For more than two decades, IT outsourcing in Eastern Europe has been one of the most sought-after choices. And that’s because it puts on the table what every corporate decision-maker dreams of: skyrocketing tech talent at low prices.
With more than 1.75 million active software developers, nearly 600,000 of them in Romania, Poland, and Ukraine alone (source: alcor-bpo.com), the region is currently one of the most robust outsourcing destinations in the world.
How can Eastern Europe maintain its lead and dominate the global IT market in 2025? Find out in our article!
Outsourcing Evolution: From Cheap Labor to Smart Partnerships
One of the main goals of any company—especially in the IT industry, where competition is real and intense—is to grow. To grow in results, in success, in creativity, in expertise, in everything that really matters in the long term.
And to get there, you can’t simply look at outsourcing as a source of “cheap labor” and limit it to transactional relationships. What makes outsourcing truly successful is partnership.
If you have a company in Western Europe, the UK, or the US, keep in mind that outsourcing in Eastern Europe is, in fact, a mature and strategic partnership.
Before going any further, remember one thing: you should invest strategically, not just transactionally.
Key Advantages of Eastern European Tech Hubs
Let’s review the main advantages of these software development hubs in Eastern Europe, from a financial, educational, cultural, and technical point of view.
1. Large talent pool
The region gathers over 1.75 million IT professionals. Romania, Poland, and Ukraine together host around 600,000 active developers. The more good people you have in a market, the greater the chances of finding diverse skill sets.
2. High-quality education leading to high-quality work
Countries in the Eastern European region have a strong educational system, with a tradition in mathematics and engineering. A high level of education leads to high technical expertise.
In Romania, the focus is on embedded complex systems and cybersecurity. According to Arnia.com, Romania has yielded some of the world’s most highly regarded cybersecurity experts. At the tech stack level, Java, C++, and Python predominate—languages that the region’s engineers master at an advanced level.
Poland stands out for developing complex systems in Java and .NET, while Ukraine excels in the JavaScript area, according to intellias.com.
Software development hubs
-
Romania – Bucharest, Cluj, Iași, Timișoara
-
Poland – Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław, Gdańsk
-
Ukraine – Kyiv, Lviv
3. Time zone compatibility
Romania and Ukraine operate on EET (Eastern European Time), and Poland operates on CET (Central European Time). So, for Western European companies, the differences are minimal—usually between 0 and 1 hour—which makes collaboration smooth and synchronized. Even for US companies, time zone differences can be managed effectively. For example, a daily meeting at 3 PM in Romania corresponds to 8 AM in the morning in New York, providing enough overlapping working hours.
4. Good communication
In addition to their high level of English (for example, Romania—12th place in the EF English Proficiency Index 2024, with a score indicating high proficiency), developers in the region are:
-
open to feedback,
-
active in calls,
-
transparent in communication.
5. Lower rates
Let’s take a concrete example. The gross annual salary of a Senior Java Developer is:
-
US: $114,000 – $156,000
-
Western Europe – Germany: $135,000
-
Poland: $84,000
-
Romania: $81,000
-
Ukraine: $72,000
(Sources: alcor-bpo.com, qubit-labs.com.)
So the salary of a senior developer in Romania is up to 40% lower than in Germany, with a comparable level of technical competence.
Romania: The Standout Country in the Region
Romania has all the ingredients of a successful software development hub. Let’s see why outsourcing to Romania makes strategic sense.
-
Talent pool of over 192,000 active developers
-
Strong expertise, with a special focus on cybersecurity, automotive software, embedded systems.
-
Easy communication—fluency in English, but also German, French, or Italian
-
Part of the European Union, which means legal and financial predictability.
-
Strong clusters: Bucharest, Cluj, Iași, Timișoara
-
1,000+ tech meetups annually, 40+ startup conferences, 50+ active tech hubs.
What to Look for When Choosing a Country
Before choosing one of the 2025 outsourcing destination options, consider:
-
Your technical needs: tech stack, industry, specifications (e.g., if you need JavaScript experts → Ukraine; for cybersecurity → Romania).
-
Available budget: Romania and Ukraine, for example, offer more competitive prices than Poland.
-
Cultural compatibility: look for a team that learns quickly, accepts feedback, and wants to grow with you. If your goal is innovation, you need a partner who shares that drive.
-
English level: choose a team that can communicate clearly and concisely on a daily basis.
-
Proven track record: a rich portfolio, case studies, and positive feedback.
Final Thoughts: Strategic Growth Through Region Selection
If you are a CEO, CTO, or startup founder and your business plan is to grow in terms of expertise and results, consider partnering with software development hubs in Eastern Europe.
If you have started to turn your attention to Romania, choose a trusted Romanian software team like BEE CODED.
Always keep in mind that you should choose a partnership, not cheap labor. Choose commitment, expertise, and a win-win collaboration.