This is a post about how to move to Europe.
How to Move to Europe Without a Degree, Job Offer or a Tonne of Money
As the title of this blog says, the main reason I’m here on the internet spending a lot of time writing these blog posts is because I’m a big advocate of living abroad. It’s not for everyone but I definitely think everyone should do it at some point. At least for a little bit. Get a little taste of what else there is. The problem you might have which is what I thought I had when I was a teenager was thinking only a selective group gets this chance. Thinking you needed loads of money too study abroad or something.. but that’s not true and I’ve made it my mission to spread the word: you too can move to Europe. With the right approach and a bit of flexibility, you can move to Europe with or without a degree, a formal job offer and even without a load of cash.
This how to move to Europe guide breaks down the most budget-friendly ways on how to make your move and where to start.
1. Become an Au Pair in Europe
What it is:
My go to and how I moved to 3 different countries. An au pair is a young person who lives with a host family, helps with childcare and light housework and receives room, board and pocket money in return.
What you get:
- Free accommodation and meals
- A monthly allowance (between 280€ – 515€ approx)
- Cultural exchange and language classes
- Health insurance in most cases
- Support with visa and paperwork (depends on country)
What you need:
- Be aged 18–30 (sometimes up to 26 depending on country and agency)
- Basic childcare experience (even babysitting counts)
- Clean criminal record
- Basic knowledge of the host country’s language can help but isn’t always required
- Often you must be unmarried and without children
Best countries for au pairing:
Honestly, I think there’s only the best one for you and your goals. France and Germany offer a load of post-au pair opportunities, for example. Luxembourg is like a fairy tale multilingual country. Iceland is a magical place but very expensive so if you can live there for free, that’s definitely a bonus! Finland’s the happiest country in the world (8x in a row!). Some offer student visas for over-30s (like Italy and Ireland), which still allow you to live with a family and attend language courses.
Where to start:
- Use platforms like AuPairWorld or agencies that assist with placement – only the Netherlands and Switzerland require an agency, the other countries you just apply for a visa directly and it’s usually straightforward
- Prepare your au pair profile with childcare experience and a letter to families
- Expect (and demand!) to do video interviews with potential hosts
Some countries (like Germany) allow au pairs to extend their stay through volunteering or student visas. France and Denmark allow you to stay 2 years as an au pair!
If you’re interested in this route, I’ve got a full au pair in Europe guide with loads more information!
2. Get a Digital Nomad Visa and Work Remotely
What it is
A visa that allows remote workers or freelancers to legally live in a European country while working for non-local clients or employers.
What you get:
- Temporary residency (usually 1–2 years)
- Legal work status (as a remote worker)
- Access to health care (usually paid for by you), rental markets and sometimes even tax breaks
What you need:
- Proof of remote income (often between 2,000€ – 3,500€/month)
- Health insurance that’s valid in the host country
- Accommodation booking or rental
- Background check
- Sometimes proof of freelance contracts or client letters
Top countries offering digital nomad visas:
Portugal, Spain, Brazil, Croatia, Estonia, Greece, Italy (new as of 2024) and Hungary.
Where to start:
- Check our full list of countries offering digital nomad visas
- Gather bank statements or pay stubs to prove income
- Check if taxes apply – you may need a local tax ID after a few months
- Check our step-by-step guide to becoming a digital nomad
3. Housesitting in Europe
What it is
A barter arrangement where you live in someone’s home for free while taking care of their house, garden or pets while they’re away. I’ve been dogsitting for the same family for a few years now and really love it!
What you get:
- Free accommodation (often in very nice homes)
- No utility or rent bills
- Short to mid-term stays (some are a few days, others months)
What you need:
- Flexibility with dates and locations
- A background check or ID verification
- Experience with animals helps a lot
- A profile with reviews (start local if needed)
Where to start:
- Create a profile on TrustedHousesitters, Nomador or MindMyHouse
- Apply to listings with personalised messages
- Video chat with homeowners and ask for clear responsibilities
Pro Tip: Start by sitting in your home country to build reviews. Some people housesit full-time and travel indefinitely for free. GirlvsGlobe has been doing it for ages!
4. Work a Seasonal Job in Europe
What it is
Temporary work in industries that hire extra hands during peak seasons. Think ski resorts, farms, summer camps, hostels and vineyards.
What you get:
- A salary (often 800€ – 1,500€/month)
- Accommodation and meals included in some roles
- A social environment and built-in community
- Great for beginners who want to live abroad without qualifications
What you need:
- Be eligible to work in Europe (see working holiday visa below)
- Speak basic English and sometimes the local language (depends on the role)
- Be able to work physically or do shift work
Best countries for seasonal work:
France (vineyards, ski resorts), Spain (hotels, camps), Italy (agriculture), Switzerland (hospitality) and Greece (tourism).
Are there agencies?
Yes. While Europe doesn’t have something exactly like the U.S. Camp America program for everything, agencies like Anywork Anywhere, EuropeanBackdoorsJobs, Seasonworkers or direct resort programs offer opportunities.
Where to start:
- Apply online through agencies or local job boards
- Be ready to commit 1–6 months depending on the season
- Get any work permits sorted before arrival
Pro Tip: Many hostels will trade free bed/board for work. Look for “work exchange hostel” in Google. It’s important to know none of these are holidays. They’re all working holidays. It’s up to you to make the most of your time but also honour your responsibilities.
5. Get a Working Holiday Visa
What it is
A visa that allows young people (usually 18–30 or 35) to live and work in a country temporarily, typically for up to 1 year.
What you get:
- Legal work status
- Freedom to move around the country
- Usually no need to pre-arrange a job
What you need:
- Be within the eligible age bracket
- Have a certain amount of savings (€2,000–€3,000 usually)
- Have a valid passport from an eligible country
- Return flight or proof of funds
Best countries for working holidays in Europe:
- The UK (Youth Mobility Scheme)
- Ireland
- France
- Germany
- Spain (with certain bilateral agreements)
(if you’re looking further afield, other countries like Australia and Canada also offer it to certain nationalities)
Where to start:
- Search “[country] working holiday visa [your nationality]”
- Follow government visa application instructions
- Start gathering documents early (they book out fast!)
Pro Tip: Some countries let you apply while in Europe if you’re already on a tourist visa, check the rules carefully. And yes, do check when the visa applications open because they do fill up really fast!
6. Volunteer in Exchange for Accommodation
What it is
Work exchange placements where you volunteer a few hours a day in exchange for food and a place to stay.
What you get:
- Free accommodation and meals
- Cultural immersion
- Flexible travel experience
What you need:
- Profile on a platform like Workaway, HelpX or Worldpackers
- Enthusiasm and willingness to adapt
- Often a basic grasp of English or the local language
- Ability to stay for 2–4 weeks at a time (though some are shorter)
Popular volunteering opportunities:
- Eco farms (WWOOF)
- Hostels and guesthouses
- Language exchange
- Animal shelters
- Community projects
Where to start:
- Sign up for one or more platforms
- Browse hosts by country and read reviews
- Message hosts directly and discuss expectations
Pro Tip: Some hosts offer private rooms or full-board deals. Always clarify what’s included before arriving.
7. Teach English in Europe
What it is
Teaching English to children or adults, either in schools, language centres, or through government programmes.
What you get:
- A salary or stipend
- Visa support in some programmes
- Great cultural immersion
- Looks great on your CV if you want to teach elsewhere later
What you need:
- Native or near-native English fluency
- TEFL certificate (there are loads of online courses you can take! Check out TEFL.org, their courses are always on sale! I did the 120-hour one for less than £200)
- Sometimes a bachelor’s degree, but not always
Top teaching destinations:
Spain (Auxiliares de Conversación), France (TAPIF), Hungary (Central European Teaching Program), Poland and the Czech Republic. Private language schools are also common.
Where to start:
- Apply through government programmes or language school chains
- If freelancing, try platforms like iTalki, Cambly, or Preply for private tutoring
- Get your TEFL certification before applying
8. Study in Europe with a Student Visa
What it is
This is probably the one you’ll need more money for depending on the country. Enrolling in a university or language school and getting a student visa that allows you to stay long-term and sometimes work part-time. Studying in the UK is crazy expensive! Speaking from experience after a BA, an MA and a MSc… (I had to). But look at countries like France and Germany.
What you get:
- Temporary residency
- Access to affordable or free tuition in some countries
- Part-time work rights (usually)
- Pathway to longer-term stays or careers
What you need:
- Acceptance into a university or language program
- Proof of funds for living expenses
- Health insurance
- Housing
Top countries for affordable study:
Germany (tuition-free), France, Italy, Czech Republic, Portugal. Many offer courses in English.
Where to start:
- Search for “tuition-free degrees in Europe for international students”
- Apply directly to universities or use study-in-Europe platforms
- Once accepted, apply for a student visa but have a look at the visa requirements beforehand to make sure you’ve got all you need.
Pro Tip: Combine a Master’s degree with a part-time job or freelance work for a long-term budget move.
Don’t forget to bookmark this page if you want to find out how to move to Europe. I’ll try to add more options as soon as I find more!
This was a post about how to move to Europe on a budget.
