How to Become an Expat in Europe

Becoming an expat in Europe is one of the most consequential decisions you can ever make—and in my case, one of the best.

Where will you find your home away from home?

I’m a chemist by training, have lived abroad for seven years, and am now halfway to becoming a Swedish citizen. I left Washington, D.C. after my PhD studies to first work in a laboratory in Liverpool, England, and then moved to my current home, now in Uppsala, Sweden.

The entire process of moving abroad to Europe has been one of the hardest and yet most rewarding experiences I have had. As is often with things in life, there are ebbs and flows, the good and the bad with regards to the expatriate experience. Rest assured, it will be a decision that you are not going to regret.

Here are some insights into my experience and how to become an expat in Europe.

How to become an expat in Europe

If you’re asking if you can move to Europe to live and work, the good news is that it’s certainly possible. However, there is no one-size-fits-all experience when trying to achieve the goal of living in Europe as an American; everything will depend on the country you want to live in, the visa process, your profession, and your skillset, among other criteria.

In order to qualify for a residence/work permit in a foreign country, the bare minimum requirements typically involve being able to show that you can support yourself (often by providing a bank statement) and having a company sponsor your visa.

Here are some more considerations when becoming an expat in Europe:

1. Assess your “readiness”

Being an expat in Europe would be amazing—but unfortunately it’s not the easiest process.

One must first ask themselves how realistic becoming an expat is. Financially, can you support yourself while you get settled in? Mentally, can you handle a new environment, new language, new climate? Professionally, will this move adversely affect your overall job opportunities and goals? Overall, how can I live in Europe as an American? These are the types of questions you must ask yourself before embarking on this process.

And if your answer to any of the above questions isn’t the ideal one, that’s okay. It doesn’t mean that you can’t become an expat in Europe, only that you have some additional challenges to overcome before meeting your goal. So, make a plan and get to work!

2. Make a budget

As a whole, the salaries one can expect in Europe are lower than one will receive in the U.S., with the exception of just a few countries and jobs. This is also due to higher taxes that cover more social services, such as healthcare (which in the end may turn out to be cheaper for an individual overall). Nonetheless, you should have a small savings that will enable you to support yourself while you establish your life abroad (think accommodation, food, transportation, and leisure).

3. Understand the different work culture

The working culture of Europe overall is vastly different when compared to the U.S. Not only do people get more vacation days from their employer, they are actually expected to take their days for their own health.

In my experience, the thought of working long hours to increase productivity is an antiquated concept that the U.S. still practices. The mindset here is that if you allow the individual their time to recharge and pursue personal passions, they will be a happier and more productive employee.

4. Prepare for cultural differences

Don’t equate Europe with the United States. They are vastly different places!

You want to ensure that you know what you’re getting yourself into with regards to local living. Do some research in terms of cultural norms in your destination of interest, such as what is considered offensive, the tipping culture, and perception of Americans in general. For example, Swedes are fond of American culture since they grow up with American movies and pop culture. Therefore their behavior towards Americans is (usually) positive.

5. Anticipate a language barrier

The importance of being able to express yourself and communicate with the locals cannot be overstated. In most of Europe, the English language is compulsory to take in schools and therefore most young Europeans have a great command of English and oftentimes enjoy speaking it to Americans.

Despite this, you will find a greater connection if you can learn the language of the people. Sweden, for example, has SFI (Swedish for Immigrants) courses, which are free to take from beginner to advanced levels. When in doubt of where to start, go with Duolingo many months before you touch down. You will be surprised as to how much more accommodating people can be if you can speak a few phrases in their language.

Where are the best places to live in Europe for expats?

I want to move to Europe, but where should I move to? This is a question all expats ask themselves! Be sure to take a considerable amount of time to do some research into your countries of interest. Here are my top recommendations, if you’re still wondering where the best places are to plant roots for your expat life in Europe.

1. Best for Quality of Life: Northern Europe (Norway, Iceland, Sweden, Denmark, Finland)

These countries are more difficult with regards to receiving a visa for work. As a person who has made Sweden his home for four years now, the application process for living here was well worth any hardships since the quality of life in Sweden (and other Nordic countries) is among the best in the world. I am truly a much happier person these days compared to my life in the U.S. (I am biased, but Sweden is the best place to live in Europe for expats.)

2. Best for Digital Nomads: Estonia, Georgia, Croatia, Malta, Latvia

These countries are friendly to digital nomads—those who work remotely and have the flexibility to work from anywhere (more on this profession later). Bear in mind that each country has their own threshold for allowing digital nomads to work on their soil. The criteria they focus on are visa length (usually one year with option for renewal) and their income requirement (which must be adequate enough to support yourself when factoring in the country’s economics).

3. Best for Affordability: Spain, Portugal, and the Czech Republic

Spain is affordable, but you may want to set yourself a tapas and cerveza budget!

In terms of expenses and the ability to live cheaply, target applying to one of these countries to really get the most value for your dollars. Also, in my experience, the value you receive from these countries with regard to cultural entities (museums, monuments, breathtaking landscapes, historical sites) is priceless. Different regions in Spain offer vastly different climates and history, Portugal has great ocean landscapes along with the autonomous regions like the Azores and Madeira, and the Czech Republic is full of quaint towns that give such an authentic feel to Central Europe.

4. Best Salary: Switzerland

Another country with a high quality of life, Switzerland offers large salaries and incredible nature. Companies here are known for providing an excellent work-life balance for their employees. The downside is that it’s one of the most expensive countries in Europe.

5. Best Perspectives on Immigration: Germany and the Netherlands

Highly developed nations that are friendly to immigrant populations, it would be quite easy for someone to meet other like-minded people and to find their own circle of friends. The best way to get a visa here is to have an in-demand skill.

5 best jobs for expats in Europe

Although it’s quite challenging to secure a work visa in Europe (for a multitude of reasons), there are a few fields that’ll make it a little easier. These are the best jobs for expats in Europe:

1. Student

It doesn’t involve money, but it’s the most simple track to permanent employment later.

Sure, it isn’t a paying job. However, universities in Europe are always accepting international students who wish to further their studies for both undergraduate and graduate studies. Therefore, they are most competent in assisting in the visa application process for expats. Furthermore, it is often much easier to obtain a work visa in the same country you studied in, post graduation.

2. English Teacher

Although these types of positions are usually prevalent in Asian countries, there are several European ones that are also looking for English instructors. The standards can vary from country to country, however you will most likely require a TEFL certificate. Countries where this profession is in demand are Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, France, and Spain.

3. Digital Nomad

This is one of the more common avenues. Being a digital nomad means you have the chance to bring your work with you, wherever you are, usually in the form of a laptop. Often the professions that allow you such flexibility are in graphic design, programming, web design, digital marketing, or any type of editing.

Some countries even offer digital nomad visas specifically. Although not comprehensive, some of the countries offering you to work within their borders as a digital nomad include Iceland, Malta, Latvia, Greece, Estonia, Norway, Portugal, Romania, and Spain. If you have a job that allows you to work remotely, this is a rather simple process.

4. Highly Skilled Person in a Demanding Field

This is the golden ticket. If you possess skills and specialist qualifications that can be transferred abroad, most governments will oblige you by fast tracking your visa. These highly coveted jobs include technicians (HVAC, aircraft, automobiles, energy sector), medical practitioners (nurses, doctors), construction (bricklaying, masonry, carpentry), electricians, and plumbers, just to name a few.

With some of these jobs, you will have to also become aware of the standards of the country you are planning to move to. Oftentimes, the rigorous curriculum and training that the U.S. provides for these jobs is good enough for your expat country—but be sure to verify that before making any decisions.

5. Work Transfer

If you work for a multinational company, chances are they have offices in Europe. Depending on your position, you could put in for a transfer request to work abroad. This is an ideal situation considering that your company will then take care of all the necessary paperwork for you to work internationally.

Find and compare jobs abroad with MyGoAbroad—it’s free!

You’re one step closer to moving to Europe!

Ready to make moves?

The process between thinking of becoming an expat to actually becoming one can take a substantial amount of time. Despite all the logistical obstacles that may present themselves in the process, your motivation will be the single most important factor on how successful you will be on receiving your visa—as well as making a quality life for yourself. We hope these tips have shed light on this process and prove fruitful in your expat journey!

NEXT: How to Live and Work as a Digital Nomad