Moving Abroad Budget — How Much Do You Really Need to Start Over

Moving to another country is one of the biggest financial decisions you will ever make. It is not just the plane ticket — it is the first three months before your income stabilizes in a new country. Before you start packing, you need to know exactly how much money stands between you and a stress-free start.

In this article we break down the relocation budget into concrete figures for four popular destinations: the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, and the USA. No vague estimates — just numbers.

Total Cost of the First 3 Months — The Range

Here is what you are looking at, per person.

United Kingdom (London and surroundings): €5,800–€10,500. London is expensive, but cities like Manchester or Birmingham bring the entry threshold down by about 30%. If you are targeting London, aim for the upper end.

Germany (Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt): €4,600–€8,800. Berlin is relatively cheap for a Western European capital. Munich is a different league — rents can be double what you pay in Berlin.

Netherlands (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague): €6,500–€11,200. The Netherlands will surprise you with housing costs. Amsterdam ranks among the most expensive cities in Europe per square meter of rent.

USA (New York, Chicago, Miami): $8,500–$17,000. The spread is massive because the US is a continent, not a country. New York will eat twice as much as a Midwest city.

These amounts cover: deposit and first rent, basic furnishing, groceries, transport, insurance, and a reserve for unexpected expenses. They do not include visa costs — we cover those below.

Breakdown by Category

Housing — The Biggest Expense

Deposit plus first rent usually means 2 to 3 months of rent upfront. In practice:

UK: A studio in London runs €1,400–€2,100 per month. Outside London: €800–€1,300. The deposit is typically 5 weeks of rent — so you need €2,800–€4,700 just for housing on day one in London.

Germany: A studio in Berlin costs €800–€1,300 per month; in Munich €1,200–€1,900. The deposit (Kaution) is capped at 3 months of rent — but you can split it into 3 installments. On day one you need €1,200–€2,500.

Netherlands: Amsterdam — a studio for €1,300–€2,000 per month. Rotterdam and The Hague are 20–30% cheaper. Deposit is 1–2 months of rent. Day-one housing cost: €2,600–€6,000.

USA: New York — a studio apartment for $2,000–$3,400 per month. Chicago: $1,200–$1,900. Deposit is 1 month of rent plus first and last month's rent — so you need 3 months of rent on day one.

Visas and Paperwork

UK: Skilled Worker visa costs from £610 (up to 3 years) to £1,220 (over 3 years). Immigration Health Surcharge adds £624 per year. Total paperwork cost: €1,200–€2,300.

Germany: Residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) costs €100–€110. EU Blue Card — about €140. Anmeldung (address registration) is free. The cheapest paperwork of the four.

Netherlands: Work permit through the employer — cost on the company. BSN registration — free. IND fee for residence permit: €330–€420.

USA: H-1B visa is a lottery — entry costs about $150, but the employer pays $1,000–$4,000 in fees. If you go on an L-1 or O-1, lawyer fees can reach $5,000–$10,000 (usually paid by the company).

Food and Daily Living

Differences between countries are smaller here than with housing, but still matter.

UK: €420–€650 per month per person for food and small purchases. Eating out in central London costs €12–€19 for a basic lunch.

Germany: €350–€500 per month. Discounters like Aldi and Lidl are cheaper than in many other Western European countries. Eating out is moderate, but tips (5–10%) are customary.

Netherlands: €370–€580 per month. Albert Heijn is pricier than budget supermarkets, but Lidl and Aldi save the day.

USA: $500–$850 per month. Grocery shopping is surprisingly expensive. On top of that, restaurant tips (15–20%) are mandatory.

Transport

UK: Oyster Card in London — €140–€230 per month (zones 1–3). Outside London, a car is practically necessary.

Germany: Deutschlandticket — €49 per month for all public transport nationwide. The best deal of the four by far.

Netherlands: OV-chipkaart — the bicycle is king, but a monthly transit pass is €80–€140. A used bicycle itself costs €90–€180.

USA: Public transit really only works in NYC (MetroCard — $130/month). In most cities you need a car — that is an additional $700–$1,200 per month (payment + insurance + gas).

Health Insurance

UK: NHS is free at the point of use, but you already paid for it through the Immigration Health Surcharge. Full coverage from day one.

Germany: Health insurance is mandatory. Public insurance costs about €140–€180 per month (half paid by the employer). Private: €230–€460.

Netherlands: Basisverzekering (basic insurance) — €120–€140 per month. Mandatory from the day you register.

USA: If the employer does not provide it — private insurance is $350–$950 per month. This is one of the biggest shocks for European expats.

Where to Save Money

On housing — but smartly. For the first 1–2 months, rent a room in a shared apartment instead of a studio. In London, that is the difference between €1,400 and €700 per month. You gain time to learn the neighborhoods and find a better deal.

On furnishing. Facebook groups like "Expats in Berlin" are a goldmine for free furniture. IKEA Family offers 30-day returns — buy, use, and if you find something free, return it. Marketplace and Gumtree are your best friends.

On food. Cook at home for the first month. Seriously. That saves €180–€350 per month depending on the country. Install food waste apps — Too Good To Go works across Western Europe.

On flights. Fly with carry-on only. Ship the rest by courier — it is cheaper than excess baggage. Many courier services offer international parcels at a fraction of airline baggage fees.

On banking. Revolut, Wise, or N26 instead of a traditional bank. Zero currency conversion fees, instant access, and local IBANs in multiple countries.

Where NOT to Save Money

On your safety net. Never move with exactly the amount you need. Minimum reserve: 1 month of expenses above your planned budget. Better yet, 2 months. One delayed paycheck and you are in trouble.

On health insurance. In Europe, public systems cover the basics, but in the US, being uninsured is a bankruptcy risk. An ER visit in New York without insurance can cost $3,500–$12,000.

On sworn translations of documents. Cheap translations may be rejected by authorities. The cost of re-translating plus bureaucratic delays costs more than the price difference.

On tax advice. Double taxation, tax residency, deductions — one mistake can cost thousands. A consultation with a tax advisor specializing in expat taxes costs €120–€350 but pays for itself many times over.

On internet connection. Remote work demands a stable connection. Saving €12 per month on a cheaper plan that drops out can cost you a client or a project.

Timeline — Savings Schedule

12 Months Before the Move

Decide on your target country and city. Calculate your startup budget using the breakdown above. Open a separate savings account — in Freenance, you can create a dedicated "Relocation" goal and track your progress. Start setting aside a fixed amount every month.

With a target of €8,000 and 12 months, that is about €670 per month. Ambitious but doable if you are earning a professional-level salary.

6 Months Before the Move

You should have 50–60% of your target saved. Start handling documents — apostille, translations, degree recognition if needed. Each of these processes takes 4–8 weeks.

Begin the remote job search — LinkedIn, Indeed, local job boards. Having a job offer before you move is a game changer — it lowers the required budget by 30–40% because you start earning sooner.

3 Months Before the Move

Your budget should be 80% complete. Start looking for housing online. Schedule viewings for your first week after arrival. Book temporary accommodation for the first 2–4 weeks (Airbnb, hostel, a friend's spare room).

1 Month Before the Move

100% of the budget in your account. Exchange currency — but not all at once. Spread conversions across 3–4 batches to average out the exchange rate. Wise and Revolut offer the best rates.

Cancel domestic subscriptions you will not need abroad. Notify your tax authority of the move if required.

First Month Abroad

Spend according to plan. Track every expense — Freenance lets you categorize spending and compare it against your budget. The first weeks will be more expensive than you planned — that is normal. That is why you have a reserve.

Impact on Your Runway

Relocation effectively resets your runway — the period you can survive without income. If you had a 6-month runway before leaving, you might have 1–2 months left after the move.

This means several things:

If you are a freelancer — make sure you have clients or contracts lined up for at least 2 months before you leave. Relocating without secured income is a gamble.

If you are changing jobs — negotiate a signing bonus or relocation package. Many companies offer €5,000–€15,000 to cover moving costs. Do not be afraid to ask — it is standard in corporate environments.

If you are planning a break — add 2–3 extra months of runway to your relocation budget. You do not want to take the first available job under time pressure in a new country.

In Freenance, you can simulate a relocation scenario — enter your planned expenses abroad and see how they affect your runway. It is better than a spreadsheet because it factors in your actual cash flows.

Relocation Is an Investment, Not a Cost

€8,000–€12,000 sounds like a huge amount. And it is. But moving abroad is not a vacation — it is an investment in higher earnings, better living conditions, and career growth. The median tech salary in Germany is €65,000 per year. In many Central and Eastern European countries, the equivalent role pays half that. The difference pays for itself in 1–2 years.

The key is planning. You now know how much you need. You know where to save and where not to. Now you need a tool to make it happen.

Freenance helps you plan your relocation budget step by step. Create a savings goal, monitor progress, and control expenses in one place. Start for free at freenance.io — because big changes start with a solid plan.