How to move to Europe with no money

If you’re thinking of moving to Europe but don’t really have a whole lot of money saved up, it can seem like a pretty far-off dream. The thing is, there are plenty of people who move to Europe with no money, and you can too, as long as you have a plan of how you’re going to make money while you’re there and where you’re going to stay.

So, how can you move to Europe with no money? Let’s dive in and find out!

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How Much Do You Have Saved?

It’s never fun to have a look at your finances, but unfortunately, it’s a necessity in order to be able to across the world. You need to figure out how much you’re working with.

Can you afford the plane ticket to Europe in the first place?

To make sure, I highly recommend comparing flight prices around Europe using Skyscanner. If you want to compare the prices of going by train, bus, or plane around Europe, Omio is an absolute lifesaver.

Getting flights to Europe is a pretty big barrier to overcome, and depending on what time of year you want to move, plane tickets from the US to Europe can run into four figures easily.

The next thing you need to think about is whether you have the money for a visa if you need one. Chances are if you’re going to stay in Europe for over 90 days, or need to work while you’re out there, you’re going to need a visa.

Again, depending on your country of choice, visas and accompanying permits and checks can run up to $500. Obviously, some are way cheaper, but it’s something to factor in before you book your flight.

It’s really hard to do a move like this with absolutely no money at all. While some schemes will help you with travel, visas, or accommodation, you’ll likely need to save some money for expenses or contingency purposes.

Staying with Family

If you have family already living in Europe that you can stay with, this is obviously a massive help. In some countries, you’ll find familial or generational visas which allow you to move and live with a family member who’ll vouch for you while you get a job.

It’s a super convenient and cost-effective way to move to Europe with no money.

Of course, you’ll still need to purchase your flights and visas, and pay your way with your family and friends once you arrive – no one likes a freeloader after all! This is an easy way to get into Europe, but you still need to get there and be able to afford to live once you’re there.

Workaway or Trusted Housesitters

If you have saved up enough for the flights and visa but can’t really swing accommodation in your chosen area, consider joining a Workaway program. Essentially you work in exchange for accommodation and, in some cases, meals as well.

Some programs will also pay a small wage as well, but it’s not a guarantee, so check the listing details and reviews before committing.

Trusted Housesitters is a site where you can stay at someone’s house while they are away in exchange for watching their house or sometimes their pet. It’s a great way to travel the world for free!

Au Pair

If you want to have accommodation, meals, and a small salary guaranteed before you commit to moving to Europe, you can get a job as an Au Pair.

Of course, as you’re working with children, some experience or qualifications might be necessary depending on the country and the company that you’re working with.

Although Au Pair salaries aren’t the biggest, you basically have no expenses so you can save a huge chunk of it for either exploring on your days off or for a flight ticket home for the holidays.

Ski Resorts

Similarly to getting a job as an Au Pair, working seasonally on a ski resort means that you often have ski passes, and accommodation included in your salary remuneration package. In some cases, you might also have meals included depending on your role and your deal.

Again, if you’re working through an agency, they might be able to help you out with your work visas and even help you get a deal on flights. Much like being an Au Pair, the pay varies and isn’t ordinarily amazing, but you have minimal expenses and get to spend the season out on the slopes!

Teaching English

Finally, if you don’t have any money saved, not even enough for a flight ticket, you might want to consider teaching English overseas.

Now, again, this depends on the job, company, or educational institution you’re teaching at, but it’s fairly common for English language teaching programs to include international flights, visas, and accommodation, as well as a teaching salary.

It’s a lucrative package, and ideal if you’re wanting to move to Europe with no money.

Some of the better-paying schools will want experience or qualifications, but if you’re a native speaker, that goes a long way, regardless of experience. Once you’ve got one placement or some international teaching experience, you’ll find that you can work all around the world pretty easily.

So, it is possible if you want to move to Europe with no money. A bit of saving will go a long way to helping you achieve your dream, especially if you’re not participating in a program that’ll pay for your accommodation or flights, or if you have to prove your savings or income during the visa process.

Even with little to no money, a great way to separate yourself and possibly get a better or higher-paying job is by adding an English teaching certificate to your CV/Resume.

My advice: save up as much as you can beforehand. After all, you’re in Europe, you want to have some spending money to enjoy yourself!