Probably more to do with the salary expectations in Denmark.

Most of Europe is for a multitude of reasons still expecting to treat software as a cost centre.

The expectation of an IC making as much as a Director of <insert corporate department> is unthinkable to HR, even though the market worldwide is shifting exactly in that direction.

Don't know about Denmark, but I can confirm for Germany. I think the main reason is that in contrast to e.g. the US, software people don't innovate that much, the economy is not geared toward companies that have unlimited potential, and where having good software developers is a difference in billions if not trillions. Therefore they are valued a lot less. Would love to hear what you think the reasons are.

I work for a German company from an Anglo country that pays software engineers well, so they have to pay market rates here.

I was embarrassed to find out I was being paid more than my more senior colleague from Germany, not even taking tax into account yet.

He could double his net total comp simply by moving here and doing the same role as he does now.

The reason is huge taxes. Earning 90k eur in Copenhagen nets you just 47k!!!

You'd have to be pretty senior in Copenhagen to earn 90,000 euros, no? As in, staff/principal engineer level?

Not really. Senior developer (C#).