Bengaluru couple Prateek Gupta and Neha Maheshwari made a bold decision in 2020 when they left behind their busy lives in Bengaluru and settled in Luxembourg, one of the world’s smallest countries. Prateek, who works as a senior analyst at Amazon, and Neha, a finance manager for a German real estate firm, knew that staying in India could have brought them larger salary increments. Moving to the United States or Dubai might have also boosted their earnings. However, their desire to embrace a better quality of life in Europe drove them to take the plunge.
Bengaluru Couple Traded High Salaries for a Better Life (toptrendshub.com)
In a candid conversation with Live Mint, the couple opened up about their experiences in Luxembourg. Prateek acknowledged that while staying in India or moving to the US would have given them more career growth and financial benefits, they were craving a lifestyle change that Europe could provide. The opportunity to enjoy a superior quality of life outweighed the financial advantages of other locations.
Although Luxembourg’s tax rates are relatively high, with the couple paying around 28 percent of their income in taxes, they feel it’s a fair trade-off. Not only is this tax rate slightly lower than in India, but the services and benefits that Luxembourg offers in return make the difference more than manageable. The couple contributes two percent of their income to the country’s unemployment fund, something they appreciate as part of the social safety net.
Better Quality of Life and Lower Taxes
One of the perks they enjoy most is the affordability of European luxuries. They now have access to affordable holidays across Europe and own a Mercedes Benz A-Class, which cost them around €43,000. When adjusted for Purchasing Power Parity (PPP), this comes to about ₹10.3 lakh—a sharp contrast to the ₹55 lakh price tag the same car would have in Bengaluru. This comparison reflects how far their money can stretch in Luxembourg, giving them access to luxuries that might be out of reach back home.
For Prateek and Neha, the Bengaluru couple decision to trade in higher salaries for a richer life experience in Europe has proven worthwhile. The Bengaluru couple continues to embrace their new life in Luxembourg, savoring both the challenges and the advantages that come with living in a different corner of the world.
What Led This Bengaluru Couple to Relocate
In 2020, Prateek Gupta and Neha Maheshwari the Bengaluru couple made a bold choice. They left behind the fast-paced lifestyle of Bengaluru and moved to Luxembourg, one of the world’s smallest countries. Prateek, a senior analyst at Amazon, and Neha, a finance manager for a German real estate firm, recognized that staying in India could have led to bigger salary increments. They also realized that moving to the United States or Dubai might have increased their earnings. However, their strong desire for a better quality of life in Europe ultimately drove them to make this significant move.
During a candid conversation with Live Mint, the Bengaluru couple shared their experiences of living in Luxembourg. Prateek openly expressed that while remaining in India or relocating to the US could have brought more career growth and financial perks, they were eager to embrace the lifestyle changes that Europe offered. The chance to enjoy a higher quality of life became more appealing than the potential financial gains from other places.
Even though Luxembourg’s tax rates hover around 28 percent of their income, Prateek and Neha find this to be a reasonable trade-off. Not only do they benefit from slightly lower taxes compared to India, but they also appreciate the extensive services that Luxembourg provides in exchange. The couple contributes two percent of their income to the country’s unemployment fund, which they view as a valuable part of the social security system.
World’s Tiniest Nations
One of the biggest advantages of their new life in Luxembourg is the affordability of European luxuries. They can now enjoy budget-friendly holidays across Europe and have even purchased a Mercedes Benz A-Class for around €43,000. When adjusted for Purchasing Power Parity (PPP), this comes out to approximately ₹10.3 lakh, which is a striking difference from the ₹55 lakh they would have spent on the same car in Bengaluru. This comparison highlights just how much more their money can stretch in Luxembourg, allowing them to indulge in luxuries that would have been far more costly back home.
For Prateek and Neha, the Bengaluru couple, choosing to prioritize a richer life experience in Europe over higher salaries elsewhere has proven to be a rewarding decision. They continue to embrace their new life in Luxembourg, navigating both the challenges and the perks that come with living in a different part of the world.
Bengaluru Couple Chooses Luxembourg
In 2020, Prateek Gupta and Neha Maheshwari made a significant life change by moving from Bengaluru to the small European country of Luxembourg. They left behind higher salaries to pursue a better quality of life. In a conversation with Live Mint, the Bengaluru couple shared insights into the benefits and drawbacks of living in Europe compared to India.
Career Moves and Life Choices
Prateek works as a senior analyst at Amazon, while Neha is a finance manager for a German real estate company. They acknowledged that staying in India could have brought them larger salary increments. Additionally, moving to the United States or Dubai would have likely increased their earnings. However, the couple felt drawn to Europe, where they believed a better quality of life awaited them. Prateek explained that many working-class Indians don’t move to Europe for financial gains, as they could easily earn 1.5 to 2 times more in the US or Dubai, along with higher net savings.
The Perks of Lower Taxes and Better Services
One of the key advantages Prateek and Neha the Bengaluru couple enjoy in Luxembourg is the lower tax burden. They pay about 28% of their income in taxes, which is 2-3% less than what they would pay in India. Despite the relatively high tax rate, the couple feels that the wide range of services they receive in return makes it worth the trade-off. Additionally, they must contribute 3% of their income towards government-sponsored health insurance, which covers all healthcare costs except dental care. This ensures that they are covered for most medical expenses without worrying about additional out-of-pocket costs.
Luxembourg’s unemployment fund is another feature the Bengaluru couple appreciates. Both Prateek and Neha contribute 2% of their income to this fund. If someone loses their job, the government steps in to pay 80% of their last drawn salary for up to two years or until they find another job. Neha pointed out that with 5% of their annual income going towards healthcare and unemployment insurance, they are covered for two major emergencies without needing to build a separate emergency fund.
Luxuries and Travel Made Affordable
Beyond the financial security, Prateek and Neha are enjoying the luxuries that come with their new life in Luxembourg. They find European holidays more affordable and can indulge in luxury cars without the steep price tags found in India. For example, they own a Mercedes Benz A-Class, which cost them around €43,000.
When adjusted for Purchasing Power Parity (PPP), this amounts to approximately ₹10.3 lakh. In contrast, the same car in Bengaluru would cost around ₹55 lakh. Prateek admitted that he wouldn’t have easily bought a luxury car priced over ₹50 lakh in India, but in Luxembourg, such purchases are more affordable due to the favorable income-to-expense ratio.
The Bengaluru couple also appreciates that traveling within Europe is much cheaper. Since they spend in the same currency they earn in, their money stretches further. Moreover, the proximity of different European countries allows them to travel by simply driving, making holidays more frequent and affordable.
In the end, Prateek and Neha have found that moving to Luxembourg has given them a richer life experience, filled with the perks of European living while still enjoying the financial security they desired. Bengaluru couple
