How Much Money Do You Need to Move Abroad to Teach? A Realistic Budget
How Much Money Do You Need to Move Abroad to Teach?
So, you’ve decided you want to teach abroad. You’ve researched destinations, started looking at teaching jobs and maybe even caught yourself daydreaming about what your new life will look like. Now you’re ready to start planning, let’s begin with money:
How much money do you actually need to get there?
It’s one of the most important questions to ask before moving abroad, and unfortunately, there isn’t one magic number that works for every teacher.
The amount you’ll need depends on where you’re going, what your teaching contract includes, how quickly you’ll receive your first paycheque and how much you plan to spend when you arrive.
The good news? You may not need nearly as much money as you think!
Many teaching positions abroad offer benefits such as accommodation or a housing allowance, airfare, medical insurance and other relocation benefits. Your actual out of pocket costs can therefore look very different from a typical international move.
1. Start With Your Teaching Contract
Before figuring out how much money you need to save, take a close look at what your future employer is actually covering.
This can make a huge difference to your budget.
Depending on the destination and position, your teaching contract may include:
- Airfare or an airfare allowance
- Free accommodation
- A housing allowance
- Medical insurance
- Visa assistance or reimbursement
- Relocation assistance
- Paid holidays
- Contract completion bonuses
- Other allowances or benefits
That can dramatically change how much money you need upfront.
For example, a teacher who has accommodation provided by their employer doesn’t need to save the same amount as someone who needs to find and pay for their own apartment.
That’s why it’s important to look at the entire compensation package, rather than salary alone.
A job with a slightly lower salary but free accommodation could leave you with considerably more disposable income than a job with a higher salary where you’re responsible for rent.
2. Your Biggest Upfront Expense May Be Getting There
Your flight will probably be one of your largest initial expenses.
The cost can vary dramatically depending on:
- Your home country
- Your destination
- The time of year
- How far in advance you book
- Whether your employer reimburses or covers the flight
Before booking anything, check your contract carefully.
Some employers purchase flights directly, while others reimburse teachers or provide a flight allowance. The timing matters too. If you’re expected to pay for your flight upfront and receive reimbursement later, you’ll need enough savings to cover that temporary expense.
It’s also worth remembering that you’ll probably have transportation costs after landing.
You might need money for:
- Airport transportation
- Trains or buses
- Taxis
- Local transportation cards
- Transportation to your school
- Transportation while getting settled
It may not seem like much individually, but these little expenses can add up quickly during your first few days.
3. Don’t Forget About Visa and Document Costs
Moving abroad involves paperwork, and unfortunately, paperwork isn’t always free!
Depending on your destination, you may have expenses related to:
- Work visas
- Police background checks
- Medical examinations
- Document notarization
- Document authentication
- Passport applications or renewals
- Passport photos
- Shipping documents internationally
- TEFL certification, if required
The exact requirements vary by country and teaching program, so don’t assume that every destination will have the same costs.
Your recruiter will be able to help you understand what you’ll need and when you’ll need it.
4. Plan for Your First Few Weeks
This is probably the most important part of your budget.
Even if your new school provides accommodation and your salary is excellent, you probably won’t receive your first paycheque the moment you step off the plane.
You’ll need enough money to cover your everyday expenses while you get settled.
Think about:
- Groceries
- Restaurants and takeout
- Public transportation
- Phone service
- Toiletries
- Household items
- Clothing
- Entertainment
- Banking fees
- Unexpected expenses
And remember, you’re moving to a new country!
There will probably be at least a few things you didn’t anticipate buying.
Maybe your apartment doesn’t have the kitchen supplies you expected. Maybe you need a local SIM card. Maybe your first week involves several taxi rides because you’re still figuring out public transportation.
That’s normal.
Having some extra money available means these surprises don’t immediately turn into a financial emergency.
5. Your Emergency Fund Matters
Before you move abroad, try to have money set aside that isn’t part of your regular spending budget.
Think of it as your “just in case” fund.
Your emergency savings could help if:
- Your flight plans change
- Your first paycheque is delayed
- You have an unexpected medical expense
- You need to move accommodations
- Your luggage gets lost
- You need to travel home unexpectedly
- You have an unexpected visa or documentation expense
You don’t necessarily need thousands upon thousands of dollars sitting untouched in your bank account.
But you should have enough money that an unexpected expense doesn’t immediately put you in a difficult position.
The goal isn’t to predict every possible problem. It’s to give yourself some breathing room.
6. Don’t Budget Only for the Essentials
Here’s something people sometimes forget when creating a moving abroad budget.
You’re not moving abroad just to work, you’re doing it to experience another country! You’re going to want to explore!
You might want to:
- Try local restaurants
- Visit nearby cities
- Take weekend trips
- See cultural attractions
- Meet friends for coffee
- Join activities
- Buy souvenirs
- Experience the nightlife
- Travel during school holidays
You don’t have to spend a fortune, but it makes sense to include some fun money in your budget.
After all, experiencing your new home is one of the biggest reasons people choose to teach abroad in the first place!
7. So, How Much Should You Actually Save?
This is where things get tricky.
There isn’t a universal “you need $5,000” or “you need $10,000” answer.
A teacher moving into an employer provided apartment in a destination where flights and housing are covered will have very different upfront expenses from someone moving somewhere where they need to arrange their own accommodation.
Instead of choosing an arbitrary savings number, build your budget around these five categories:
Expense | Questions to Ask |
| Is my flight covered or reimbursed? |
Documents | What visas, medical checks and document fees will I pay? |
Housing | Is accommodation provided, subsidized or completely my responsibility? |
First month | How much will I need before receiving my first paycheque? |
Emergency savings | How much can I keep untouched just in case? |
Then add a little extra. Because when you’re moving halfway around the world, something will probably cost more than you expected.
A good budget isn’t about predicting every single expense perfectly. It’s about giving yourself enough flexibility that an unexpected cost doesn’t derail your plans.
8. Don’t Forget to Research the Cost of Living
Salary is only one part of the equation.
Before accepting a teaching job abroad, research what everyday life actually costs in that destination.
Look at:
- Rent
- Groceries
- Restaurants
- Transportation
- Utilities
- Mobile phone plans
- Entertainment
- Travel
- Gym memberships and other hobbies
A cost of living calculator can also be a helpful starting point when comparing destinations.
You can also compare the benefits included with different positions. A salary that looks smaller on paper may go much further when accommodation is included.
The Bottom Line
Moving abroad to teach does require some financial preparation, but it doesn’t have to be intimidating.
The most important thing is understanding what you’ll need to pay for yourself and what your employer will cover.
Start with your flight and visa costs. Add your first few weeks of everyday expenses. Set aside an emergency fund. Then give yourself a little money to actually enjoy your new home.
And remember, your salary isn’t the whole story!
Housing, airfare, healthcare and other benefits can make a major difference to your overall financial picture.
If you’re dreaming about teaching abroad but aren’t sure where to start, that’s exactly what Footprints Recruiting is here for. You don’t have to have your entire international adventure planned before taking the first step!
Ready to start exploring your options? Check out Footprints Recruiting’s teaching opportunities and see where your adventure could take you!
Apply Now
Useful Resources for Teaching Abroad
Have some questions before you apply? We’ve got you covered! You can always contact us with your questions. Additionally, we’ve put together a wealth of resources to help you along every step of the journey. We are always updating our blog with more useful information so please check back often!