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Teaching in Europe

Europe is often overlooked by new TEFL teachers, but it remains one of the strongest TEFL markets in the world. Its close proximity to the UK makes it an attractive option for those looking to stay closer to home while still immersing themselves in a new culture.

English teachers earn a comfortable wage in most European countries.

The teaching English market in Europe is one of the most developed in the world. With strong cultural and business ties to the English-speaking world, learning English is taken very seriously in Europe. Children tend to start learning English from a very young age, however there remains a large market in teaching English to adults in many European countries.

The main hiring season starts at the end of summer in preparation for September term time. Interviewing is often carried out closer to the beginning of terms than many other regions. There is a secondary hiring season after Christmas in January.

English teachers earn a comfortable wage in most European countries. Europe can be a good choice for newly qualified TEFL teachers from the UK, as you will always feel close to home and there are significant cultural similarities.

Teaching requirements by country

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	6 - 12 months	October - June	EU citizenship or work visa	Business professionals, children	1,100 - 2,800 EUR (930 - 2,350 GBP)	1,100 - 2,800 EUR (930 - 2,350 GBP)
Belgium	BA/BS required	12 months	September/October and January	EU citizenship or work visa	Business professionals, children	1,500 - 2,000 EUR (1,555 - 1,670 GBP)	1,500 - 2,000 EUR (1,555 - 1,670 GBP)
Croatia	BA/ BS degree required	12 – 24 months	year-round	work visa unless EU national	children, adults	3 500 – 5 000 HKR (400 – 570 GBP)	8 000 – 10 000 HKR (920 – 1 100 GBP)
Czech Republic	BA/BS required	6 – 12 months	August, September and January, February	Work permit or EU passport	Students, professionals	CZK 8000 – CZK 15 000 (£210 – £ 400)	CZK 20 000 – CZK 30 000 (£530 – £ 800)
Finland	BA/BS required	6 – 12 months	August, December	Residence permit based on employment or EU passport	Students, professionals	EUR 1 200 – EUR 1 500 (£865 – £1 000)	EUR 1 200 – EUR 2 500 (£865 – £1 800)
France	BA/BS required	9 – 12 months	September and January	EU citizenship or work visa	Business professionals, children	1,000 – 1,700 EUR (837 - 1,423 GBP)	1,295 – 2,000 EUR (1,100 - 1,675 GBP)
Georgia	BA/BS required	3 – 12 months	August, January	Tourist visa	Children, adults	GEL 450 – GEL 1 800 (£135 – £550)	GEL 670 – GEL 4 500 (£200 – £1 400)
Germany	BA/BS required	12 months	January - December	EU citizenship or work visa	Business professionals, children	1,100 – 2,500 EUR (920 - 2,093 GBP)	1,100 – 2,800 EUR (920 - 2,345 GBP)
Greece	Not required	6- 12 Months	September & January	EU citizenship or work visa	Business professionals, children	1,000 – 1,500 EUR (833 - 1,250 GBP)	1,000 – 1,500 EUR (833 - 1,250 GBP)
Hungary	BA/BS required	12 months	All year round	Work visa in advance	Business professionals, children	150,000 – 250,000 HUF (420 - 700 GBP)	150,000 – 250,000 HUF (420 - 700 GBP)
Ireland	BA/ BS degree preferred	variable	year-round	work permit, unless you are an EU citizen	adults, students	1 200 – 1 500 EUR (1 000 – 1 300 GBP)	20 EUR/hour (17 GBP/hour
Italy	BA/BS required	9 - 12 months	September and January	EU citizenship or work visa	Business professionals, children	800-1,500 EUR (670 -1,255 GBP)	800-1,500 EUR (670 - 1,255 GBP)
Netherlands	BA/BS required	9 – 12 months	August, December	Work permit or EU passport	Children, students, adults	EUR 1200 – EUR 1400 (£850 – £1000)	EUR 1600 – EUR 2100 (£1150 – £1500)
Norway	BA/BS required	6 – 12 months	September to December	Work permit for non-EU passports	Students, professionals	NOK 20 000 – NOK 30 000 (£1 700 – £2 600)	NOK 25 000 – NOK 30 000 (£2 100 – £ 2 600)
Poland	Not required	9 - 12 Months	October and January	EU citizenship or working visa	Business professionals	700 – 1,400 EUR (586 - 1,170 GBP)	700 – 1,400 EUR (586 - 1,170 GBP)
Portugal	BA/BS required	9 - 12 Months	September - June	EU citizenship or working visa	Business professionals, children	700 – 1,400 EUR (586 - 1,170 GBP)	700 – 1,400 EUR (586 - 1,170 GBP)
Romania	Not required	9 - 12 Months	September - June	EU citizenship or tourist visa convert to work visa	Business professionals, children	1,100 – 2,200 RON (205 - 410 GBP)	1,100 – 2,200 RON (205 - 410 GBP)
Russia	Not required	9 - 12 Months	September - June	Work visa	Business professionals, children	20,000 – 33,000 RUB (370 - 612 GBP)	20,000 – 33,000 RUB (370 - 612 GBP)
Slovakia	Not required	6 - 12 Months	June and September	EU citizenship or tourist visa convert to work visa	Business professionals, children	12,000 – 25,000 SK (400 - 795 GBP)	12,000 – 25,000 SK (400 - 795 GBP)
Spain	Not required	6 - 12 Months	September - October	EU Citizenship or work visa	Business professionals, children	1,000 – 1,500 EUR (833 - 1,250 GBP)	1,000 – 1,500 EUR (833 - 1,250 GBP)
Sweden	BA/BS required	9 Months	July, August	Work visa/ EU passport	Adults, professionals	SEK 10 000 – SEK 20 000 (£775 – £1 500)	SEK 18 500 – SEK 23 000 (£1 400 – £1 800)
Switzerland	BA/BS required	6 – 12 months	September, January	B visa	Students, adults	CHF 2 000 – CHF 2 500 (£1 400 – £1 700)	CHF2 300 – CHF 4 000 (£1 600 – £2 800)
Turkey	Not required	6 - 12 Months	Year-round language schools, September - public and private schools	Work visa	Business professionals, children	3,390 – 5,085 TRY (500 - 750 GBP)	5.085 – 12,205 TRY (750 - 1,800 GBP)
Turkey	Not required	6 - 12 Months	Year-round language schools, September - public and private schools	Work visa	Business professionals, children	3,390 – 5,085 TRY (500 - 750 GBP)	5.085 – 12,205 TRY (750 - 1,800 GBP)
UK	BA/BS required	3 - 12 Months	April - May, summer holidays	EU Citizenship or work visa	Business professionals, children	720 – 1,400 GBP	1,500 - 2,500 GBP

Argentina

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6 - 12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

January - September

Visa Info:

Tourist visa convert to work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

3,600 - 6,100 ARS (370 GBP - 630 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

3,600 - 6,100 ARS (370 GBP - 630 GBP)

Bhutan

Degree Requirement:

BA/ BS/BEd degree preferred but not required

Typical Contract Length:

12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

December, January and May, June

Visa Info:

work visa

Typical Students:

children, adults, monks

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

10 000 – 15 000 BTN (120 – 180 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

approx. 20 000 – 30 000 BTN (240 – 360 GBP)

Bolivia

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

1 - 12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

January - February and June - July

Visa Info:

Tourist visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

2,780 - 4,174 BOB (250 - 375 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

2,780 - 4,174 BOB (250 - 375 GBP)

Brazil

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

1 - 6 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

March - August

Visa Info:

Tourist visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

1,850 - 3,555 BRL (250 - 375 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

1,850 - 3,555 BRL (250 - 375 GBP)

Cambodia

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6-12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

All year round

Visa Info:

Tourist visa convert to work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

1,973,453 - 4,473,160 KHR (300 - 680 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

2,861,507 - 4,473,160 KHR (435 - 680 GBP)

Colombia

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6 - 12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

March - August

Visa Info:

Work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

958,962 - 1,342,550 COP (310 - 435 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

1,342,550 - 1,917,000 COP (435 - 620 GBP)

Costa Rica

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6 - 12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

October - December

Visa Info:

Tourist visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

240,000 - 400,000 CRC (300 - 500 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

252,000 - 544,400 CRC (315 - 680 GBP)

Ecuador

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6 - 12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

February - March and July - August

Visa Info:

Tourist visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

400 - 700 USD (250 - 435 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

400 - 800 USD (250 - 496 GBP)

Egypt

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

3 - 24 Months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

May -August, all year round

Visa Info:

Tourist visa convert to work visa or work visa in advance.

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

3,370 – 7,860 EGP (300 – 700 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

5,500 – 12,350 EGP (490 – 1,100 GBP)

Greece

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6- 12 Months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

September & January

Visa Info:

EU citizenship or work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

1,000 – 1,500 EUR (833 - 1,250 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

1,000 – 1,500 EUR (833 - 1,250 GBP)

India

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6 – 12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

Year-round

Visa Info:

Work permit

Typical Students:

Students, professionals

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

36 000 INR – 55 000 INR (£100 – £ 600)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

32 000 INR – 59 000 INR (£ 350 – £680)

Indonesia

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

All year round

Visa Info:

Work visa in advance

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

6,000,000 - 9,000,000 IDR (350 - 500 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

10,000,000 - 13,500,000 IDR (550 - 750 GBP)

Jordan

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6 - 12 Months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

July - August, all year round

Visa Info:

Tourist visa convert to work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

695 – 930 JOD (600 – 800 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

695 – 930 JOD (600 – 800 GBP)

Lebanon

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6- 12 Months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

All year round

Visa Info:

Tourist visa convert to work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

775 – 1,550 LBP (315 – 630 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

775 – 1,550 LBP (315 – 630 GBP)

Madagascar

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

9 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

Year-round

Visa Info:

Work visa

Typical Students:

Children,adults

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

MGA 1 800 000 – MGA 2 500 000 (£400 – £ 550)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

MGA 2 500 000 – MGA 3 700 000 (£ 550 – £ 814)

Mexico

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6 – 12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

May - August

Visa Info:

Work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

3,870 - 9,100 MXP (185 - 435 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

5,230 - 19,460 MXP (250 - 930 GBP)

Morocco

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6- 12 Months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

All year round

Visa Info:

Tourist visa convert to work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

4,000 - 10,000 MAD (295 – 740 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

4,000 - 10,000 MAD (295 – 740 GBP)

New Zealand

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

Monthly

Peak Hiring Seasons:

January, June, November

Visa Info:

Working Holiday visa

Typical Students:

Students, professionals

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

NZD 1300 – NZD 1550 (£1000 – £1500)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

NZD 3350 – NZD 5000 (£1665 – £2500)

Panama

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6 - 12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

March - August

Visa Info:

Tourist visa or work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

700 - 1,000 PAB (185 - 620 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

800 - 2,500 PAB (250 - 1,460 GBP)

Paraguay

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6 – 12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

March

Visa Info:

Work permit

Typical Students:

Students

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

PYG 7 500 000 – PYG 10 000 000 (£1 100 – £ 1 400)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

PYG 5 000 000 – PYG 10 000 000 (£ 670 – £ 1 340)

Peru

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6 - 12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

All year round

Visa Info:

Tourist visa or work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

800-1,500 PEN (175 - 330GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

1,120-2,240 PEN (250 - 495 GBP)

Poland

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

9 - 12 Months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

October and January

Visa Info:

EU citizenship or working visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

700 – 1,400 EUR (586 - 1,170 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

700 – 1,400 EUR (586 - 1,170 GBP)

Romania

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

9 - 12 Months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

September - June

Visa Info:

EU citizenship or tourist visa convert to work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

1,100 – 2,200 RON (205 - 410 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

1,100 – 2,200 RON (205 - 410 GBP)

Russia

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

9 - 12 Months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

September - June

Visa Info:

Work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

20,000 – 33,000 RUB (370 - 612 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

20,000 – 33,000 RUB (370 - 612 GBP)

Slovakia

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6 - 12 Months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

June and September

Visa Info:

EU citizenship or tourist visa convert to work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

12,000 – 25,000 SK (400 - 795 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

12,000 – 25,000 SK (400 - 795 GBP)

South Africa

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

Monthly

Peak Hiring Seasons:

Year-round, especially October

Visa Info:

Work permit

Typical Students:

University students, professionals

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

approx. R7 500 – R8 500 (£415 – £480)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

approx. R10 000 – R12 000 (£550 – £680)

Spain

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6 - 12 Months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

September - October

Visa Info:

EU Citizenship or work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

1,000 – 1,500 EUR (833 - 1,250 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

1,000 – 1,500 EUR (833 - 1,250 GBP)

Sri Lanka

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

12 Months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

Year-round

Visa Info:

Work permit

Typical Students:

Children,adults

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

50 000 LKR – 80 000 LKR (£250 – £400)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

25 000LKR – 50 000LKR (£130 – £260)

Turkey

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6 - 12 Months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

Year-round language schools, September - public and private schools

Visa Info:

Work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

3,390 – 5,085 TRY (500 - 750 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

5.085 – 12,205 TRY (750 - 1,800 GBP)

Turkey

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6 - 12 Months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

Year-round language schools, September - public and private schools

Visa Info:

Work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

3,390 – 5,085 TRY (500 - 750 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

5.085 – 12,205 TRY (750 - 1,800 GBP)

Uruguay

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6 - 12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

March - August

Visa Info:

Work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

6,230 - 10,435 UYU (185 - 310 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

6,230 - 10,435 UYU (185 - 310 GBP)

Please note the information provided above is given as a general guide only. Information and currency conversions were correct at the time of publication, but they may change at any time.

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