profitable? you get 50% tax in most western countries in europe. its nearly impossible to make more than a FAANG-level company with that taxation

True, perhaps I should have said "lucrative". Given how hard it is to hire/fire in Europe, the contracting market is especially healthy was the point.

I would still consider it profitable compared to being a full time employee in Europe. Besides a higher rate, a contractor with his own company can benefit from all kinds of tax advantages a regular employee can't.

I am not sure. At FAANG in europe you can make 200k. you need to make 400keuros (maybe 350k if you really good with tax and deducting costs) but you wont get any day off, sick day, any health insurance (even in europe it helps) , no 401k.

tbh I am not sure it is better money wise. for sure you get the freedom tho but also the stress of finding new customers