Discover why Eastern Europe is a top destination for remote developers. Learn about average costs, best countries to hire from, and how to choose between freelancers, in-house teams, and outsourcing.
In 2025, hiring remote developers is a competitive advantage. With rising development costs in the US and Western Europe, more companies are turning to Eastern Europe for affordable, high-quality tech talent.
According to Statista, Eastern Europe is home to almost 600 thousands software developers, many of whom work remotely for global startups and enterprises. Besides, the number of Eastern European software developers tends to grow constantly.
In this guide, we’ll explore why remote developers in Eastern Europe are in such high demand, where to find the best talent, how much you can expect to pay, and how to choose the right hiring model. Whether you’re building an MVP or scaling your development team, you’ll also discover why founders and product leaders worldwide trust companies like Empat.
If you're wondering whether hiring remote developers in Eastern Europe is a good idea, the short answer is yes. More and more companies around the world are choosing this region to find skilled, reliable, and affordable web development talent.
Eastern Europe has become a top choice for remote engineering teams thanks to a few key reasons. First, the region has a strong tech education system, meaning many developers have excellent tech skills. Second, many Eastern European developers speak English well and can communicate easily with clients from the US and Western Europe. Third, the time zone works well for real-time collaboration with dedicated teams in Europe and even the US.
Startups, growing businesses, and large tech companies all turn to Eastern Europe to get high-quality work without the high price tag.
In this article, we’ll guide you through everything you need to know:
Hiring developers from Eastern Europe comes with many benefits that make the region stand out globally. First, the talent pool is filled with skilled developers, with many holding strong engineering degrees and technical backgrounds. Most have experience working on international projects and are familiar with popular programming languages like React, Node.js, and Python.
Another key advantage is communication. Developers from this region often speak English fluently and are used to working with teams from the US, UK, and the EU. This makes collaboration smooth and helps avoid misunderstandings during development, especially due to the soft skills of the developers. Their working culture is also similar to that of Western countries, making it easier to build long-term, productive relationships.
One of the main reasons to hire developers for startups from Eastern Europe is the cost. Compared to hiring in the US or Western Europe, developers here offer cost-effective solutions while maintaining excellent value without sacrificing quality. You get access to top-tier skills for a fraction of the price. At the same time, many Eastern European developers are known for being committed and reliable — they care about the success of the project and often stay with teams for the long haul.
Together, these factors — strong tech skills, excellent knowledge in computer science, great communication, dedicated support, cultural fit, and lower costs — make Eastern Europe one of the best places in the world to hire remote developers.
Eastern Europe isn’t just one single software development hub. It’s a region made up of several countries, each with its own strengths when it comes to hiring software developers. Let’s take a closer look at the top countries companies turn to when hiring remote developers in Eastern Europe.
Despite ongoing challenges, Ukraine continues to lead as one of the most popular destinations for software development outsourcing. The country has a well-established IT industry and a deep talent pool of skilled engineers with a proven track record. There are more than 200,000 dedicated developers. Ukrainian freelance developers are known for their resilience, problem-solving mindset, and strong work ethic. From startups to large enterprises, many tech companies rely on Ukrainian teams for everything from MVPs to complex systems.
Poland offers a powerful mix of experience, infrastructure, and stability. With major tech hubs in Warsaw, Kraków, and Wrocław, the country is home to over 400,000 experienced remote software developers, many of whom have worked on international projects for years. Poland’s strong integration with the EU makes it a top pick for enterprise-level work, especially for companies that value a close cultural and legal alignment. Developers here are used to Agile workflows and often work seamlessly on project requirements as extensions of in-house teams, providing effective software development solutions.
Romania has quietly become a go-to country for outsourcing software development for startups, especially for companies that prioritize smooth communication. Romanian developers typically have excellent English proficiency, and the country’s education system is known for producing skilled engineers. It’s also one of the most attractive places in Eastern Europe for startups, thanks to its growing tech scene and government support for innovation. Many companies also appreciate the low turnover rate among Romanian developers, which supports project delivery and long-term collaboration.
If you're looking for cost-effective development without compromising on quality, Serbia is worth considering. The country has a rising tech community, particularly in backend development and AI. Serbian developers are known for being culturally aligned with Western teams, which makes communication and collaboration easy. While not a member of the EU, Serbia maintains strong trade and tech relations with Europe, and many local developers have not only specialized skills in cloud computing but also experience working for international clients.
Bulgaria is especially popular among fintech companies and large enterprises. With a strong track record in outsourcing software development, Bulgarian developers bring both technical skill and business understanding to the table. The country benefits from EU membership, which simplifies legal and data compliance for European clients. Many outsourcing companies in Bulgaria offer full-cycle development, including project management and quality assurance, making it a convenient option for companies seeking end-to-end support.
Each country in Eastern Europe has its own advantages. The right choice depends on what your internal team needs most — whether it's enterprise-level scale, startup agility, deep AI expertise, or budget flexibility. Factors like time zone overlap, communication style, and your ideal team size also play a role. The good news is that no matter which country you choose, you’ll find strong developers who are ready to collaborate remotely, integrate seamlessly, and drive your project forward.
One of the biggest reasons companies choose offshore software development teams in Eastern Europe is the cost advantage. You get high-quality work for much less than you'd pay in the US, UK, or Western Europe without sacrificing skill, reliability, or communication.
Here’s a general breakdown of average monthly salaries in the region:
These numbers can vary depending on the country, developer experience, and tech stack. For example, developers in Poland or the Czech Republic might charge a bit more than those in Serbia or Ukraine, while hiring AI developers typically costs more than general frontend or backend software development.
The hiring model also affects the price. Working with freelancers might seem cheaper upfront, but it usually comes with added overhead like project management and quality control. On the other hand, partnering with a trusted outsourcing company like Empat means you can get flexible team setups — including developers, project managers, and QA engineers — bundled into one transparent package. This setup often helps reduce overall costs and time-to-market.
With the right approach to custom software development, Eastern Europe searching for developers can be a smart investment that gives your business the speed and talent it needs to grow.
When you're looking to build or scale a software development team, choosing the right hiring model is just as important as finding the right talent. Each option — in-house, freelance, or outsourcing — comes with its own pros and cons. The best choice depends on your timeline, budget, and how much involvement you want in daily management.
Freelancers can be a great fit for short-term or one-off tasks. If you need help fixing bugs, updating a feature, or building a small component, hiring a freelance developer might be enough. However, working with freelancers usually means more work for you. You’ll need to manage their time, check the quality of their work, and possibly hire additional people for testing or design. It can quickly become time-consuming, especially if you’re managing multiple freelancers at once.
In-house developers give you full control over the development process. You can build a close-knit team that’s fully aligned with your product goals. But this approach also takes a lot of time and money. You’ll need to handle recruiting, HR paperwork, onboarding, salaries, taxes, office setup (if not remote), and ongoing management. It’s a good option if you already have a strong HR department and long-term funding, but it’s not always the most flexible choice.
Software outsourcing companies offer a middle ground. You get the speed and flexibility of freelancers, combined with the structure and reliability of an in-house team. At Empat, all software developers are carefully vetted and onboarded quickly. You can scale your team up or down based on your needs, and you’ll also get access to project managers, QA specialists, and other roles — all working as part of your extended team. This model works especially well for startup software development, non-tech businesses, and companies that need to launch quickly without building everything from scratch.
In the end, it’s all about finding the right balance between control, cost, and efficiency. If you're looking for a trusted team that can jump into your project fast and grow with you, outsourcing is often the smartest and most scalable solution.
One of the biggest strengths of Eastern European software developers is their versatility in software engineering. Teams in this region work on a wide variety of projects — from fast-moving startup MVPs to large-scale enterprise software.
You can outsource any software development project to Eastern Europe, including:
Eastern European developers are used to working on both small and large projects. They understand the fast pace of early-stage startups, where speed and flexibility matter most, as well as the demands of enterprise systems that require scalability, security, and long-term support.
No matter your industry or product type, chances are there’s a team in Eastern Europe with the skills and experience to bring your idea to life.
If you're thinking about hiring remote developers in Eastern Europe, partnering with the right team can make all the difference. Empat is a trusted outsourcing company that helps startups and tech-driven businesses bring their software ideas to life faster and with less friction.
With a strong network of top-tier talent across Eastern Europe, Empat builds flexible, scalable teams tailored to your specific project. Whether you need a few developers to extend your in-house team or a fully managed product team, Empat offers working models that fit your goals. From staff augmentation to full-stack development, you get the level of involvement and control that works best for your business.
What sets Empat apart is how well they integrate into your workflow. You don’t just get developers — you get a complete setup that can include hiring graphic designers, project managers, QA engineers, and who work together to build and scale your product. Everything is built on a foundation of transparency, clear communication, and proven experience.
Empat has delivered over 300 successful projects across 12 markets, creating valuable insights and supporting clients ranging from early-stage startups to well-known names, including Y Combinator alumni, Forbes 30 Under 30 founders, and Fortune 500 companies. Their track record shows that great results don’t come from code alone — they come from successful collaboration, speed, and shared ownership of success.
Whether you're launching an MVP, scaling your team, or rebuilding legacy software, Empat can help you get there with the right talent and support behind you.
The rise of remote software development services work has opened the doors to global talent, and Eastern Europe has quickly become one of the best regions to find it. Whether you’re launching your first MVP or expanding an existing product, hiring offshore partners in Eastern Europe gives you access to skilled professionals, strong communication, and cost-effective development — all without compromising on quality.
What makes this region stand out isn’t just the tech skills. It’s the cultural compatibility, time zone alignment, and the ability to scale teams quickly with people who truly care about the product they’re building. It’s a smart move for startups and growing companies that need to stay agile and move fast.
A remote-first approach allows you to build better, faster, and more efficiently, and having the right partner by your side makes the journey even smoother. Empat offers the flexibility, experience, and team support to help you tap into the full potential of Eastern European tech talent.
👉 Contact us to learn how our software development company can help you build your next product with a remote team you can trust.
Eastern Europe offers a great mix of technical skill, cost efficiency, knowledge of cutting-edge technologies, and reliable communication. Talented developers in this region are well-educated, speak English fluently, and have successful projects with international clients. Companies choose Eastern Europe to get high-quality development without the high costs often found in Western markets.
Yes, outsourcing software development to Eastern Europe is generally very safe. Many countries in the region have well-developed tech industries and are experienced in working with startups and enterprises from around the world. Most developers follow international data protection standards, and outsourcing partners like Empat provide extra layers of security, structured workflows, and clear contracts.
You can look for developers through freelance platforms, tech communities, or trusted outsourcing companies. For a smoother experience and better results, many companies prefer working with partners like Empat who vet their talent, manage the hiring process, and build teams that fit your exact needs.
Eastern European countries are generally 7–10 hours ahead of the US (EST) and 1–2 hours ahead of Central Europe (CET). This makes real-time collaboration easy for European clients and workable for US-based teams with some schedule overlap. Many developers in the region are flexible and used to adjusting to client time zones.
