[charlesdm]

Most self employed in Europe have access to similar tax policies. You could think about and approach things differently to attain a similar result.

I live in Belgium with similar high income tax rates to Sweden, but I know quite a few people that I grew up with who have done very well. Better than his story. All mid 30s and all came from nothing. Even as an employee. No excuses, man.

These stories might not be listed in the newspapers, but that does not mean there are none.

[bjornsing]

You know people in Belgium who make $600k a year as employed software engineers? Yea, sure...

In Sweden you can incorporate and work as a consultant. That lets you accumulate capital on the corporate side of the tax barrier so to speak. But the tax authorities can show up at any time, claim that your one man company is “overcapitalized” and force you to pay income taxes on your earnings.

[charlesdm]

You can't just work your way to wealth. You need to reinvest what you make into other assets and let them compound...

That said, I know self employed developers making 150-200k (EUR) gross per year as contractors. But I also know employees that get allocated a few 100k/year in stock options as part of their compensation.

Yes, you do need to be exceptional. And you need to be smart in the choices you make. I thought that was a given, since millions of dollars don't just come falling from the sky.