Why Hiring Scala Developers from Eastern Europe Is a Smart Choice

Companies in fintech, e-commerce, big data, and other sectors choose Scala for its robust backend capabilities, real-time data processing, and high scalability.

Morgan Stanley, Coursera, Twitter, Netflix, and Shopify are just a few business giants that use this technology to deliver top-notch service to their audiences. According to W3Techs, 4.3% of all websites that disclose their server-side programming language use Scala.

The growing demand for skilled Scala developers has led to a notable increase in salaries.

According to Statista, Scala was the 7th top-paying technology in 2024 globally, with an average annual compensation of $88,600. The JetBrains’ State of Developer Ecosystem Report 2024 also ranked Scala developers at the top in terms of salary by programming language.

As developers in North America and Western Europe command high salaries, local businesses decide to cut their development costs by turning to offshore or nearshore software engineering.

Often, their choice falls on Eastern Europe, where companies can access high-quality tech talent at 15%-50% lower rates.

In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of working with Scala devs based in Eastern Europe, highlighting the top countries to hire from, and explain how to choose the right tech talent provider.

Key Benefits of Hiring Scala Developers in Eastern Europe

Eastern Europe has become a popular destination for hiring Scala professionals with strong programming expertise. Below are the main advantages driving this trend.

• Cost efficiency. The cost of living in Eastern Europe is significantly lower than in the US, Germany, France, Switzerland, and other Western countries. As a result, the cost to hire Scala developers in Bulgaria, Romania, Poland, Ukraine, Moldova, and other countries of Eastern Europe’s IT sector is up to 50% lower.
• High technical expertise. Eastern Europe has a strong university system with advanced programs in computer science and software engineering. These institutions equip the IT workforce with theoretical knowledge and practical experience – providing highly skilled professionals to the market.

Regional Rankings of Business, Technology and Data Science Skills in Europe

Source: Coursera

• Convenient time zone. Eastern Europe’s working time overlaps with the US’s and EU’s business hours, enabling efficient remote collaboration. Developers can respond quickly, keep workflows consistent, and ensure dedicated teams remain productive.
• English proficiency. Scala developers in Ukraine, Romania, Moldova, and other Eastern European countries typically have at least an intermediate (High to Moderate) level of English proficiency. This allows them to communicate effectively in international teams and deliver high-quality results.
• Thriving IT ecosystem. Eastern Europe boasts a fast-growing developing IT sector and a dense network of tech startups, IT consulting and development firms, and highly skilled professionals. Tech hubs in Ukraine, Poland, Romania, Hungary, and Bulgaria make this region one of the top destinations for the global team augmentation and outsourcing market.
• Similar culture and mentality. The professional values and business culture of Scala developers in Eastern Europe align with those of Western teams. Their commitment to deadlines, eagerness to learn new tools and methods, reliability, and openness contribute to strong project outcomes and high software quality.

Eastern Europe stands out as a cost-effective, strategic destination for hiring top-tier Scala developers. With strong tech talent, cultural alignment, and a vibrant IT ecosystem, the region offers real advantages for driving innovation and business growth.

Top Destinations to Hire Scala Developers in Eastern Europe

Eastern Europe offers a compelling mix of industry expertise, cost-efficiency, and cultural compatibility. For companies seeking off-site Scala experts to build affordable, high-quality software solutions, this region is especially attractive.

Let’s explore the leading countries in Eastern Europe based on key parameters businesses typically consider.

Hire Scala Developers in Hungary

The country is focused on innovation despite its moderate digital infrastructure (42) and high technical knowledge (84). Hungarian software developers also demonstrate solid English proficiency (17), enabling effective communication on international projects.

Hourly rates ($20–34) and annual salaries ($41,000–69,000) let businesses balance cost and quality, with over 700 Scala specialists listed on LinkedIn. 

Budapest remains a central hub for businesses aiming to enhance their Scala development projects at reasonable costs.

Hire Scala Developers in Poland

Poland offers competitive hourly rates ($32-40) and annual salaries ($64,000–81,000) along with an advanced tech ecosystem (38) and moderate cost of living (38.9). Engineers here bring a strong tech background (32) and exceptional problem-solving skills. 

The country boasts a large talent pool of approximately 3,700 Scala programmers with a high English proficiency h (15) and a Western-style work culture that supports seamless communication.

Cities like Warsaw, Krakow, and Wroclaw are recognized innovation centers, making Poland one of the most prominent tech hiring hubs.

Hire Scala Developers in Ukraine

A LinkedIn search for “Scala Ukraine” yields over 1,200+ developers. Mid-to-senior Scala salaries range from $54,000 to $76,000, with hourly rates between $27 and 38  – making Ukraine a cost-effective choice for Western companies. 

The country has moderate English proficiency (40), a developing IT infrastructure (46) with well-established tech hubs like Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Lviv.

Its technical expertise (36) underscores the strong capabilities of Ukrainian Scala developers, making them reliable partners for building innovative, cost-effective solutions.

Hire Scala Developers in Bulgaria

Bulgaria offers reasonable hourly rates ($20-37) and annual salaries ($40,000–75,000) along with a pool of 300+ Scala professionals, primarily based in Sofia and Varna. 

Bulgarian developers are known for their solid English skills (16), strong technical knowledge (47), and cultural alignment with Western partners. The country’s strong IT infrastructure (53) contributes to building strong partnerships with international companies.

Hire Scala Developers in Romania

According to LinkedIn, there are around 900  Scala developers in Romania. With a moderate cost of living (34.0) and competitive pay ($41,000–70,000/year and $20–35/hour) Romania is a budget-friendly destination. 

Fluency in English (12), tech proficiency (67), adaptability, and commitment to delivering high-quality results motivate businesses to collaborate with Romanian developers or seek Scala development consulting in Romania.

The cities like Bucharest and Cluj-Napoca have emerged as fast-growing tech hubs fostering innovation and development.

Among these five best countries where you can hire Scala programmers, Ukraine stands out for its exceptional cost-to-quality ratio and mature tech ecosystem. Romania is a strong alternative, although it has a smaller talent pool and less developed digital infrastructure. 

Why Ukraine Stands Out as a Top Choice for Building Your Scala Development Team

Ukraine has become a trusted partner for companies building or extending Scala development teams, supporting hundreds of US and Western European clients.

1. Large IT Talent Pool and Fast-Growing Industry

Ukraine boasts 300,000+ tech professionals and 2,000+ tech companies. 

“High-quality STEM education and rapid industry development are the main factors for this elevated growth,” says Stepan Veselovskyi, CEO at Lviv IT Cluster

Alex Bornyakov, deputy minister of digital transformation for Ukraine, states that there are venture capital funds built exclusively to support Ukrainian startups and the IT ecosystem. “namely Blue & Yellow Heritage Fund by ffVC, UFF, D3 Venture Capital Firm and Growth Fund IV,” he says.

2. Competitive Pricing Without Compromising Quality

According to Statista:

“One of the reasons why Ukraine is becoming a preferred destination for IT outsourcing is the availability of a highly skilled workforce at a relatively lower cost. Ukrainian developers are known for their expertise in software development, data science, and artificial intelligence.”

US- and Europe-based businesses turn to recruitment in Ukraine, where experienced providers help them access skilled Scala experts at up to 50% lower costs than hiring them locally. Additionally, Ukrainian teams often share closer cultural values and communication styles with Western teams than devs from other offshore/onshore destinations.

3. Strong Expertise in FinTech, AI, Blockchain, and Enterprise Solutions

According to Statista, the Ukrainian software market’s revenue is expected to reach $4.11 billion in 2025, with enterprise software as the dominant segment. Ukrainian Scala developers drive transformational capabilities to projects in diverse domains.

“Companies turn to Ukrainian firms to develop custom AI and ML applications. Another trend is the rise of blockchain technology, with Ukrainian companies developing solutions for a range of industries, including finance, healthcare, and logistics.”

Ukraine remains a top destination for companies considering hiring Scala developers from Eastern Europe. With a vast talent pool, strong domain expertise, cost-efficiency, and a culture of innovation, it offers everything modern tech companies need to succeed.

Key Considerations When Choosing a Scala Nearshoring Provider

There are three core models for collaborating with remote Scala developers. You can hire freelancers, contract developers through an EOR (Employer of Record), and partner with an IT staff augmentation provider.

Engaging tech talent providers has become a leading software development trend, as nearshoring/offshoring partners access to the global workforce and deliver the “turnkey” hiring solution.

They manage the entire process — from candidate search, vetting, and tech assessment (if needed) to onboarding and ongoing talent retention. Below is a brief guide on evaluating nearshoring partners and selecting the best match.

How to Select a Reliable Provider of Nearshore Scala Developers

Here’s how you can assess your future team extension partner.

1. Define Your Needs

Clarify the tech stack considering your domain and project requirements. Think about how many Scala experts you need, their roles, seniority, and English proficiency, and preferred location.

Estimate your hiring timeline based on your development goals. Are you planning long-term cooperation, a one-time project, or occasional engagement of Scala experts?

The answer will let you select the optimized collaboration model: building a dedicated Scala team, extending your in-house crew with full-time developers, or hiring part-time engineers on demand.

2. Research and Shortlist Vendors

Leverage referrals, tech communities, and specialized platforms to find a reputable Scala development company in Eastern Europe. If you’re looking to hire dedicated or part-time experts in Scala in Europe, these sources can also guide you to trusted Scala talent providers.

Review vendor portfolios to ensure relevant experience in your domain. Examine how their clients have benefited from the cooperation. For instance, HireScalaDevelopers have assembled a dedicated Scala team for OntrackRetail, a UK-based retail company, improving inventory tracking and real-time analytics – ultimately boosting the company’s customer engagement.

Consider the size of the company. Smaller companies tend to be more flexible and client-oriented. Shortlist 3-5 companies for comparison.

3. Estimate the Cost and Check the Hiring Process

Schedule free consultations with potential partners to discuss your requirements and learn the preliminary cost for your hires.

Check how quickly you can get the first CVs, whether they assist with tech interviews, and how they manage onboarding and team integration.

Ask about their talent retention strategies. How they keep Scala developers motivated, engaged, and aligned with your project over time?

Find out if they provide dedicated Account Managers focused on building strong, trust-based relationships and meeting your expectations.

4. Discuss Collaboration Terms

Confirm the IT staffing provider has the NDA, IP rights, and data protection policies and ensures compliance with relevant regulations. Evaluate their security and backup policies and how they manage remote access.

Discuss price structure and hidden fees. payment schedules, and candidate replacement terms. Check how quickly you can scale your team up or down and which administrative tasks the provider handles.

Ideally, request a one-page contract summary that outlines all key terms and conditions clearly and concisely.

Red Flags to Watch Out for When Choosing a Provider

Spotting strengths of potential hiring partners is as important as recognizing warning signs that may disrupt your project. Here are some key red flags:

• Vague candidate vetting approach: Providers should clearly explain how each recruitment stage ensures the right fit. If they lack clarity, it can result in mismatched hires and candidates failing probation periods.
• Lack of similar projects in portfolio: Reliable vendors should be willing to share client references and success stories. If bound by NDA, they should at least offer anonymised case studies. Generic examples may indicate a lack of relevant experience.
• Unclear pricing structure and responsibilities. If a provider can’t clearly explain what’s included in rates or define their responsibilities, you risk getting inconsistent billing, hidden fees, and delays in devs’ replacement or team scaling.
• Ineffective communication. Slow or unclear responses during the pre-collaboration discussions can be the early indicators of low accountability, miscommunication, or even potential delays during the project itself.

Choosing the right provider requires thorough evaluation and attention to potential warning signs. Mitigating risks at this stage improves the chances of successful cooperation.

Wrapping Up

Hiring Scala developers from Eastern Europe — particularly Ukraine — offers a powerful combination of deep technical expertise, cost efficiency, and a strong culture of innovation.

Ukrainian software engineers also offer overlapping business hours and strong cultural alignment with teams in the US and Western Europe, enabling productive collaboration across distributed teams.

To fully leverage these benefits, it’s essential to choose a staffing partner that aligns with your needs and expectations.