The order you pay in
Moving costs arrive in 3 waves. The second wave is the one people under-budget, because it lands before any salary.
- Before you travel: visa, documents, insurance, proof of funds.
- First month: temporary housing, transport, registration.
- Months 2 and 3: deposit, first rent, furniture, permit card.
Wave 1: before you travel
| Cost | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Visa fee | €75 for a German national visa. Spain's digital nomad application is €80 to €100. |
| Documents | Apostilles, sworn translations and certificates. Most applications need 4 to 8 documents, each priced separately. |
| Degree recognition | Needed for the Blue Card if your degree is not already listed as recognised. |
| Health insurance | Required from day 1 for most visas, before you join a public scheme. |
| Proof of funds | Held, not spent. €11,040 for Portugal's D8. About €1,091 a month for Germany's Opportunity Card. |
| Flights and luggage | Book one-way with extra baggage, often cheaper than shipping. |
Wave 2: your first month
- Temporary housing. Furnished short stays cost more per night than a long lease. Plan 4 to 8 weeks while you search and attend viewings. See first-month housing.
- Registration. Address registration is usually free, but you need a landlord confirmation, and many short stays will not provide one. Book housing that will. See registration.
- Transport. A monthly transit pass in most of our cities.
- SIM card. A local number is needed for banks, landlords and appointments.
- Food and basics. Expect to spend more in week 1 while you set up a kitchen.
Wave 3: months 2 and 3
- Rental deposit. Legally capped at 3 months' net rent in Germany and 2 months' basic rent in the Netherlands. 1 to 3 months is normal elsewhere.
- First month's rent, usually due with the deposit, so you pay 3 to 4 months of rent in one go.
- Furniture and kitchen. Many long-term lets in Germany come unfurnished, sometimes without kitchen units.
- Utilities setup. Internet installation and energy contracts.
- Residence permit card fee, paid when you collect the card locally.
A budget template you can copy
| Line | Formula |
|---|---|
| Deposit | Monthly rent × 3 (Germany) or × 2 (Netherlands) |
| Rent buffer | Monthly rent × 3 |
| Temporary housing | Weekly short-stay rate × 6 |
| Living costs | Monthly living costs × 3 |
| Setup | Furniture + internet + transport + SIM |
| Visa and documents | Fees + translations + apostilles + insurance |
| Proof of funds | As your route requires. Held, not spent. |
Add 10% for currency movements if you are converting from a non-euro income.
Where the money is usually lost
The biggest avoidable cost is extra weeks of temporary housing caused by doing setup in the wrong order. In most countries each step unlocks the next: address registration, then tax number, then bank account, then a long-term lease. Miss one and the whole chain waits.
Fully Sorted includes first-month accommodation with a registration-ready address, so the chain starts on day 1. Compare options on pricing, or get a free evaluation that maps the order for your city.
Quick answers
How much money do I need to move to Europe?
Hold enough for the rental deposit (up to 3 months' rent in Germany), 3 months of rent, 3 months of living costs, visa and document fees, and any proof of funds your route requires.
What is the maximum rental deposit in Germany?
3 months' net rent, excluding service charges. Tenants can pay it in 3 monthly instalments.
What is the maximum rental deposit in the Netherlands?
2 months' basic rent for leases signed since July 2023.
What is the biggest unexpected cost of moving to Europe?
Usually the rental deposit plus extra weeks of temporary housing while registration and banking are completed.
How long before I get my first salary in Europe?
Usually 4 to 8 weeks after arrival, depending on your start date and the employer's payroll cycle.
Figures are those published for 2026 and change each year, usually in January. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Check with the relevant authority or ask an advisor before applying.
