Top 5 Benefits of IT Outsourcing in Eastern Europe

If you’re here, you’re probably looking for IT outsourcing in Eastern Europe. Well, you’ve come to the right place. Today, we will present the most important benefits of an IT partnership with an Eastern European country, with a special focus on Romania.

Over the past two decades, Romania’s IT sector has experienced spectacular growth. Today, the country has a talent pool of 192,000 software engineers (according to neontri.com), making it one of the most attractive destinations for Eastern European IT outsourcing. Read our article and find out why Romania is a smart choice for companies from Western Europe or the US looking for high-quality outsourcing services at a competitive price.

1. Cost-efficiency and skilled labor

One of the most important benefits of outsourcing to Eastern Europe is value for money. For example, software development costs in Romania are considerably lower than in Western countries or the USA, while offering the same (or even better) quality.

According to toptal.com, the average hourly rate for software development in Romania ranges from $45 to $63. In comparison, the average rate is around $92 in the US and about $78 per hour in the UK. In short, you pay less for the same (or even better) technical expertise.

2. Time zone and geographic proximity

Another important advantage of Eastern European IT outsourcing is its geographical proximity to Western countries. Romania is located in Eastern Europe, but it is very well connected with capitals such as Berlin, Paris, Amsterdam, or Brussels, with direct flights that typically take 2-3 hours.

In addition, Romania is in the EET (Eastern European Time) zone. For companies from Central and Western Europe, the time difference is minimal (0 or 1 hour), which allows real-time collaboration throughout the working day. The same applies to other well-known Eastern European IT hubs such as Poland and Ukraine.

For US companies, the difference is greater but still manageable. For example, a daily stand-up at 3 PM in Romania corresponds to 8 AM in New York, so teams can find overlapping hours for good synchronization.

3. Multilingual and culturally compatible teams

English is widely spoken among IT specialists in Eastern Europe. Many developers also communicate easily in other languages, such as German, French, or Spanish, which is a big plus for companies in these regions. 

According to the EF English Proficiency Index 2024, Romania ranks 12th out of 116 countries, with a score of 593, in the “high proficiency” category. Poland follows closely at  15th place, with a score of 588, also in the high proficiency category.

Countries like Romania, Poland, Bulgaria, and the Baltic states are all members of the European Union and are culturally aligned with Western European values, ensuring also legal and data protection alignment (such as GDPR compliance).

4. Advanced tech education and infrastructure

Eastern countries have strong traditions in engineering and mathematics. For example, according to qubit-labs.com, over 6,750 tech graduates complete their studies in fields such as engineering or computer science each year in Romania. In Poland, nearly 15,000 IT and communication technology students graduate annually from Polish universities (onrec.com). 

Romania has 41 technical universities, 3 of which are in prestigious international rankings. The local tech community is also extremely active: each year, Romania hosts around 1,000 tech meetups and 40 startup-focused conferences and offers 51 hubs and co-working spaces (qubit-labs.com).

The main IT hubs in Romania are Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, and Iași, cities with modern infrastructure and a vibrant tech culture.

Other major Eastern European IT centres include

• Poland: Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław, and Gdańsk
• Bulgaria: Sofia, Plovdiv, and Varna
• Estonia: Tallinn

As a bonus, according to arnia.com, Romania is also recognized for its expertise in cybersecurity. The country has produced some of the most highly regarded cybersecurity specialists globally.

5. Strong work ethic and scalability

IT professionals in Eastern Europe are known for their strong work ethic, punctuality, solution-oriented mindset, and ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

As mentioned before, the Eastern European IT market is large and flexible. Outsourcing companies in the region are already well accustomed to scalable work models, whether on a project basis or as dedicated teams.

6. Why Romania leads the region in tech outsourcing?

According to toptal.com, Business Service Leaders in Romania and KPMG ranked Romania as the number one country among mature outsourcing markets in Eastern Europe.

This ranking is the result of a solid mix of factors: highly trained developers, affordable rates, cultural compatibility, and a modern digital infrastructure. With an average rate of €42–€59 per hour and a high level of technical expertise, Romania offers an ideal balance for companies seeking performance without paying exorbitant costs.

Conclusion

Partnering with Eastern European IT specialists for software development is a well-established business strategy that has proven effective for over a decade. These countries offer a range of advantages, such as a highly skilled and technically proficient workforce, competitive pricing, convenient time zones, etc.

If you’re a CEO or CTO at a Western European or US-based company exploring outsourcing options in Europe, Romania should definitely be on your shortlist. With a unique mix of cost efficiency, advanced technical expertise, a favourable time zone, cultural compatibility, and a strong IT infrastructure, Romania stands out as a regional leader in Eastern European IT outsourcing.

Discover why IT outsourcing in Romania is a smart choice, and contact us today for a specialized consultation!