You may have read articles or blogs saying that it is impossible for Americans to find work teaching English abroad in Europe due to citizenship requirements or demand for British English. However, that is simply not the case for qualified TEFL/TESOL-trained Americans from International TEFL Academy.
Teaching in Europe as an American
There are so many English teaching positions available throughout Europe that employers cannot only hire EU citizens. Many schools do prefer American English as it is the more common form of English used in business relations and media worldwide. Therefore you can find teaching jobs in Europe without citizenship from a European Union (EU) Country.
Can Americans Teach English in Europe?
Yes - An American with a TEFL / TESOL Certification from International TEFL Academy can realistically find great opportunities to teach English in Europe. There are thousands of Americans successfully finding employment in Europe every year as English teachers.
Major European cities like Madrid, Milan, Prague, Moscow, Rome and Istanbul are all home to dozens, if not hundreds, of private language schools specializing in English instruction. As a result, as many as 3,000 to 5,000 English teachers work in such cities annually.
Read more: TEFL job index in Europe
The Biggest Job Markets for Americans Teaching English in Europe
In Western Europe, Spain, Italy, and Germany are the largest job markets for teaching English and tens of thousands of opportunities can be found in Central and Eastern European countries like Russia, Poland and the Czech Republic. Some countries like France and Greece can be more challenging for Americans because of red tape and a strong preference for EU citizens.
An exception to this is the French government's assistantship program, which recruits more than 1,000 qualified Americans to work as assistant English teachers in public schools. Spain operates a similar program. There are limited but growing opportunities in smaller central & southwestern European countries.
In some EU countries, including Italy, Spain and France, some Americans gain a legal right to work as an English teacher by enrolling in a study program (usually language) and receiving a student visa that grants working privileges.
American Teaching Jobs in Europe: The Case of Turkey
Offering the social liberalism and cosmopolitanism of Western Europe, with the lifestyle and climate of the Mediterranean and the exotic allure of the Middle East, Turkey has a huge demand for English teachers and a great job market, particularly for Americans who do not have to contend with a bias towards EU citizens as Turkey is not in the EU. Also, it is possible to interview in advance and some schools provide benefits like stipends for housing and/or airfare.
TEFL Jobs in Europe for Americans: Hiring Seasons
Hiring Seasons Are Key for Getting Hired to Teach English in Europe.
Apart from choosing a country in Europe, for Americans, it is essential to follow the major hiring seasons and in many nations in Western Europe, it is essential to interview in person to obtain employment. This means that in most cases, you will need to travel to Europe to interview face-to-face.
American graduates from International TEFL Academy will typically find work within 1-3 weeks of arriving in Europe who follow our job search guidance advice and are professional throughout the interviewing process.
English Language School Hiring Seasons in Europe
Primary: September / October
Secondary: January
Click here to request the below Country Chart that compares details for teaching English abroad in Europe and more than 60 countries around the world.
| COUNTRY | Degree Requirement | Typical Contract Length | Peak Hiring Seasons | Expected Down Times | Interview Procedures | Visa Info | Typical Students | Average Monthly Cost of Living in $ USD & Local Currency | Average Monthly Salary in $ USD & Local Currency | Estimated Start-up Costs | Housing | Reimbursed Airfare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | BA/BS required | 10 & 12 months | Sept & Jan | Aug, Christmas- 2nd week in Jan | Face-to-face in Austria | EU Citizenship | Business Professionals | $1,700 - 2,500 USD (1,500 - 2,200 EUR) | $1,800 - 2,500 USD (1,600 - 2,200 EUR) | $2,550 - 3,800 USD (2,300 - 3,400 EUR) | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | No |
| Belgium | BA/BS required | 10 & 12 months | Sept & Jan | Aug, Christmas- 2nd week in Jan | Face-to-face in Belgium | EU Citizenship | Business Professionals | $1,500 - 2,000 USD (1,300 - 1,800 EUR) | $1,500 - 2,000 USD (1,300 - 1,800 EUR) | $2,250 - 3,000 USD (2,000 - 2,800 EUR) | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | No |
| Bulgaria | BA/BS required | 9 & 12 months | Sept & Jan | Aug, Christmas- 2nd week in Jan | Phone/skype in advance or face-to-face in Bulgaria | EU Citizenship | Business Professionals, Children | $650 - 950 USD (1,150 - 1,650 BGN) | $650 - 950 USD (1,150 - 1,650 BGN) | $1,000 - 1,450 USD (1,700 - 2,500 BGN) | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | No |
| Croatia | BA/BS required | 10 & 12 months | Sept & Jan | Aug, Christmas- 2nd week in Jan | Face-to-face in Croatia | EU Citizenship | Business Professionals, Children | $900 - 1,300 USD (6,000 - 8,400 HRK) | $900 - 1,300 USD (6,000 - 8,400 HRK) | $1,350 - 2,000 USD (9,000 - 13,100 HRK) | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | No |
| Czech Republic | BA/BS required | 10 & 12 months | Sept & Jan | Aug, Christmas- 2nd week in Jan | Most face-to-face in the Czech Republic; Some phone/skype in advance | Tourist visa, convert to contractor visa or EU Citizenship | Business Professionals, Children | $800 - 1,600 USD (18,000 - 37,000 CZK) | $1,000 - 1,500 USD (23,000 - 34,000 CZK) | $2,400 - 4,500 USD (55,000 - 103,000 CZK) **Zivno Visa costs not included | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | No |
| France | BA/BS required | 10 & 12 months | Sept & Jan | Aug, Christmas- 2nd week in Jan | Face-to-face in France | Student visa, work visa through government program, EU Citizenship | Business Professionals | $1,400 - 2,300 USD (1,200 - 2,000 EUR) | $800 - 1,800 USD (700 - 1,600 EUR) *TAPIF Stipend: 965 EUR | $2,100 - 3.500 USD (1,900 - 3,100 EUR) | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | No |
| Georgia | BA/BS preferred, not required | 6 & 12 Months | Year Round | Aug, Christmas- 2nd week in Jan | Phone/skype in advance or Face-to-face in Georgia | Tourist Visa | Children | $220 USD (600 GEL) *Stipend for TLG | $220 USD (600 GEL) *Stipend for TLG | $300 - 400 USD (800 GEL - 1,100 GEL) | Housing provided by TLG program | Yes |
| Germany | BA/BS preferred, not required | 10 & 12 months | Sept & Jan | Aug, Christmas- 2nd week in Jan | Face-to-face in Germany | Tourist visa, convert to contractor visa or EU Citizenship | Business Professionals, Children | $1,100 - 2,000 USD (1,000 - 1,800 EUR) | $1,000 - 2,200 USD (900 - 1,950 EUR) | $3,000 - 4,500 USD (2,600 - 4,000 EUR) | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | No |
| Greece | BA/BS required | 10 & 12 months | Sept & Jan | Aug, Christmas- 2nd week in Jan | Face-to-face in Greece | EU Citizenship | Business Professionals | $800 - 1,100 USD (700 - 1,000 EUR) | $800 - 1,100 USD (700 - 1,000 EUR) | $1,200 - 2,000 USD (1,000 - 1,800 EUR) | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | No |
| Hungary | BA/BS required | 10 & 12 months | Sept & Jan | Aug, Christmas- 2nd week in Jan | Phone/skype in advance or Face-to-face in Hungary | Tourist visa, convert to work visa or EU Citizenship | Business Professionals, Children | $600 - 900 USD (167,800 - 252,700 HUF) | $600 - 900 USD (167,800 - 252,700 HUF) | $1,050 - 1,450 USD (265,450 - 366,600 HUF) | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | No |
| Italy | BA/BS required | 10 & 12 months | Sept, Oct & Jan | Aug, Christmas- 2nd week in Jan | Face-to-face in Italy | Tourist visa, student visa, EU Citizenship | Business Professionals | $900 - 1,150 USD (800 - 1,000 EUR) | $900-1500 USD (800 - 1,300 EUR) | $1,200 - $2,100 USD (1,050 - 1,850 EUR) | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | No |
| Lithuania | BA/BS required | 10 & 12 months | May and Aug for a Sept start | Aug, Christmas | Phone/skype in advance or Face-to-face in Lithuania | EU Citizenship | Business Professionals, Children | $500 - 900 USD (450 - 800 EUR) | $500 - 900 USD (450 - 800 EUR) | $900 - 1,500 USD (800 - 1,300 EUR) | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | No |
| Poland | BA/BS preferred, not required | 9 & 12 months | Sept, Oct & Jan | Aug, Christmas- 2nd week in Jan | Phone/skype in advance or Face-to-face in Poland | Tourist visa, convert to work visa EU Citizenship | Business Professionals | $750 - 1,000 USD (2,500 - 3,400 PLN) | $750 - 1,050 USD (2,500 - 3,600 PLN) | $900 - 1,800 USD (3,450 - 6,900 PLN)) | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | No |
| Portugal | BA/BS required | 10 & 12 months | Sept & Jan | Aug, Christmas- 2nd week in Jan | Face-to-face in Portugal | EU Citizenship | Business Professionals | $1,300 - 1,700 USD (1,150 - 1,500 EUR) | $1,300 – 1,700 USD (1,050 - 1,500 EUR) | $2,300 - 2,900 USD (2,000 - 2,550 EUR) | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | No |
| Romania | BA/BS preferred, not required | 9 & 12 months | Sept & Jan | Aug | Most face-to- face in Romania; Some phone/skype in advance | Tourist visa, convert to work visa or EU Citizenship | Business Professionals | $500 - 800 USD (2,100 - 3,350 RON) | $300 - 1,000 USD (1,250 - 4,200 RON)) | $600 - 1500 USD (2,500 - 6,300 RON) | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | No |
| Russia | BA/BS preferred, not required | 12 months | All Year Round | Aug | Phone/skype in advance or face-to-face in Russia | Work visa | Business Professionals, Children | $500 - 1,000 USD (32,700 - 65,500 RUB) | $500 - 1,400 USD (32,700 - 91,700 RUB) | $1,000 - 1,800 USD (65,500 - 117,800 RUB) | Some Free Housing | No/Some return flight |
| Slovakia | BA/BS preferred, not required | 6 & 12 months | Sept & Jan | Aug, Christmas- 2nd week in Jan | Phone/skype in advance or face-to-face in Slovakia | Tourist visa, convert to work visa or EU Citizenship | Business Professionals | $500 - 800 USD (450 - 700 EUR) | $500 - 800 USD (450 - 700 EUR) | $1,100 - 1,700 USD (1000 - 1,500 EUR) | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | No |
| Slovenia | BA/BS preferred, not required | 10 & 12 months | Sept & Jan | Aug, Christmas- 2nd week in Jan | Most face-to- face in Slovenia; Some phone/skype in advance | EU Citizenship, Student Visa or Youth Mobility Visa | Business Professionals | $850 - 1,250 USD (750 - 1,100 EUR) | $850 - 1,250 USD (750 - 1,100 EUR) | $1,200 - 1,850 USD (1,050 - 1,600 EUR) | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | No |
| Spain | BA/BS preferred, not required | 10 & 12 months | Sept- early Oct & Jan | Aug, Christmas- 2nd week in Jan | Face-to-face in Spain except government program in advance | Student visa, EU Citizenship | Business Professionals, Children (esp. government program) | $500 - 1,000 USD (450 - 900 EUR) | $800- 1,500 USD (700 - 1,300 EUR) | $1,700 - 2,850 USD (1,500 - 2,500 EUR) | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | No |
| Turkey | BA/BS required | 12 months | All Year Round | Aug | Phone/skype in advance or face-to-face in Turkey | Work visa | Business Professionals | $550 - 900 USD (3,000 - 4,800 TRY) | $550 - 1,150 USD (3,000 - 6,200 TRY) | $1,100 - 1,800 USD (5,850 - 9,600 TRY) | Some free housing or housing subsidy | No |
| Ukraine | BA/BS preferred | 10 & 12 months | Mostly Sept / All year around | Aug, Christmas- 2nd week in Jan | Phone/skype in advance or face-to-face in Ukraine | Tourist visa, EU Citizenship | Business Professionals, Children | $600 - $925 USD (16,000 - 25,000 UAH) | $600 - $925 USD (16,000 - 25,000 UAH) | $1,200 - 1,800 USD (32,425 - 48,650 UAH) | Some Free Housing | No |
As many as 50% of English teachers leave their positions over the summer, creating a huge demand for new English teaching jobs in Europe as schools begin new sessions in September and early October.
- Those looking to teach in Europe should typically count on being on the ground with their TEFL Certification during these hiring seasons to interview in person.
- Government assistantship programs in Spain and France require that applications be filed by March for positions beginning in September.
- Exceptions: Turkey, Russia and Georgia which hire year-round. These are also countries where you often interview and get hired in advance from home, so you have a job waiting for you when you depart.
Summer camps throughout Europe hire English teachers locally and in some cases recruit in advance from the U.S. and elsewhere during the winter and spring for the following summer.
It is very important for all of our students to have the right expectations prior to enrolling in any TEFL course to make sure that teaching in Europe will be a good fit for them. This is why it is important that you speak with a TEFL Advisor prior to enrolling in a TEFL certification course.
How to Work in Europe as an American English Teacher: Visas
There are also considerations to make on what type of Visa an American can obtain throughout Europe:
- Do I need a visa to teach in Europe? (by the way, what exactly are the differences in visas?)
- If so, how do I get one?
- What does it mean to teach English on a tourist visa rather than a work visa? ( See related article: "What Is Teaching English Abroad "Under the Table" Without a Work Visa?")
Visas and legalities can be confusing, but they are critical if you actually plan on moving and living in Europe.
Many employers will hire an American on a tourist visa “under the table” in countries like Spain or Italy. However, as mentioned above, there are opportunities to find work on a student visa as well in these nations. It is also common for foreign English teachers to get work visas in advance in some European countries such as Poland, Turkey and Russia.
In other countries, American English teachers will gain employment in-country and then have a work visa or work permit processed locally. This is common for qualified English teachers who interview and get hired face-to-face in countries like Germany and the Czech Republic. Again, applicants often must provide proof of employment, a passport and completed application forms.
In many cases, other documents such as a criminal background check, medical forms and/or notarized university transcripts or diplomas must also be provided.
Your International TEFL Academy TEFL Advisor receives extensive, ongoing training on these matters and will be able to provide extensive guidance and information on how such matters work in different countries.
Check out some great articles on Americans obtaining work visas in popular European destinations:
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How Can Americans Get a Work Visa to Teach English in Germany?
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Can Americans Get a Work Visa to Teach English in the Czech Republic?
There are thousands of Americans successfully finding employment in Europe every year as English teachers through International TEFL Academy, so get in touch with an Advisor today to learn how to make this a reality for you!
Posted In: Teach English in Spain, Teach English in Turkey, Teach English in France, Teach English in Russia, Teach English in Germany, Teach English in Europe, Teach English in Italy, Teach English Abroad Visas
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