Not all the ex-socialist block have 3 years maternity leave. Here in Bulgaria it is 9 months and it is payed by the state (from social security fund). Also the taxes are a lot lower. You have medical insurance (cost of having non-payed health care system: 8%) + social insurance (pension, unemployment compensation, maternity leave: 22%). This insurances are calculated on base up to 1000 euro - so your insurance taxes are max 30% of 1000 euro even if you get more than this level. Over the rest of the money you have 20% flat state tax. On every purchase you have 20% VAT.