Europe has always been one of the most popular destinations for English teachers due to the locations, culture, salaries, and demand. The ESL job market is booming and more and more countries are now becoming hotspots. Countries like France, Spain are some of the most popular destinations but now there are more positions in up and coming countries like the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland.
Featured Opportunities
Best Places to Teach in Europe
You can apply for teaching jobs throughout the European continent, even in countries with native English speakers.
These are some the most popular TEFL destinations in Europe:
• Austria
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Italy
• Malta
• Poland
• Portugal
• Slovakia
• Spain
Other Countries:
• Armenia • Belgium • Cyprus • Georgia • Ireland • Norway • Romania • Russia • Switzerland • Turkey • United Kingdom
TEFL Courses in Europe
Get TEFL certified in Europe and choose between hundreds of on-site courses around the continent. These courses can be a lot of fun where you learn new skills, meet new people and also get a worldwide recognised certification. Some companies also offer guaranteed job offers on completion of a course.
English Teaching Jobs in Europe
TEFL jobs can be found at English language schools, international schools, training centres or by giving private tutoring. Browse our country guides for more information about specific destinations and also to view recommended local recruiters.
Teaching English abroad in Europe can be difficult, especially for those with little experience or with a non-European passport. Stiff European Union visa rules keep many people out and countries are required to hire within the European Union first, which means they tend to look for teachers from the UK/Europe before they look for teachers from anywhere else. That being said it’s not impossible to do. Many Americans do teach in Europe.
Demand for teachers varies from country to country as some countries put a lot more emphasis on learning English than others. Countries like France and Germany don’t make it a high priority while Holland, Scandinavian countries, and Eastern Europe place more emphasize on learning the language. Currently, the best bet at finding a job is in the Eastern European countries. Salaries may be low there and you won’t walk away with much in terms of savings but cost of living is very low and the area is much more dynamic than Western Europe.
Teach English in Eastern Europe
The vast area of Central and Eastern Europe changed dramatically following the quiet revolutions of 1989 and 1990, and resulted in a large demand for native English speakers as free market rules took over. This varied region of ancient architecture, hearty food, and cold winters is still high on the list of good places to teach English during a career break or gap year. And as many of the countries have joined the EU, there is not much red tape in finding a job if you’re from Europe!
But because demand has decreased slightly, a good bet is to enrol in a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) course, which provides all the basics that prospective teachers need. And you have a higher chance of bagging a job if you hand in your CV directly to the school or institution, so taking the one-month course in the city in which you plan to teach could improve your chances further. So in the final part of our guide to TEFL teaching around the world, we focus on this beautiful region of cold beer, medieval architecture, and meaty dishes.
TEFL Salaries in Europe
Salaries in Europe tend to be lower than Asia. Though actual real money value might be higher since you are being paid in Euros, your earning power is a lot less. Not only is Europe more expensive but taxes are also very high. Teacher salaries vary a lot from country to country but, on average, you can earn around $2500 USD a month in Western Europe. In Eastern Europe, salaries are lower but so is the cost of living. Salaries are usually about $1000 USD a month in Eastern Europe.
In countries like France and Italy, you won’t get paid a lot and the Covid crisis as of late has really curtailed the job market. Moreover, rigid labor laws mean there isn’t a lot of job flexibility in the region.
That being said jobs in international schools and as tutors can be easily had for teachers with the qualifications and experience – even if you are not an E.U. citizen.
Though salaries are nothing to write home about, the standard of living in Europe is very high. You’ll live comfortably, have access to good health care, and be able to get by. Just don’t dream of being rich. Plus, you’re in Europe. Everything is a short train ride away and you can spend the weekends visiting a million different places.
FAQ
Requirements
For most recruiters you will not be required to have a degree or previous professional teaching experience to work as an English language teacher in Europe. We highly recommend obtaining you TEFL certification before applying for jobs in Europe as this will boost your chances of getting hired.
Languages
If you are keen to work in a European country where English isn’t the native language we recommend learning at least the basics of the local language. This will boost your employment prospects and also make integration easier.
Visa
For countries within the EU if you are an EU citizen you will not need a visa. But for non-EU countries, or for non-EU nationals, you will usually need a visa and get a job offer prior to arriving. Most employers can help with this.
Europe TEFL Reviews & Testimonials
If you have been to teach in Europe and would like to share your experience please contact us.
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