubs, attracting both startups and global R&D centers. Government-backed programs like Startup Portugal and Indústria 4.0 support steady sector growth.
  • Portuguese developers are sharp and diverse in skill. Portugal’s IT workforce includes around 130,000 IT professionals skilled in Python, JavaScript, Ruby, and machine learning, so they’re well-equipped for modern product development.
  • English proficiency is among the best in Europe. Portugal ranks 6th globally in the EF English Proficiency Index, ensuring clear communication and fewer cultural or linguistic barriers when working with international teams.
  • Internet speeds support smooth collaboration. With a national average of 135.11 Mbps, Portugal offers high-speed, stable internet which is key for productive remote work and reliable cloud-based infrastructure.
  • The business climate is highly supportive. Portugal’s strong legal systems, transparent policies, and access to EU markets make it a strategic, low-risk choice for international companies building long-term delivery hubs. Ranked 6th in the Global Peace Index, Portugal stands out for safety and political neutrality — two factors that lower operational and reputational risk in long-term partnerships.
  • Senior developer rates range between $27.50 and $37.21 per hour.

How to choose an IT nearshoring partner

Choosing a nearshoring partner sounds simple — until you’re knee-deep in proposals that all look the same.

Here’s how we (and most experienced tech leaders I know) approach it.

Start with real experience, not just price tags

Sure, rates matter. But what you really want is a team that’s shipped actual products, handled real deadlines, and worked through real chaos. Ask for case studies. Look for proof they’ve solved challenges like yours.

Dig into team structure and culture

One senior dev and five juniors isn’t a “senior team” (trust me, I’ve seen that one too many times). You need to know: who’s actually doing the work? Who’s reviewing the code? How do they handle feedback, bugs, and scope changes? And cultural alignment matters more than people think. It fosters better teamwork, shared values, and fewer misunderstandings.

Check technical depth without getting lost in buzzwords

You don’t need a team that can name every framework under the sun. You need one that can pick the right tool for the job — and explain why in plain language. Good partners won’t overwhelm you with tech jargon. They’ll translate it into business impact without blinking.

Validate operational maturity

Ask: How do they handle onboarding? What’s their process for knowledge transfer? How do they deal with timezone overlaps or urgent fixes? A mature nearshoring partner will already have solid answers (not vague promises).

And last — don’t ignore compliance and security

Especially now, with GDPR tightening and the AI Act in full swing. Make sure they’re treating security like an integral part of delivery, not an afterthought they scramble to patch.

Risks to consider before nearshoring software development to Europe

As someone who’s advised tech companies on European expansion for over a decade, I’ve seen the starry-eyed optimism of CTOs crumble when confronted with reality. European nearshoring isn’t the magic bullet many executives imagine. The talent is real, but so are the headaches. Strict labor laws mean you can’t simply scale down teams when projects end — in countries like France or Spain, terminating employees can take months and cost a fortune in severance. Fiscale complexiteit is another landmine. Each country has its own byzantine system, and the rules change constantly.

Then there’s the data sovereignty elephant in the room. GDPR might be old news, but its implementation varies wildly between EU member states.

Finally, security goes beyond basic compliance. If a provider cuts corners on infrastructure, access management, or data handling, you won’t just risk downtime — you could face real regulatory penalties too.

Worried about hidden risks when scaling your tech team abroad?

IT nearshoring in Europe: top trends

If you still think of nearshoring as just “outsourcing, but closer,” you’re not seeing the full picture. What began as a cost-effective way to extend engineering capacity has evolved into a model for building better products, scaling smarter, and shipping faster.

First, AI is no longer an add-on for innovation theater. It’s part of the delivery engine. Nearshore teams are using it to automate code reviews, generate test cases, optimize workflows, and yes, even help with business logic. The goal? Ship faster, spend less time on repetitive tasks, and free up human skills for the work that needs them.

Security and compliance are still non-negotiables.
In fact, they’ve become a kind of filter. If a provider can’t show you how they handle GDPR, ISO, and sensitive data workflows, they’re not ready. The upside of staying within Europe is that you’re working inside a shared legal framework.

DevOps and cloud have become a baseline standard. You’re expected to work with teams who can build, deploy, and scale in the cloud without blinking. Kubernetes, CI/CD pipelines, Terraform — these aren’t buzzwords, they’re the air your product breathes.

Sustainability is a central business practice now, rather than a feel-good buzzword. Nearshore providers are tracking cloud-compute carbon footprints, optimizing data-center usage, and even offering “green DevOps” services.

Last but definitely not least. Eastern and Central Europe are no longer just places to find affordable tech talent. Cities like Warsaw, Lisbon, and Budapest have transformed into vibrant innovation ecosystems, packed with startups, R&D labs, and AI centers. When you hire a nearshore team today, you’re not just filling roles — you’re plugging into an entire tech community.

So yeah, nearshoring used to be about getting things done cheaper. But now it’s about getting the right work done — faster, smarter, and with people who are fully invested in your success.

Hoe kan Innowise helpen met nearshore software ontwikkeling?

Let’s be honest: when you’re looking to outsource IT services, there’s no shortage of companies. Plenty will offer a standard package and call it a day — quick handoff, done deal.
But if you care about where your project ends up, you need more than that.

At Innowise, we’ve spent over 18 years helping businesses turn ideas into working solutions. We’ve delivered more than 1300 successful projects, built a team of 2500+ IT professionals, and earned the trust of clients who keep coming back — with a 93% recurring customer rate to show for it.

We know trusting an outsourcing partner isn’t just about technical skills — it’s about knowing your project is in good hands from day one.

If you’re looking for a partner who will help your business grow faster and move smarter, let’s connect.

Innowise softwareontwikkelingsproces

FAQ

Waarin verschilt nearshoring van offshoring in de context van IT-diensten?

Nearshoring means outsourcing IT work to a nearby country, usually in the same or a close time zone. Offshoring sends it much further, often across the world. From what I’ve seen, nearshoring makes life easier when it comes to real-time collaboration and keeping projects on track. You’re not waking up to surprises or waiting a day for answers. Sure, offshoring might look cheaper on paper. But the hidden cons, like time zone clashes, communication breakdowns, and missed deadlines, tend to pile up fast. If you’re after smoother teamwork and fewer headaches, staying closer to home usually pays off.

Nearshoring gives you faster feedback loops, easier real-time collaboration, and fewer cultural headaches. You work in the same or close time zones, so problems get solved faster. Plus, you cut costs without losing control. It’s a smarter way to scale when you want speed, quality, and alignment — not endless delays or lost context.

Eastern Europe is where you’ll find deep tech talent and more flexible pricing. It’s a smart move if you’re ready to invest a little extra effort into managing communication and processes. Western Europe feels more familiar — closer business culture, tighter legal standards — but expect to pay for that comfort.

If your project needs tight compliance and a lot of stakeholder visibility, Western Europe will save you time. If you’re scaling fast or building complex tech under real budget pressure, Eastern Europe gives you more room to move without cutting corners.

Deel:

Inhoudsopgave

Contacteer ons

Boek een gesprek of vul het onderstaande formulier in en we nemen contact met je op zodra we je aanvraag hebben verwerkt.

    Stuur ons een spraakbericht
    Documenten bijvoegen
    Bestand uploaden

    Je kunt 1 bestand van maximaal 2 MB bijvoegen. Geldige bestandsformaten: pdf, jpg, jpeg, png.

    Door op Verzenden te klikken, stemt u ermee in dat Innowise uw persoonsgegevens verwerkt volgens onze Privacybeleid om u van relevante informatie te voorzien. Door je telefoonnummer op te geven, ga je ermee akkoord dat we contact met je opnemen via telefoongesprekken, sms en messaging-apps. Bellen, berichten en datatarieven kunnen van toepassing zijn.

    U kunt ons ook uw verzoek sturen
    naar contact@innowise.com

    Waarom Innowise?

    2000+

    IT-professionals

    93%

    terugkerende klanten

    18+

    jarenlange expertise

    1300+

    succesvolle projecten

    Спасибо!

    Cобщение отправлено.
    Мы обработаем ваш запрос и свяжемся с вами в кратчайшие сроки.

    Bedankt.

    Uw bericht is verzonden.
    Wij verwerken uw aanvraag en nemen zo spoedig mogelijk contact met u op.

    Bedankt.

    Uw bericht is verzonden. 

    We verwerken je aanvraag en nemen zo snel mogelijk contact met je op.

    pijl