How to Outsource Software Development to Europe: Why More Companies Are Choosing Nearshore Teams

In today’s fast-moving digital world, more and more companies are looking for smarter ways to build great software without blowing through their budgets. One of the most popular options right now is outsourcing software development to Europe — especially to nearshore teams.

If you’ve been wondering how to outsource software development to Europe, or whether it’s the right move for your business, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll walk through why companies are turning to nearshore partners, what benefits they’re seeing, and how you can successfully manage an outsourcing project.

Why More Businesses Are Choosing Nearshore Software Development

Outsourcing isn’t a new concept. Companies have been outsourcing software development for decades. What has changed is where they’re outsourcing to — and Europe is now at the top of many lists.

Here’s why:

Cost Savings Without Sacrificing Quality

Let’s be honest — hiring an in-house software development team in cities like London, New York, or Munich is expensive. Salaries, benefits, and overhead can add up fast.

By partnering with nearshore European teams — in countries like Croatia, Poland, Romania, and the Baltics — companies can typically save 40% to 50% on development costs. And these aren’t junior developers — many European countries are known for producing highly skilled engineers with deep expertise in everything from AI to cloud development.

Easier Collaboration

One of the biggest downsides of outsourcing to distant markets is the time zone gap. If your team is in Germany or the US and your developers are in Asia, you might only have one or two overlapping hours to collaborate.

European nearshore teams offer a much better fit. If you’re in Germany, your Croatian partner is in the same time zone. If you’re in London or the East Coast of the US, you’ll have at least four to six hours of overlap — which makes real-time collaboration and project management much easier.

Access to Specialized Skills

Technology evolves quickly, and it can be tough (and expensive) to find niche expertise locally. European outsourcing partners often bring in-depth experience in areas like:

• AI and machine learning
• Cloud-native development
• Blockchain and Web3
• Enterprise systems
• Mobile app development
• SaaS platforms

Many of these teams also work with clients across the US, UK, and Europe, which means they bring global experience to the table.

Flexibility and Scalability

One of the big advantages of outsourcing is flexibility. You can scale your team up or down depending on project needs — without the long-term commitments of hiring full-time staff.

This makes outsourcing a great fit for startups, growing companies, or established businesses that want to experiment with new technologies without committing huge budgets upfront.

How to Outsource Software Development to Europe: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re ready to explore outsourcing, here’s a simple process to follow:

1. Define Your Project Goals

Before you start talking to potential partners, get clear on what you want to achieve. What’s the goal of this project? What problems are you solving? What technologies do you need?

Having a clear scope will help you find the right team and set expectations from day one.

2. Choose the Right Country and Partner

Not all outsourcing destinations are equal. Think about what’s important to your business — is it cost, technical expertise, language, cultural fit, or time zone?

Countries like Croatia offer a great balance of affordability, strong engineering talent, and easy collaboration with Western Europe and North America.

Once you’ve narrowed down your country list, start looking for partners with proven experience. Check portfolios, client references, and case studies.

3. Interview Potential Teams

Don’t just hire based on a website. Have real conversations with potential partners. Look for:

• Strong communication skills
• Technical expertise in your stack
• Transparency around pricing and timelines
• A clear project management process

It’s also smart to ask about past experience with clients in your country — this helps ensure a smooth cultural and working style fit.

4. Set Clear Expectations

Once you’ve chosen a partner, take the time to clearly define deliverables, timelines, communication channels, and reporting.

Good partners will also guide you through this process and help set realistic milestones.

5. Start Small and Build Trust

If this is your first outsourcing project, consider starting with a smaller pilot or MVP (minimum viable product). This allows both sides to build trust, test working relationships, and make adjustments before scaling up.

6. Maintain Ongoing Communication

Successful outsourcing depends on good communication. Make sure you have regular check-ins — whether that’s weekly video calls, project updates, or shared collaboration tools like Slack, Jira, or Notion.

The more your outsourced team feels like part of your core team, the better the results.

Key Advantages of Outsourcing to Europe (At a Glance)

To recap, here’s why so many companies are choosing European nearshore teams:

• Lower development costs compared to local hiring
• High-quality talent with advanced technical skills
• Time zone compatibility for real-time collaboration
• Easier cultural fit and strong English proficiency
• Flexibility to scale teams up or down
• Access to specialized expertise

Is European Software Outsourcing Right for You?

If your business needs to:

• Build new software quickly
• Scale development resources without long-term hiring
• Access specialized tech expertise
• Control costs while maintaining quality

…then outsourcing to Europe could be a perfect fit.

At Kantun.dev, we help businesses across the US, UK, Germany, and other markets build high-quality software with our experienced Croatian development teams. From custom web and mobile apps to AI-driven platforms, we deliver flexible, transparent, and scalable solutions.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to outsource software development to Europe isn’t difficult — but like any business decision, it takes some planning. The key is to find the right partner, set clear expectations, and maintain strong communication throughout your project.

By choosing a trusted nearshore partner, you can enjoy faster development cycles, better collaboration, and lower costs — all while delivering top-quality software that helps your business grow.

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Ready to explore outsourcing to Europe? Let’s talk! Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and see how our Croatian development team can help bring your software project to life.

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