Full of history and cultural diversity, Europe is a treasure trove to those who want to explore countries that are famous for their food, traditions, and culture. Along with the promise of a good quality of life, good wages, and the ability to travel to neighbouring countries easily, it is no wonder that Europe has become such a popular destination with TEFL teachers from across the globe. 

But with over 40 countries to choose from, it can be difficult to pinpoint what country may be the perfect place for you to teach English in. This is why we have compiled a list of the top 3 European countries to teach English in 2023. 

No.1: Spain

Sea, Sun and Sangria what more could anyone want? Right?

But the promise of beautiful weather and beaches aren’t the only reasons why thousands of TEFL teachers are flocking to the shores of Spain each year. It is also the high standard of living, good wages, an abundance of teaching opportunities, and an amazing social scene that have solidified Spain as one of the most popular destinations for English language teachers in Europe. Teaching salaries differ vastly in Spain depending on your teaching positions, qualifications, and living expenses. They can range anywhere between €700-€2000 euro a month, with the majority of TEFL teachers making a respectable €1000-€1500 per month. The higher paying jobs are usually found in International schools, and in the main cities in Spain, because their living expenses are much higher there in comparison to the rural countryside. 

Depending on where you base yourself in Spain and the number of teaching hours you receive per week, you can have a very comfortable life there. Rent can range from €200-€600 a month depending on where you are, with cities like Madrid and Barcelona being the most expensive. While food,drink, and other living expenses are considered quite low in comparison to other European countries.

But what are the requirements to teach there? Well, you will need :

• Fluency in English ( being a Native speaker is not mandatory )
• A TEFL, TESOL, or CELTA certificate 
• The correct visa and work permit (for Non-EU passport holders only)

* Fortunately, EU passport holders do not need a work permit to start teaching in Spain, however, non-EU passport holders do. 

A Bachelor’s degree is not a requirement to teach in Spain but it does make it more likely for you to earn a higher wage or land the more prestigious teaching positions available such as jobs in International schools. If you would like to learn more about the different jobs available in Spain read our article here or read about our 9 month Internship in Catalunya. 

No. 2: Italy 

It’s the birthplace of the Renaissance, pizza, and Gucci. Italy has it all, from its beautiful mountain topped villages to its bustling cities to its crystal clear beaches on the Mediterranean. Its renowned cuisine and culture make it a dream destination for people of all ages, but luckily with the completion of a TEFL course, this dream can become a reality for any TEFL teacher out there.

The teacher hiring period in Italy begins in early spring with most teachers beginning their jobs in September and October, which aligns with the new school year.  As a TEFL teacher you can expect to earn between €1000-€1500 a month teaching English in Italy, with the majority of work found in private language schools. You will work in the evening teaching adults or children, and typically get paid by the hour. However, it is possible to secure work in public or private schools and work during the day, you just have to explore your options. TEFL teachers who receive the higher wages in Italy usually have a Bachelor’s Degree, previous teaching experience, and are qualified to teach more specialised topics such as IELTS exam preparation courses or Business English etc. If you decide to do our Italian Internship, these courses are included in the 180 hour TEFL course provided in the Internship package. 

But is a Bachelor’s degree necessary to work in Italy? No, but it does help. These are requirements for Italy :

• Fluency in English ( being a Native speaker is not mandatory )
• A TEFL, TESOL, or CELTA certificate 
• The correct visa and work permit (for Non-EU passport holders only)

* Fortunately, EU passport holders do not need a work permit to start teaching in Italy, however, non-EU passport holders do.

TEFL teachers working in Italy will admit that they didn’t come to Italy to save money. Although you can make a very comfortable life for yourself there, especially if you shop local and eat the local cuisine, you should be there for the experience. Rent will eat the biggest chunk out of your monthly paycheck. In cities like Rome, you can expect to pay up to €800 a month on rent if you are living alone, to cut down this cost many TEFL teachers opt to live in shared apartments. By doing this, or by living in smaller areas, you can reduce your rent, and pay between €260-€600 a month. It’s almost important to be aware that the Northern part of Italy is more expensive than the South, however, it also has higher paying jobs and beautiful cities like Milan, Florence, and Rome. 

No. 3: Germany

Finally, we have Germany, home to Europe’s biggest economy. English proficiency is taken very seriously in Germany, and as a result English teaching standards are quite high. Although the majority of English language teaching jobs are freelance positions, (where you can expect to work 20 hours a week), the highly desirable contracted full-time positions found in International schools or Universities are some of the highest paying English teaching positions in Europe (€2000- €4000 euro a month). You will be expected to sign a 1-2 year contract for these roles. Experience, a TEFL qualification and a degree is required for these positions but for the majority of TEFL jobs available in language schools or public/private schools don’t require these things. 

Due to the high standard of English already being taught in schools, most of the teaching roles available focus on adult learners who want to improve their English for job purposes. Being qualified to teach Business English is an extremely beneficial skill to have, and can help you stand out against the crowd in the competitive teaching industry in Germany. 

Similar to Spain and Italy, the requirements to teach in Germany are:

• Fluency in English ( being a Native speaker is not mandatory )
• A TEFL, TESOL, or CELTA certificate
• The correct visa and work permit (for Non-EU passport holders only)

* Fortunately, EU passport holders do not need a work permit to start teaching in Germany, however, non-EU passport holders do. Also, the freelance positions are also only available to EU citizens. 

There is a big expat community in Germany, with 1 in 10 people living there being from a different country. It is so popular amongst TEFL teachers due to the high standard of living, low crime rates, cultural attractions, and efficient transport network. Depending on where you live you can expect to pay €500-€800 a month, this can decrease if you are in a shared apartment. These are some of the reasons why Germany is such a popular destination amongst (mainly experienced) TEFL teachers. Learn more about Teaching English in Germany here.

If you would like to learn more about TEFL jobs in Europe and teaching abroad in 2023, contact us today!