Wondering how to move to Europe without a job? Is it even possible? Yes, it is possible to move to Europe without a job!
The process won’t be the easiest one, but if you really want to move to Europe, then that should motivate you to get through the harder parts without giving up.
How to Move to Europe Without a Job
1. Move to Europe as a Student
The best way to move to Europe without a job is by getting a student visa and studying there.
Whether it’s for your Bachelor’s or Master’s or even just a language school, this is the most common and easiest entrance into a lot of countries in Europe.
Not only is the tuition insanely cheap in a lot of cases, but if you graduate, many colleges will give you another visa that allows you to search for a job.
In the UK, you get 6 months after you graduate, but that’s a lot shorter than other countries in Europe.
In Spain or France, you can get a year visa and even may have the possibility of extending that if you still haven’t found something.
Plus, you can get legally get part-time jobs while studying in most countries.
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2. Create a Job by Working for Yourself
Moving abroad with a job already in hand will be considerably easier, but there are methods to get around it. Working for yourself is probably one of the best options.
It may appear to be a vague and unattainable goal, but it really can be accomplished by anybody!
Whether you are an online English teacher who has built up their client list so that they can teach from anywhere or a designer who creates pins for bloggers, or even someone who sells digital prints on Etsy.
There are a plethora of ways to work for yourself, and any skill you possess (or want to develop) may be put to use in that manner.
You can promote your business through Facebook groups or Instagram, then once you obtain a customer or two, you can get referrals and work for them.
Many individuals simply want to learn what you know. Whether you’re a yoga instructor, life coach, marketing consultant, or anything else, there are people who are prepared to pay you for the opportunity to learn from you.
There are others who would like to acquire your skills in order to profit from it. If you don’t believe that you have a talent that you can turn into a company, consider getting into technology!
3. Take a Gap Year with Savings
Many European countries offer “visitor” visas that allow you to stay in that country for a year or longer as long as you provide proof of savings.
The main barrier to entry here is that the amount you need to have in your savings account could be pretty high.
They expect your savings to pay for your entire year in Europe, so you’ll need anywhere from $35,000 to $45,000 in savings.
Many people apply with less than that and still get the visa, so it may be worth a shot!
You can’t legally search for work once you get to Europe with this visa type though.
4. Trade Work for Accommodation
If you want to move to Europe for just a few months, you could consider coming on a tourist visa and staying at a Workaway or using Trusted Housesitters.
Workaway is a site that allows you to find people in Europe (and all over the world) who are willing to host you in their homes in exchange for work.
The work could be gardening, painting, babysitting, English teaching, etc. They also provide your meals.
This could be a good way to move to Europe without a job and test out which country you want to end up in.
Although you can only stay in the Schengen Zone for 90 days at a time (then 90 days out) you could head to Eastern Europe for 90 days to see if any of those countries are a better fit for you.
I’ve lived abroad for many years and love helping others find work abroad and figure out their “Move Abroad Plan.” Check out my class below to get you started ASAP!
5. Get a Job Where You’re From that Has International Opportunities
I put this one last since it’s not a quick solution to the problem, but it could be one that works better in the long term.
Instead of immediately heading to Europe without a job, you could find a job in your country that has international branches.
Make sure when you’re hired that there is a possibility of getting transferred abroad.
Great companies for this would be travel companies, banks, airlines, etc. You most likely will need to work in your home country for a year or more before you get transferred abroad.