In most cases, you’ll be required to prove that you have adequate funds to support yourself for the duration of your stay, based on your visa. Don’t assume you’ll be able to quickly find a good-paying job in your European destination. Expect to have to rely on your savings for 3-6 months or more.
Research online and read travel and guide books to get a “feel” for different locations in Europe. Which one best matches your situation and goals? Are you, for example, looking for a lower cost of living, more job opportunities, greater cultural diversity, or the chance to immerse yourself in a particular language? For practical information, contact the embassies of countries of interest. There are 44 nations on the European continent, with distinctive cultures, languages, and traditions. Some will suit you better than others.
If you’re a US citizen, for example, you can typically stay in EU nations for up to 90 days without a visa. If you want to stay longer, you’ll need a visa that’s suited to your circumstances. Work and study visas vary widely based on type and country, but often are valid for a range of between 3 months and 1 year. Work visas tend to be difficult to get from European nations, both inside and outside the EU. You may have better luck with a student visa, so consider looking for undergraduate or graduate study opportunities in your country of interest. [3] X Research source You can also speak with an immigration attorney to learn more about your specific visa options.
If you’re a native English speaker, you may have better luck looking for work as a certified Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) instructor. Get certified in your home country before departing for Europe. While the particular rules and regulations vary by country, an employer may not be permitted to offer a job to a non-citizen unless they prove they can’t find a citizen that’s right for it. If you have a student visa, you may not be permitted to work in the country. Therefore, if you hope to move to Europe permanently, a work visa may be your better alternative.
Try to develop at least a basic grasp of the language before moving. Give yourself at least 3 months (and better yet, 6-12 months) to practice.
When it comes to taxes, there’s a lot of paperwork you’ll need to wade through to make sure you’re paying all the necessary taxes in both your home and destination countries. While the embassy staff may be able to help, you’ll probably want to work with a tax attorney or accountant who has experience with European relocations. Don’t wait until the last minute to deal with these important matters. Start working on them at least 3 months before moving.
Most EU nations will require you to take a driving test and get a license issued by them within a year. Automatic transmissions are much less common in Europe, so practice driving a manual transmission (stick shift) before you go! Public transportation tends to be great in Europe, especially in and around cities, so you may not need to drive at all.
Living in Europe can be very expensive, especially in major cities. Get used to the idea of starting out in a very small apartment!
For instance, walk-in closets are very rare in Europe—in fact, closets of any type can be hard to find! Selling non-essential items is a good way to raise some money before moving.
Each EU member state sets their own regulations for residency status and the citizenship process. The EU itself doesn’t grant citizenship. No matter which member state you move to, expect the process of obtaining citizenship to require a good bit of time (usually several years), money, and bureaucratic red tape. Note that the United Kingdom (UK) is still a member of the EU (as of March 2019), but is slated to leave the EU in the near future.
While Germany isn’t all modern hustle-and-bustle, it may not necessarily provide the more laid-back lifestyle you may find more of in southern Europe. Germany offers several types of visas, as well as numerous types of residency permits for people who want to stay for longer periods of time. Lining up a job with a German employer will make it easier for you to obtain a visa. While many Germans speak English and other languages, take the time to learn at least basic German before moving.
Start your research by contacting the nearest French embassy or consulate. French people tend to be very proud of their language, so you’ll definitely earn some points with the locals if you work on your French before moving. Paris and its surroundings offer the most work and study opportunities, but it’s also the most expensive part of France. You may find more affordable opportunities in other European cultural centers.
Italian work visas are very difficult to obtain, but student visas are fairly easy to get in comparison to other European countries. Northern Italy is generally more economically prosperous than southern Italy.
If you’ve gotten a visa and plan to stay for more than 3 months, you need to register at the local town hall when you arrive. Get the necessary information from the nearest Dutch embassy before leaving for the Netherlands. The Netherlands is very flat and bike-friendly, which might appeal to you if you live an active lifestyle. The cost of living in the Netherlands is higher than in many southern and eastern European countries, so you’ll need to build up more savings before moving. Just to clarify: the name of the country is the Netherlands. Dutch is the language, and the name for the people. Holland is a region of the Netherlands.
The UK voted by popular referendum to leave the EU in 2016, but has not officially done so as of March 2019. All indications are that it will be leaving the EU, so assume that you’re moving to a non-EU country if you choose the UK. The UK offers a range of work and student visas, so look carefully at your options. If you don’t speak English, work on your language skills before departing.
Switzerland has 4 official languages—German, French, Italian, and Romansh, but English is also widely spoken. Which language(s) you should learn will depend greatly on where in Switzerland you intend to live. Switzerland is home to many international organizations, which may present job opportunities based on your background and skills. While Switzerland is fairly welcoming to outsiders and offers a range of visa options, it is a rather lengthy and difficult process to obtain Swiss citizenship.
Becoming a legal resident of Norway, and especially a citizen, will make it easy for you to travel freely throughout the EU. Norway has a high standard of living and one of the world’s happiest populations (according to several studies), but the climate isn’t for everyone. Much of the country gets very cold and spends long stretches in darkness during the winter.
