The €15,000 Difference: Why Berlin Is Winning the NIS2 Salary War (And How Paris Fights Back)

Comparison of Berlin and Paris illustrating the NIS2-driven cybersecurity salary gap and regulatory competition between Germany and France.

Across Europe’s cybersecurity market, one salary question keeps resurfacing in 2026: why does Berlin appear to be pulling ahead of Paris for NIS2-driven roles—despite France’s reputation for tougher regulation? At first glance, the answer seems simple. German companies advertise higher gross salaries. Berlin has more open roles. Recruiters push the narrative that Germany is “winning” … Read more