I’ve now lived in four European countries (Spain, France, Italy, and back to Spain), and I can tell you: moving abroad is one of the most rewarding, challenging, and life-changing experiences you can have. It’s also WAY more complicated than anyone tells you.

This guide is everything I wish someone had told me before I moved: from choosing where to live and navigating visa bureaucracy, to finding an apartment and understanding cultural nuances, like why your Italian neighbors think you’re insane for eating dinner at 6pm.

Whether you’re planning to study abroad for a semester, work in Europe for a few years, or make a more permanent move, this guide covers the practical stuff AND the cultural realities that no one talks about.

Should You Move Abroad?

Let’s start with the real question: Is moving abroad right for you?

The Reality Check

Moving abroad is amazing. It’s also really hard. Most people don’t realize how much it will affect you. Before you book that one-way ticket, consider:

You should move abroad if:

• You’re open to discomfort and growth
• You can handle bureaucracy and language barriers
• You’re willing to start over socially (starting a community as an adult SUCKS)
• You want to genuinely understand another culture
• You can be flexible when things don’t go as planned (they won’t)

You might want to reconsider if:

• You expect everything to be like home
• You’re running away from problems (they’ll follow you)
• You can’t handle being the “foreigner”
• You need constant comfort and familiarity

What You’ll Sacrifice

Let’s be honest about the hard parts:

• Missing family events and holidays
• Feeling like you don’t fully belong anywhere
• Starting over every time you move
• Complicated romantic relationships
• Career complications (depending on your field)
• Visa stress and uncertainty

Bottom line: If you’re curious about moving abroad, my advice is to try it. You can always come home, but you’ll regret not trying.

Choosing Where to Live

There are 196 official countries in the world – so, how do you pick?
As my expertise is in Europe, most of this guide will focus on European countries. However, almost everything is applicable to wherever you may find yourself in the world.

Consider These Factors

Language: Do you want to learn a new language or stick with English-friendly countries?

• Easiest for English speakers: Netherlands, Germany, Scandinavia, UK & Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore
• Romance languages: Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, Latin America (easier to learn)
• More challenging: Eastern European languages, Asian languages

Cost of Living: Your money goes MUCH further in some countries than others.

• Most expensive: Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, UK, Japan
• Moderate: France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, China, South Korea
• Budget-friendly: Portugal, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Balkan, Southeast Asia, parts of Latin America

Job Market: Where can you actually work?

• Best for English speakers: UK, Ireland, Netherlands, Germany
• Tech hubs: Berlin, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Lisbon
• Teaching English: Spain, Italy, Czech Republic, Southeast Asia, Latin America
• Visa Accessibility: Some countries make it easier than others (more on this below).

Study Abroad Guide

Study abroad is the easiest way to experience living somewhere else, and honestly, one of the best decisions you can make in college.

Why Study Abroad?
Beyond the obvious (travel, adventure, Instagram photos), study abroad:

• Looks great on resumes
• Builds independence and problem-solving skills
• Creates a network of international friends
• Gives you a taste of living abroad with built-in support
• Might be your only chance to live abroad if visas are complicated later (!!!!)

For a deeper dive, check my 10 Reasons Why You Should Study Abroad.

Choosing Where to Study

Most Popular Countries: UK, Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Australia

Consider:

• Do you want to learn a language?
• City size preference?
• What’s your program’s offerings?
• Cost differences (Certain parts of the world are SO MUCH cheaper)

I’ve ranked the 15 Best Cities to Study Abroad in Europe to give you a few ideas!

Practical Preparation

Timeline:
12 months before: Research programs, start applications
9-10 months before: Apply, get accepted, start visa process
6 months before: Book housing, plan courses
3 months before: Get visa, book flights, pack
1 month before: Panic (normal), finalize details

Student Visas: Different from tourist visas! Usually, if you’re staying more than 90 days, you’ll need:

• Acceptance letter from university
• Proof of financial means
• Health insurance
• Sometimes: housing proof, background check

What to Pack: Don’t overpack! You can buy most things there. See my Study Abroad Gift Guide for essentials and my Winter Packing List for Europe if you’re arriving in cold months (spring and fall semester).

Visas & Legal Requirements

Buckle up!  This is the least fun but most important part.

Types of Long-Term Visas
Student Visa
For: Full-time university students
Duration: Semester to 1+ years
Work rights: Limited (varies by country)
Easiest to get for first-time movers

Work Visa/Permit
For: Those with a job offer
Duration: Contract length
Requirements: Employer sponsorship (hard to get)
Easiest in: Netherlands, Germany, UK (for skilled workers)

Freelance/Self-Employment Visa
For: Digital nomads, freelancers
Duration: 1-2 years, renewable
Available in: Spain, Portugal, Germany, Czech Republic
Requirements: Proof of income, clients

Language Assistant/Au Pair
For: Teaching English or childcare
Duration: Academic year
Popular in: Spain, France, Italy, Southeast Asia, China
Pay: Low but includes room/board

The Visa Process (General)

Step 1: Research (6-8 months before)

Every country is different.

Check:
Official embassy/consulate website
Expat forums (Reddit, Facebook groups)
Recent experiences (rules change constantly)

Step 2: Gather Documents (3-4 months before) 
Common requirements:

• Valid passport (6+ months validity)
• Proof of financial means (bank statements)
• Health insurance
• Criminal background check
• Purpose documents (job offer, acceptance letter, etc.)
• Application forms
• Passport photos (specific sizes)
• Visa fee (€60-€200)

Pro tip: Everything needs to be original, recent (usually within 3 months), and often apostilled or officially translated.

Step 3: Apply (2-3 months before)

• Book appointment at embassy/consulate
• Submit application in person (usually)
• Wait (2 weeks to 3 months)
• Don’t book flights until you have your visa!

Step 4: Arrive & Register

After arriving, you usually need to:

• Register your address with local authorities
• Get residence card
• Sometimes: bank account, tax number, health registration

Country-Specific Visa Guides

I’ve navigated several visa processes and broken them down step-by-step:

Spain:
How to Get the Spanish NIE (foreigner ID number – you need this for EVERYTHING)
How to Get the Empadronamiento (residence registration – crucial document)
How to Get a Spanish Student Visa

Italy:
How to Get an Italian Student Visa

France:
How I Moved to France in the Middle of a Pandemic (my personal story with visa tips)
How to Get a French Student Visa

Visa Reality Check

Expect:

• Confusing information (even from official sources)
• Long wait times
• Requests for additional documents
• Bureaucratic nightmares
• Stress and uncertainty

Pro tips:

• Start early (I can’t stress this enough)
• Make copies of EVERYTHING
• Join expat Facebook groups for your specific city
• Be patient but persistent
• Sometimes you need to just show up in person
• Keep your sense of humor
• The visa process is universally awful, but it’s temporary. You’ve got this.

Finding Housing

Once you have your visa sorted, you need somewhere to live. This can be almost as stressful as visas.

Housing Options

University Housing:
Pros: Easy, meet people, included in student services
Cons: Limited, expensive, less independence
Best for: First semester abroad

Private Apartment:
Pros: Your own space, more authentic experience
Cons: Lease requirements, utility setup, furniture
Best for: Long-term stays, couples

Flat Shares:
Pros: Cheaper, instant friends/social life, furnished
Cons: Less privacy, roommate drama possible
Best for: Young professionals, students, solo movers

Homestay:
Pros: Cultural immersion, meals included, language practice
Cons: Less independence, family rules
Best for: Students, those new to the country

Finding an Apartment

Websites vary by country:

• Spain: Idealista, Fotocasa, Badi (flat shares)
• France: LeBonCoin, PAP, La Carte des Colocs
• Italy: Immobiliare.it, Casa.it, Bakeca
• Germany: ImmobilienScout24, WG-Gesucht
• General: Spotahome, HousingAnywhere, Facebook groups

Warning: Scams are common! Never send money before seeing the place or meeting the landlord in person.

I wrote a detailed guide: How to Find an Apartment in Paris (principles apply to other cities too).

What You Need

Documents landlords typically require:

• Proof of income (payslips, bank statements)
• Work contract or student status
• Previous address
• NIE/residence permit
• Sometimes: guarantor, deposit (1-3 months rent)

Pro tip: Stay in an Airbnb for the first week or two while you apartment hunt in person if you can manage it. You’ll get a feel for neighborhoods and can view places. Plus, seeing an apartment in person is wayyyyy different than online.

Managing Your Money

Money abroad is more complicated than you think.

Opening a Bank Account

Do you need one?
Short term (< 6 months): Maybe not
Long term: YES, for receiving salary, paying rent, utilities

Requirements usually include:

• Passport
• Proof of address (empadronamiento, lease)
• NIE or residence permit
• Sometimes: work contract, university letter

Best banks for expats:
Spain: BBVA, Santander, Revolut 
France: BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole
Italy: UniCredit, Intesa Sanpaolo
Multi-country: Revolut, N26, Wise (online banks, easy setup)

Online banks: Revolut and Wise are lifesavers for:

• No fees on foreign transactions
• Easy account opening
• Multiple currencies
• Great exchange rates

I recommend Revolut if you’re a frequent traveler or going to be abroad for less than 6 months. For one, EVERYONE has Revolut, so it’s super easy to transfer money to friends. You also are able to transfer currencies for cheap and it’s great as an in-between until you’re able to open up a local account. However, I still use Revolut for every country I go to.

Transferring Money

Never use bank transfers – fees and exchange rates are terrible.

Best options:

Wise (formerly TransferWise): Good rates, transparent fees (I used to use Wise and it works really well. I just sometimes had issues logging in so I’ve lately been using Revolut more and more)

Revolut: Good for regular transfers

Western Union: Fast but expensive

Keep accounts in both countries for the first year. It makes transitions easier.

Taxes

Important: You might owe taxes in multiple countries!

General rules:

• If you work, you pay taxes in the country where you work
• After 183 days in most countries, you’re considered a tax resident
• US citizens must file US taxes regardless of where they live
• Keep track of your days in each country

Get professional help – tax treaties are complex. One consultation with an international tax advisor is worth it.

Budgeting Abroad

Monthly costs (rough estimates of some European examples):

Madrid/Barcelona:
Rent (room in shared flat): €400-700
Rent (1-bed apartment): €900-1,500
Groceries: €200-300
Transport pass: €50-60
Going out: €200-400
Total: €1,500-2,500+

Paris:
Rent (room): €600-900
Rent (1-bed): €1,200-2,000
Groceries: €250-350
Transport pass: €75
Going out: €300-500
Total: €2,000-3,000+

Berlin:
Rent (room): €400-700
Rent (1-bed): €900-1,400
Groceries: €200-300
Transport pass: €80
Going out: €250-400
Total: €1,500-2,500+

Healthcare & Insurance

Don’t skip this section – healthcare is crucial!

Healthcare Systems

How it works varies by country:

Spain:
Excellent public healthcare (free/low cost)
Need NIE and empadronamiento to register
Private insurance also popular (€50-100/month)

France:
World-class healthcare
Social security system (pay 70-80%, you pay rest)
Mutuelle (supplementary insurance) covers the gap
Here’s a quick video on how health insurance works in France

Italy:
Public healthcare (tessera sanitaria)
Quality varies by region (north better than south)
Often long wait times

Germany:
Choose public (gesetzliche) or private (private)
Can’t easily switch between them
Excellent quality, expensive

Finding Doctors

English-speaking doctors: Ask expat groups. Sometimes there are filters on the local country’s search website as well i.e. DoctoLib in France
Emergency number: 112 (works across all EU)
Pharmacies: Can often help with minor issues
Prescriptions: Usually need doctor’s prescription

Mental Health

• Living abroad can be tough on mental health. Resources:
• Many countries have English-speaking therapists
• Online therapy (BetterHelp, Talkspace) works from anywhere
• University counseling services
• Expat support groups

It’s okay to struggle. Moving abroad is hard, and homesickness is real. More on that below.

Learning the Language

You don’t need to be fluent before you arrive, but learning the language transforms your experience.

Resources I love:
Duolingo: Free, gamified (great for starting)
Babbel: Better for grammar than Duolingo
Pimsleur: Audio-based, great for pronunciation
Lingoda: Online, small group language classes
My method:10 Top Tips for Learning a Language

Cultural Adaptation

This is the part that surprises everyone. Culture shock is real, and it happens in phases.

The Stages of Culture Shock

Honeymoon Phase (First 1-3 months): Everything is exciting! The food, the architecture, the accent – you love it all!

Frustration Phase (Months 2-6): Reality hits. Bureaucracy is annoying. You miss things from home. Everything feels hard.

Adjustment Phase (Months 6-12): You start understanding cultural norms. Things make more sense. You develop routines.

Acceptance Phase (1+ year): You feel at home. You understand the culture (even if you don’t always agree). You have a rhythm.
For more insights:The Do’s and Don’ts of Standing Out as an American in Europe

Country-Specific Culture Guides
I’ve written about the cultural adjustments in each country I’ve lived:
7 Things I Wish I Knew Before Moving to Spain
7 Things I Wish I Knew Before Moving to Italy
7 Things No One Tells You About Living in Paris
10 Things About French Culture That Still Confuse Me

Working Abroad

Want to stay longer than a student visa allows? You’ll need to work.

Finding Work

Easiest jobs for English speakers:
Teaching English: Always in demand (especially Spain, Italy, France)
Tech/IT: Remote or in tech hubs (Berlin, Amsterdam, Barcelona)
Tourism/Hospitality: Hotels, tour companies, hostels
International companies: Easier to get visa sponsorship
Freelance/Remote: If you have marketable skills

Job boards:
LinkedIn (super simple, just set location to target country)
Indeed (European versions)
Glassdoor
Country-specific sites (InfoJobs in Spain, StepStone in Germany)
Expat Facebook groups (but beware of scams!)

Language Requirements

English-only possible in:
English speaking countries
Netherlands (especially Amsterdam)
Berlin startups
Some international companies
Teaching English

Local language needed:
Most jobs in Spain, France, Italy
Customer-facing roles
Government jobs
Traditional companies

Work Visas

Work visas are definitely the main challenge in any country you go to. You usually need a job offer to get a work visa, but employers want someone who already has a work visa. 

Some potential options depending on the country:

• Start on student visa, convert to work visa
• Internal transfer from company in your home country
• EU Blue Card (for qualified professionals moving to the EU)
• Freelance visa or Digital Nomad
• Artist or Entrepreneur visa

Making Friends & Social Life 
Besides bureaucracy, this might be the hardest part of moving abroad. Making friends as an adult is hard. Making friends as an adult in a new country?? Even harder.

Where to Meet People

• Expat communities (usually Facebook groups or using the website Meetup)
• Sports/Hobby clubs (Running club or groups such as Girls Gone International)
• Work/university (Obvious one but also the easiest!)
• Language exchanges (practice a language plus meet people! Win win!)
• Apps (already mentioned Meetup but there’s also Bumble BFF, Couchsurfing, etc.)

Making Local Friends

It takes longer in a foreign country:

• Locals have established friend groups
• They’re not unfriendly, they just might not be as openly welcoming as your home culture
• Quality over quantity

Tips:

• Learn the language (crucial!)
• Show genuine interest in culture
• Be patient and persistent
• Join local activities (not expat-only)
• Live in residential neighborhoods

Dealing with Homesickness

Everyone gets homesick. Everyone. Even people who seem to have it all figured out.

When Homesickness Hits Hardest

Holidays: Christmas away from family is brutal. Plus holidays that are specific to your home country.
Life events at home: Weddings, births, funerals you can’t attend
Random moments: Seeing something that reminds you of home
Culture shock: When everything feels hard and foreign

What Helps

Stay connected:
Video calls
Group chats with friends/family
Social media (in moderation)
Send care packages both ways

Build routines:
Favorite coffee shop
Weekend rituals
Exercise habits
Cooking familiar foods

Create community:
Make plans in advance
Say yes to invitations
Host dinners
Join clubs/groups

Remember why you’re there:
Keep a gratitude journal
Take photos of beautiful moments
Make a bucket list and work through it
Remember: homesickness is temporary

When to Consider Going Home

It’s okay to go home if:
You’re genuinely unhappy (not just adjusting)
Mental health is suffering significantly
Family emergency
You achieved what you wanted to achieve

Don’t go home because:
You had a bad week
Bureaucracy is annoying
You’re in the frustration phase of culture shock
Someone at home is pressuring you

Give it at least 6 months before making major decisions. Culture shock peaks around month 3-4, then improves.

Coming Home (Reverse Culture Shock) 

Plot twist: Coming home can be harder than moving abroad.

What is Reverse Culture Shock?

You expect adjusting abroad to be hard. You don’t expect coming home to feel weird. But it does.

Common feelings:
Home feels different (it might not have changed… but you did)
Friends don’t understand your experiences
You miss your abroad life
You don’t fit in the same way anymore

Why It Happens

You’ve changed: New perspectives, values, priorities
Home hasn’t: Life continued without you
Identity crisis: Who are you now? American? European? Both?
Missing your abroad life: The friends, the lifestyle, the experiences
13 Things I Miss About Texas When I’m Abroad
I wrote this during one of my nostalgic moments because yes! You can love being abroad and still miss home.

Country-Specific Guides
Just a few posts from the countries where I’ve lived
Spain 🇪🇸
Best for: Social people, sun-lovers, language learners
Cost: €1,200-2,000/month
Language barrier: High (Spanish essential outside big cities)
Job market: Tough but improving

Guides:
7 Things I Wish I Knew Before Moving to Spain
How to Get the Spanish NIE
How to Get the Empadronamiento
How to Get a Spanish Student Visa

France 🇫🇷
Best for: Culture lovers, foodies, career-focused
Cost: €1,500-2,500+/month (Paris much higher)
Language barrier: High (French strongly preferred)
Job market: Good in Paris, harder elsewhere

Guides:
7 Things No One Tells You About Living in Paris
10 Things About French Culture That Still Confuse Me
How to Find an Apartment in Paris
How I Moved to France in the Middle of a Pandemic

Italy 🇮🇹
Best for: Quality-of-life seekers, artists, foodies
Cost: €1,000-2,000/month
Language barrier: High (Italian essential)
Job market: Limited, especially for non-EU

Guides:
7 Things I Wish I Knew Before Moving to Italy
How to Get an Italian Student Visa

Other Countries
I haven’t lived in these but have extensive experience traveling:
Germany: Great for careers, efficiency lovers, stability seekers
Netherlands: Great for English speakers, cyclists, international vibe
Portugal: Growing expat hub, affordable, beautiful
UK: Easy language-wise, expensive, post-Brexit complications

Frequently Asked Questions 

Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?

Moving abroad is hard. Visas are a nightmare. Bureaucracy will make you cry. You’ll miss home. You’ll question your decision.

But you’ll also:

• Understand the world differently
• Build confidence you didn’t know you could have
• Make friends from around the world
• Create memories you’ll treasure forever
• Become comfortable with discomfort
• And maybe even become fluent in another language

After living in four countries, dealing with countless visa offices, navigating bureaucracy in multiple languages, and starting over more times than I can count, I can tell you: It’s absolutely worth it.

The person you become through living abroad stays with you forever. The challenges make you stronger. The experiences make you richer (even if your bank account suggests otherwise).

If you’re considering moving abroad, my advice is simple: Do it. You can always come back. But you’ll regret not trying.

Ready to Make the Move?

Start here:
Choose your destination using the factors above
Research visa requirements for your situation
Start learning the language now (even basics help!)
Join expat groups for your target city
Make a budget and start saving
Create a timeline working backward from your move date
Remember: Every expat you meet who seems to have it all figured out? They were once exactly where you are now – scared, excited, unsure. The only difference is they took the leap.

You’ve got this. Welcome to the adventure.
Jori

This guide is based on my personal experiences living in Spain, France, Italy, and the US. Requirements and processes change, so always verify current information with official sources.