TEACHING IN EUROPE
Europe has the most highly developed English market in the world. With most children learning English from a young age, English levels are pretty high, which in turn means there is less demand for native English teachers in schools. However, jobs are still plentiful for teaching English to adults in many European countries.
In Western Europe, you may be able to earn up to £1,800 a month, but remember that the cost of living is also high. You can earn a decent living in some of the Eastern European countries, but bear in mind that there is plenty of competition for jobs in some of the more popular cities (like Prague, for example) so newly-qualified TEFL teachers may find it difficult to get work here. There are still plenty of jobs in Italy or Spain but salaries are lower, and often you will only earn hourly wages. This means having to juggle different jobs with several language centers.
The main hiring season is towards the end of summer to begin work in September, with a secondary season in January.
In Western Europe, you may be able to earn up to £1,800 a month, but remember that the cost of living is also high. You can earn a decent living in some of the Eastern European countries, but bear in mind that there is plenty of competition for jobs in some of the more popular cities (like Prague, for example) so newly-qualified TEFL teachers may find it difficult to get work here. There are still plenty of jobs in Italy or Spain but salaries are lower, and often you will only earn hourly wages. This means having to juggle different jobs with several language centers.
The main hiring season is towards the end of summer to begin work in September, with a secondary season in January.
| Country | Degree Requirement | Typical Contract Length | Peak Hiring Seasons | Visa Info | Typical Students | Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency | Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Austria  |
BA/BS Required | 10 & 12 months | Sept & Jan | Tourist Visa, EU Citizenship | Business Professionals | £800- 1250 GBP (1,800-2,500 Euro) | £1,550-2,150 GBP (1,800-2,500 Euro) |
Belgium  |
BA/BS Required | 10 & 12 months | Sept & Jan | Tourist Visa, EU Citizenship | Business Professionals | £800-1100 GBP (1,600-2,000 Euro) | £1,400-2,250 GBP (1,600-2,000 Euro) |
Bulgaria  |
BA/BS Not Required | 9 & 12 months | Sept & Jan | Tourist Visa, convert to work visa or EU Citizenship | Business Professionals | £350-530 GBP (800-1,200 BGN) | £650-830 GBP (800-1,200 BGN) |
Czech Republic  |
BA/BS Required | 10 & 12 months | Sept & Jan | Tourist Visa, convert to work visa or EU Citizenship | Business Professionals | £420-600 GBP (15,000-20,000 CZK) | £720-900 GBP (15,000-20,000 CZK) |
France  |
BA/BS Required | 10 & 12 months | Sept & Jan | Tourist Visa, EU Citizenship | Business Professionals | £875-1,250 GBP (1,600-2,000 Euro) | £1,375-2,250 GBP (1,600-2,000 Euro) |
Germany  |
BA/BS Required | 10 & 12 months | Sept & Jan | Tourist Visa, convert to work visa or EU Citizenship | Business Professionals | £800-1,250 GBP (1,600-2,000 Euro) | £1,375-2,250 GBP (1,600-2,000 Euro) |
Greece |
BA/BS Required | 10 & 12 months | Sept & Jan | Tourist Visa, EU Citizenship | Business Professionals | £500-650 GBP (800-1,000 Euro) | £800-1150 GBP (800-1,000 Euro) |
Hungary |
BA/BS Required | 10 & 12 months | Sept & Jan | Tourist Visa, convert to work visa or EU Citizenship | Business Professionals | £400-600 GBP (150,000 -200,000 HUF) | £635-800 GBP (150,000 -200,000 HUF) |
Italy |
BA/BS Required | 10 & 12 months | Sept, Oct & Jan | Tourist Visa, EU Citizenship | Business Professionals | £800-1,200 GBP (1,200-1,400 Euro) | £1,030-1,600 GBP (1,200-1,400 Euro) |
Poland |
BA/BS Not Required | 9 & 12 months | Sept, Oct, & Jan | Tourist Visa, EU Citizenship | Business Professionals | £400-550 GBP (2,500-2,800 PLN) | £600-850 GBP 2,500-2,800 PLN |
Portugal |
BA/BS Required | 10 & 12 months | Sept & Jan | Tourist Visa, EU Citizenship | Business Professionals | £650-850 GBP (1,100-1,400 Euro) | £950-1,400 GBP (1,100-1,400 Euro) |
Romania  |
BA/BS Not Required | 9 & 12 months | Sept & Jan | Tourist Visa, convert to work visa or EU Citizenship | Business Professionals | £220-300 GBP (1,100-1,400 RON) | £520-700 GBP (1,100-1,400 RON) |
Russia |
BA/BS Not Required | 6, 9 & 12 months | All Year Round | Work visa | Business Professionals | £370-500 GBP (18,500-25,000 RUB) | £670-900 GBP (18,500-25,000 RUB) |
Slovakia  |
BA/BS Not Required | 6 & 12 months | Sept & Jan | Tourist Visa, convert to work visa or EU Citizenship | Business Professionals | £370-570 GBP (13,000-20,000 SKK) | £670-870 GBP (13,000-20,000 SKK) |
Spain  |
BA/BS Not Required | 10 & 12 months | Sept, Oct & Jan | Tourist Visa, EU Citizenship | Business Professionals | £600-1,100 GBP (800-1,200 Euro) | £1,300-1,600 GBP (1,200-1,800 Euro) |
Turkey  |
BA/BS Required | 6 & 12 months | All Year Round | Work visa | Business Professionals | £590-800 GBP (1,700-3,500 TRY) | £890-1,400 GBP (1,700-3,500 TRY) |
