We Moved to Europe: 6 Money-Saving Tips for Living Comfortably Abroad
Written by
Nicole Spector
Edited by
Zuri Anderson
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Thinking about moving to Europe but don’t know what you’re in for financially? Get the lowdown from other Americans who’ve already made the big move to set up fort abroad.
GOBankingRates spoke with American expats living in Europe to find out the numerous ways they save money while living abroad. You’ll see that in a couple scenarios, saving money doesn’t take really any effort at all.
This is because there are aspects of life in Europe that are systemically cheaper than life in the U.S.
Cooking High-Quality Food Is Cheaper Than Buying Junk Food
There are some ways in which life in Europe isn’t that different from life in the U.S. In either place, dining out frequently can drain your bank account. But there’s an interesting and pretty major difference between life here and life over there; in Europe, buying pre-made and often less healthy foods is costlier than cooking the good stuff.
“Cook more. Good, high-quality food is generally more affordable,” said Kevin Schreck, an American tour guide and content creator based in Valencia, Spain and the founder of Abroad in Valencia. “But junk food or ready-made meals tend to be more expensive.”
Avoid Airbnbs
Ilir Salihi, founder and senior editor at IncomeInsider.org, split his time between the U.S. and Europe (mostly France) from 2020 through 2025. Among his top money-saving tips is to avoid short-term rentals including Airbnbs.
“Although it’s convenient, it often results in paying at least 50% more in rent over local prices, and customer service can be very spotty or downright unreliable if there’s a dispute with the property owner,” Salihi said. “Your best bet is to use Facebook Marketplace or local Facebook groups to find communities that rent or sell properties without a middleman service.”
Private Schools Are Generally Way Cheaper
Here’s an example of a way in which simply living in Europe is a money-saving move: Private education. Unlike in the U.S., in parts of Europe it’s accessible even on a middle-class budget.
Cynthia Matthews von Berg, who runs the blog Porto Por Favor, moved with her spouse and two children to Porto, Portugal in 2024, noted how much more affordable top-rated private schools are in Porto than in the U.S.
“We have our kids in a top international school with a British curriculum, and pay about 1,000 euros per month for a middle schooler (around $10,000 per year),” Matthews von Berg said. “In the U.S. we could not have afforded the cost of private education.”
Go Where the Locals Go
If you’re new to a country, you’re at risk of being lured by price tourist traps designed to draw in Americans who don’t know any better. To avoid this, follow the lead of the locals.
“Figure out where the locals go for groceries, normal shopping and for eating out,” Schreck said. “My (Valencian) partner is always gasping at the price of paella in tourist-trap restaurants.”
You’ll Save a Ton on Healthcare
Jana Sanchez, an American expat living in the Netherlands and a co-founder of GTFO Tours, found one major expense plummeting after relocating to Europe: Healthcare.
“My health insurance went from $900 a month in 2024 to about 200 euros in Europe in 2025,” Sanchez said. “That 200 euros covered premium, all visits, all treatments and medications — and includes the 385 euro deductible.”
Fly Carry-On Only
Want to get the most out of Europe and visit tons of countries on a budget? Embrace no carry-on flying.
“We enjoy cheap flights around Europe,” Matthews von Berg said. “RyanAir, WizzAir and EasyJet all fly out of Porto. If you’re willing to fly carry-on only, you can often snag round trip flights for 40€ or less.”
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