World TEFL Factbook | Ultimate Guide to Teaching English Abroad

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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	460 – 915 EUR (400 - 795 GBP)	460 – 915 EUR (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

Austria

Degree Requirement:

BA/BS required

Typical Contract Length:

6 - 12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

October - June

Visa Info:

EU citizenship or work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

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

1,100 - 2,800 EUR (930 - 2,350 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

1,100 - 2,800 EUR (930 - 2,350 GBP)

Belgium

Degree Requirement:

BA/BS required

Typical Contract Length:

12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

September/October and January

Visa Info:

EU citizenship or work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

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

1,500 - 2,000 EUR (1,555 - 1,670 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

1,500 - 2,000 EUR (1,555 - 1,670 GBP)

Croatia

Degree Requirement:

BA/ BS degree required

Typical Contract Length:

12 – 24 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

year-round

Visa Info:

work visa unless EU national

Typical Students:

children, adults

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

3 500 – 5 000 HKR (400 – 570 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

8 000 – 10 000 HKR (920 – 1 100 GBP)

Czech Republic

Degree Requirement:

BA/BS required

Typical Contract Length:

6 – 12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

August, September and January, February

Visa Info:

Work permit or EU passport

Typical Students:

Students, professionals

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

CZK 8000 – CZK 15 000 (£210 – £ 400)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

CZK 20 000 – CZK 30 000 (£530 – £ 800)

Finland

Degree Requirement:

BA/BS required

Typical Contract Length:

6 – 12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

August, December

Visa Info:

Residence permit based on employment or EU passport

Typical Students:

Students, professionals

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

EUR 1 200 – EUR 1 500 (£865 – £1 000)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

EUR 1 200 – EUR 2 500 (£865 – £1 800)

France

Degree Requirement:

BA/BS required

Typical Contract Length:

9 – 12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

September and January

Visa Info:

EU citizenship or work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

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

1,000 – 1,700 EUR (837 - 1,423 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

1,295 – 2,000 EUR (1,100 - 1,675 GBP)

Georgia

Degree Requirement:

BA/BS required

Typical Contract Length:

3 – 12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

August, January

Visa Info:

Tourist visa

Typical Students:

Children, adults

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

GEL 450 – GEL 1 800 (£135 – £550)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

GEL 670 – GEL 4 500 (£200 – £1 400)

Germany

Degree Requirement:

BA/BS required

Typical Contract Length:

12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

January - December

Visa Info:

EU citizenship or work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

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

1,100 – 2,500 EUR (920 - 2,093 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

1,100 – 2,800 EUR (920 - 2,345 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)

Hungary

Degree Requirement:

BA/BS 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:

150,000 – 250,000 HUF (420 - 700 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

150,000 – 250,000 HUF (420 - 700 GBP)

Ireland

Degree Requirement:

BA/ BS degree preferred

Typical Contract Length:

variable

Peak Hiring Seasons:

year-round

Visa Info:

work permit, unless you are an EU citizen

Typical Students:

adults, students

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

1 200 – 1 500 EUR (1 000 – 1 300 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

20 EUR/hour (17 GBP/hour

Italy

Degree Requirement:

BA/BS required

Typical Contract Length:

9 - 12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

September and January

Visa Info:

EU citizenship or work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

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

800-1,500 EUR (670 -1,255 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

800-1,500 EUR (670 - 1,255 GBP)

Netherlands

Degree Requirement:

BA/BS required

Typical Contract Length:

9 – 12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

August, December

Visa Info:

Work permit or EU passport

Typical Students:

Children, students, adults

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

EUR 1200 – EUR 1400 (£850 – £1000)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

EUR 1600 – EUR 2100 (£1150 – £1500)

Norway

Degree Requirement:

BA/BS required

Typical Contract Length:

6 – 12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

September to December

Visa Info:

Work permit for non-EU passports

Typical Students:

Students, professionals

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

NOK 20 000 – NOK 30 000 (£1 700 – £2 600)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

NOK 25 000 – NOK 30 000 (£2 100 – £ 2 600)

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)

Portugal

Degree Requirement:

BA/BS required

Typical Contract Length:

9 - 12 Months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

September - June

Visa Info:

EU citizenship or working visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

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:

460 – 915 EUR (400 - 795 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

460 – 915 EUR (400 - 795 GBP)

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)

Sweden

Degree Requirement:

BA/BS required

Typical Contract Length:

9 Months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

July, August

Visa Info:

Work visa/ EU passport

Typical Students:

Adults, professionals

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

SEK 10 000 – SEK 20 000 (£775 – £1 500)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

SEK 18 500 – SEK 23 000 (£1 400 – £1 800)

Switzerland

Degree Requirement:

BA/BS required

Typical Contract Length:

6 – 12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

September, January

Visa Info:

B visa

Typical Students:

Students, adults

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

CHF 2 000 – CHF 2 500 (£1 400 – £1 700)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

CHF2 300 – CHF 4 000 (£1 600 – £2 800)

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)

UK

Degree Requirement:

BA/BS required

Typical Contract Length:

3 - 12 Months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

April - May, summer holidays

Visa Info:

EU Citizenship or work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

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

720 – 1,400 GBP

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

1,500 - 2,500 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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