[cladopa]

Actually in Spain Social Security is 30 to 40% of what you earn. From the remainder 60% it is up to 50% in IRPF taxes, so you could pay 70% of what you earn.

The trick is that Franco hid the social security tax in the company side so normal people don't see it, but it is there.

Over that there is IBI for your house, there is IVA on anything you buy, and there are central bank inflation taxing anything you own in absolute terms.

[christkv]

Oh don't get me started on the taxes. Just the solidarity tax they added from the younger generation to the pensioners makes my blood boil. How about cutting the top pensions and returning some of the money to the bottom of pile instead. The tax regime is also destroying small independent businesses.

But we have at least the option of additional private coverage and it is not crazy expensive like in the US.

[avadodin]

Europe always overcharging and underdelivering.

I am forever thankful for the Socialism that allowed me to get a degree for $3k, though.

The downside is of course over-enrollment but at least the bartenders didn't come out $50k into debt. I hear it is different now.