Indian couple chooses Luxembourg over US for better quality of life despite lower salaries
Luxembourg: In 2020, Bengaluru-based couple Prateek Gupta and Neha Maheshwari made the decision to move to Luxembourg, opting for a better quality of life over the higher salaries they could have earned in the US or Dubai. In an interview with Live Mint, the couple shared their reasons for the move and how their life has changed since relocating to Europe.
Neha, who works in finance at a German real estate company, and Prateek, a senior analyst at Amazon, admitted that while staying in India or moving to countries like the US or Dubai would have provided them with greater financial opportunities, the lifestyle in Europe was more appealing. "Continuing in India or moving to the US would have given us more career and earning opportunities. But we wanted to experience the superior quality of life that Europe offers," Prateek explained.
One of the key factors behind their decision was the balance between income and the services available in Luxembourg. While the couple pays around 28% of their income in taxes, slightly lower than in India, they feel that the services they receive, including healthcare and social security, make it worthwhile. "We contribute 3% of our income to government-sponsored health insurance, which covers most medical needs, except dental treatment," Neha shared.
Another aspect of Luxembourg's tax system that appeals to the couple is the 2% unemployment fund contribution. "If someone loses their job, the government pays 80% of their last drawn salary for up to two years, or until they find new employment," Neha explained. This security, along with healthcare coverage, means they don’t need a separate emergency fund.
The couple also spoke about the affordability of luxury cars and travel in Europe. They purchased a Mercedes A-class for €43,000, which is far more affordable than in India, where a similar car would cost ₹55 lakh. "I wouldn’t easily buy a luxury car priced over ₹50 lakh in India, but in Luxembourg, it’s within my means due to my income in euros," Prateek noted.
Additionally, they find traveling around Europe to be more budget-friendly. Since they earn and spend in the same currency, they can enjoy holidays across Europe without worrying about exchange rates. "The proximity between countries also makes travel cheaper, as we can simply drive around," Prateek said.
Though the couple acknowledges that they could have earned more in other countries or stayed in India for bigger pay increments, the overall quality of life in Luxembourg has proven to be the deciding factor.
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Criminal carrying reward of Rs 25,000 arrested following encounter in UP's Ballia
Ballia (UP) (PTI): Police in the Ballia district of Uttar Pradesh arrested a criminal carrying a reward of Rs 25,000 on his head following an encounter late on Saturday night, a police official said, adding that he sustained a gunshot injury on his left leg.
Additional Superintendent of Police (South) Kripa Shankar said that acting on a tip-off, a team of the Garhwar police station and the SOG (Special Operations Group) attempted to apprehend the wanted criminal at around 10.15 pm on Saturday. Upon realising that he was surrounded by the police, the criminal allegedly fired at the police.
The police fired in self-defence, and the criminal sustained injuries on his left leg, the officer said, adding that he was subsequently arrested.
He has been identified as Tenger Nat (35), a resident of the Kharhatar village under the Gadwar police station area.
According to the ASP, Nat has been sent to the community health centre in Ratsar, where he is currently undergoing treatment.
The arrested accused has allegedly been involved in numerous incidents of theft in Garhwar, Sukhpura, and Nagra police station areas of the district.
The police recovered a country-made pistol and cartridges from his possession.
