> What you said that's really interesting to me is that the high tax rate is paid in full by your company and not counted in your salary. Is that true all over Europe, like France for instance? I am always amazed by the really low salaries but if every bit of it is what you actually keep, it's not so bad. I didn't know it worked that way.

It is most certainly not how it works in the UK! However for balance I should say that the employer does pay some tax and pension costs on top of your salary (employers NI and auto-enrollment pension). Whatever the advertised cost, you will be deducted tax and National Insurance by your employer.