Want to live abroad in Europe but don’t want to commit for a long period of time? I hear you. The good news is that you can easily move across to Europe and live around the continent for a month.

Whether that’s spending the full month in Italy or Slovakia, or traveling around and exploring the different cultures, it’s entirely possible to spend a month in Europe. So, what do you need to think about before living in Europe for a month?

Wherever you end up in Europe, you’ve got to try learning the language a bit while you’re there! It’s such a valuable skill and it will enrich your time abroad. Check out Pimsleur for free to get started today!

Let’s dive in and find out.

Figure Out Your Visa

First things first, you need to think about visas. On the whole, if you’re visiting Europe from the US, Canada, Australia, or many other nations, you can take advantage of the Schengen Zone.

This is made up of 26 countries within Europe that operate with open borders when it comes to tourists and freedom of movement.

The Schengen Zone allows you to travel freely within these countries for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without having to get a visa. Notable exceptions to the Schengen Zone are the UK, Croatia, Turkey, Ireland, and more.

This is obviously perfect if you want to live in Europe for a month.

If you want to go to Croatia or Ireland, you can travel without a visa for up to 90 days, and for the UK, it’s up to 180 days. For Turkey, it’s a little bit different, and depending on where you’re coming from, it’s going to determine how much you need to pay and the duration that you can stay.

One of the main downsides of the Schengen visa-less scenario, and other visa-less stays, is that legally, you cannot work on them, not even on a remote or self-employed basis.

Although it’s difficult to keep track of people who are working remotely, if you’re caught working overseas without the proper documentation, you can be fined and deported.

In some circumstances, the country can also ban you from re-entering in the future. So, if you’re traveling for a month, it’s worth saving up ahead of time and leaving work at home if you can.

If you work for an international company, you might be able to get a short-term work visa or an international flexible working arrangement.

Similarly, if you’re going to Europe to learn a language, you can enroll in a part-time language school for a month and apply for a student visa, if working is a necessity.

Find Accommodation

Finding somewhere to live for a month can be tricky. Most places will have an absolute minimum rental agreement of three months, and it’s more likely to be six or twelve months. Traditional rentals are largely out of the question.

You can get great deals if you stay in a hostel for over a week or two, and you can kind of make the room your own, if you get a private room, and meet new people in the common areas.

If you want more peace and quiet, I suggest getting an Airbnb or similar vacation rental. It’s normally in a more residential neighborhood, and, like hostels, they normally have reduced rates for longer stays.

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 or while you’re figuring out your future accommodation!

Get a Job or Bring Yours With You

As I’ve mentioned, pretty much all visa-less stays mean that you cannot work during your month in Europe. If you do have a digital nomad visa or work permit, you can work in the country.

In order to get these visas, you’ll either have to show an in-demand skill or role, be financially secure, or have sponsorship from your new job.

If you’re a student, you’ll be able to work a set amount of hours per week. For instance, UK student visas allow you to work up to 20 hours per week. This means you can get a job in retail, hospitality, or admin pretty easily for a couple of hours per week.

If you’re looking for a job abroad, you should work on making your resume/CV more competitive, I definitely recommend earning a few certifications on Coursera.

My favorite certifications that are guaranteed to make your CV look great to employers are Graphic Design, Software Development, Project Management, and Brand Management.

I used courses and certifications in Software Development to help me land the position I have today!

If you’re a digital nomad, you can work from anywhere on your laptop. As long as you have a WiFi connection and you’re largely working for companies that are registered outside the country you’re currently staying in, you should be in the clear.

If you want to start earning money immediately, you can freelance on sites like Fiverr or Upwork.

These are great for writers, editors, photographers, graphic designers, devs, and more. If you have a marketable skill that people want to pay for, you can make a lot of money remotely.

If you’re looking to move to Europe with no money at all, check out this guide.

Where to live in Europe for a month

If you’re looking to test-drive living in Europe for a month, there are so many great options to choose from. In fact, most countries in Europe have at least 30-day visa-free entry for visitors, with countries in the Schengen Zone allowing 90-day visa-free stays. This gives you ample opportunity to try living in a new country for a month.

Of course, if you need to work while you’re in Europe, it becomes a little trickier as you technically can’t work on a visa-free entry. However, if you work remotely for a company overseas, you can probably get away with logging on for the month without repercussions. Let me be clear that I’m not saying it’s legal, but if you need to check your emails on vacation, that’s not grounds for a work visa…

So, here is a selection of the best places to live in Europe for a month.

Portugal

As one of the most affordable countries in Western Europe, it’s little wonder that Portugal has become a haven for digital nomads looking for a budget European experience. With this being the case, there are huge expat communities across Lisbon, Porto, Braga, and the Algarve region.

You can have access to co-working spaces and even co-living situations in the major cities, which makes finding accommodation and office space a breeze for a short period of time. If you want something more affordable, there are plenty of hostels and Airbnbs offering month-long discounted stays in central locations.

The cost of living in Portugal is famously low, making it ideal for trialing living in Europe for a month. It’s also got beautiful weather, beaches, vineyards, historic cities, and top-tier seafood. What’s not to love here?

France

If you’re looking to stay in a well-known European country for a month, France is a great option. Although most expats opt for Paris or the Riviera, there are so many other amazing spots like Lyon, Toulouse, Brittany, the Loire Valley, and more.

While France isn’t the cheapest option around, eating and drinking out is much more affordable than in the US, as it’s part of the culture here. Of course, major cities like Paris are expensive to stay in, but again, there are plenty of accommodation options, including vacation rentals and hostels.

Another huge benefit of staying in France is the culture and food. It’s famous around the world for a reason! The country also has great transport links around Europe, so it’s an ideal base for exploring Western Europe while you’re there.

Germany

I might be a little biased, but Germany is an awesome place to live for a month. Whether you want city life in Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, or Cologne, or you prefer the relaxing vibes of the Rhine Valley or the Black Forest, there is a lot to love here.

On the whole, services and transport run on time here, the accommodation is usually pretty reasonable, and you can easily access all corners of Europe from this central base. There are also a ton of expats here, meaning that there are co-working spaces and a ton of events where you can meet people from around the world.

Slovenia

If you love the beautiful mountain and lake landscape of Switzerland and Austria, but don’t want to pay a premium price tag, check out Slovenia. With stunning natural spaces that are perfect for outdoorsy types, it’s a perfect place to spend a month, especially at warmer times of the year.

The cost of living is super low with a monthly public transport pass in the capital, Ljubljana, costing just 10 euros and a one-bed apartment in the city center running to around $740 per month. That’s also the most expensive place in the entire country.

It’s also in a great location for exploring Eastern Europe as well as Central Europe and Alpine regions, which is ideal for those weekend exploits.

Poland

With so many beautiful, historic cities, Poland is definitely an underrated place to live in Europe. The low cost of living makes it perfect for people looking to move on a budget or just explore Europe more once you’re on this side of the Atlantic.

Predictably, the capital, Warsaw, is the most expensive city, but you can also get deals and find extensive expat communities in Wroclaw, Gdansk, Katowice, and Poznan. As an added benefit, all of these cities are served by low-cost European airlines, so you can easily travel from this base.

Spain

Of course, Spain is a favorite of expats all around the world. However, the recent tourist backlash has put some people off spending time here during peak seasons. While some areas like Valencia, Barcelona, Ibiza, and Majorca are all facing overtourism, there are so many alternate places to enjoy for a month instead.

Cities like Santander, Bilbao, Zaragoza, Granada, and more are all bursting with history, culture, and delicious cuisine. Spain remains a pretty cheap place to stay, especially in these smaller or less-visited cities. While not as cheap as neighboring Portugal, it does tend to be more cost-effective than France.

The Netherlands

Fancy spending some time in Amsterdam or Rotterdam? Well, you wouldn’t be alone, as there are plenty of expats and students in the Netherlands’ major cities. In large part, this is due to the number of international companies that have their headquarters here. So, if you’re staying for a month but looking for a sponsored work visa for the future, this is an ideal place to base yourself.

The Netherlands isn’t the cheapest place in Europe, but it’s not ridiculous. Food and transport are affordable, but rent can be expensive. However, for short-term, one-month stays, renting a vacation rental, houseboat, or hostel room can be a way to mitigate this expense.

Locationally, the Netherlands is ideal for Western Europe, but it’s also convenient for parts of Scandinavia like Denmark and Southwest Sweden. You can also get a direct train through to London via the Eurostar, as well.

Italy

Let’s be honest, most expats fall in love with the idea of La Dolce Vita. There are plenty of expats all across Italy, but especially in Rome, Florence, Milan, and Naples. The mix of ancient history, Renaissance-era culture, amazing food and wine, and laidback vibes all contribute to Italy’s lasting appeal.

As well as the amazing cities, there are plenty of natural landscapes, especially around Lake Como, Lake Garda, and the Dolomites. You can also travel all the way down to Sicily for some island vibes. On the whole, Italy is affordable outside of the major cities, however, you can always find cheap hostels and Airbnbs in the student districts.

Italy also has great rail and bus connections, which make day tripping across the country and into neighboring Italy, Switzerland, and Austria relatively straightforward.

UK

If you’re looking to eliminate language barriers, the UK welcomes US visitors on six-month visa-free stays. However, that comes with a premium price tag. Most people stay in London, due to its travel connections and expat communities. There are also more working opportunities in the capital. However, it’s one of the most expensive cities on the planet.

You can always opt for Cardiff, Glasgow, York, Leeds, Manchester, or Liverpool as a month-long base to help reduce costs and still maintain an expat network. All of these major cities have at least two universities and numerous co-working spaces to make socializing easier.

Montenegro

You might not know much about Montenegro, but you should. It’s grown in popularity recently as a budget alternative to Croatia and the Greek islands. It’s located south of Croatia on the Adriatic Sea and is full of historic cities like Kotor, Tivat, and Budva.

There are so many sweeping beaches and islands to visit, giving it Croatian vibes, but the cost of living is much lower, as it’s still relatively under the radar. Rent for a city center apartment in Budva, which is one of the most expensive coastal cities with a huge summer music festival and UNESCO Old Town, ranges from $500 to $1000.

At the moment, vacation rentals are the way to go as there aren’t a ton of hostels to choose from. You can also find extended hotel stays for relatively cheap here. It’s worth noting that Montenegro is not in the Schengen, but does have visa-free access for 30 days!

Learn the Language with Pimsleur

Realistically, if you’re staying in a country for a month, you’re no longer just passing through – you need to make an effort with the language. Besides, if you want to live like a local or experience the place fully, knowing the language is a huge part of that.

Not only is it a great life skill, but it’s also super handy, and it’s respectful. Brush up on your language skills before you travel!

I seriously love using Pimsleur to learn useful phrases quickly (instead of “The duck is yellow” like Duolingo!).

The phrases I have learned have stuck with me for years, so I can’t recommend it enough for language learning.

Try Pimsleur for FREE

If you’re interested in my journey learning German, check out this post!