How Much Money Do You Need to Start Teaching English Abroad? The Full Startup Cost Breakdown (Savings Goal Calculator)

18 November 2025 News

We break down the actual cash you need to start teaching abroad—minus the guesswork. Your adventure starts here (after you save this much!).

Dreaming of teaching English abroad? It's one of the most rewarding career moves you can make, offering incredible travel and cultural experiences. But before you book that one-way ticket, you need to know the most critical detail: how much money do you need to start teaching English abroad?

The truth is, there's no single number—your startup costs will vary drastically based on your chosen country, your job hunting method, and your lifestyle. However, by breaking down the essential initial expenses, you can create a realistic savings goal calculator to finance your adventure.

Pre-Departure Essential Costs

These are the non-negotiable expenses you'll need to pay before you even step on a plane to start teaching English abroad:

TEFL Certification
- Estimated Cost (USD): $150 - $2,000+
- Notes & Key Factors: An accredited 120-hour TEFL certificate is the global standard. Costs vary widely; online courses are typically cheaper ($150 - $1,000), while intensive in-person courses can range from $1,200 to over $2,000.
Passport & Documents
- Estimated Cost (USD): $100 - $300
- Notes & Key Factors: This covers passport application or renewal, mandatory criminal background checks (required for most work visas), and fees for notarization or obtaining an Apostille for your degree and TEFL certificate, which legalizes them for international use.
Visa Fees
- Estimated Cost (USD): $50 - $400+
- Notes & Key Factors: The cost varies dramatically depending on the specific country and the type of visa required (e.g., work visa, residency permit). You must also budget for potential mandatory medical check costs, which can add $50 to $200.
Airfare
- Estimated Cost (USD): $500 - $2,000+
- Notes & Key Factors: The price depends on your departure and arrival locations. Pro-Tip: Some schools in high-demand markets like South Korea or the Middle East may reimburse your flight costs after you successfully complete your initial contract period, which can significantly reduce your upfront expenses.

Step 2: On-the-Ground Living Buffer (The Crucial Savings Goal)

This is the most variable—and most important—part of your savings goal. You need enough cash to cover your initial weeks or months abroad until you receive your first paycheck, which can often take 4 to 6 weeks.

Your buffer should cover three main things: Initial Housing, Living Expenses, and Job Search Costs.

1. Initial Housing & Deposit

You'll need money for a rental deposit and your first month's rent.

Deposit: Typically equals one month's rent, but in some countries like Japan or South Korea, it can be 2-3 months' rent.

Temporary Housing: If you arrive before your contract starts to job hunt, budget for 1-2 weeks of hostel or short-term Airbnb/hotel costs ($15 - $40 per night).

2. Living Expenses (4-6 Weeks)

This covers your essentials before your income starts.

Food & Groceries: Budget for daily meals and necessities.

Local Transportation: Costs for buses, trains, or taxis while you settle in.

Setup Costs: Buying essentials like kitchenware, bedding, and a local SIM card/mobile plan.

3. The Country Factor: How Location Affects Your Buffer

The cost of the critical 4-6 week financial buffer—the money you need until your first paycheck—is heavily dependent on the cost of living in your chosen destination. Here is a breakdown by region:

Southeast Asia (e.g., Vietnam, Thailand)
- Estimated 6-Week Living Buffer (Excl. Airfare/TEFL): $700 - $1,500
- Notes: These countries generally offer a much lower cost of living, which means your savings will stretch much further during the initial setup period.
Latin America (e.g., Peru, Costa Rica)
- Estimated 6-Week Living Buffer (Excl. Airfare/TEFL): $800 - $1,600
- Notes: While generally affordable, the average teaching salaries in this region can sometimes be lower than in Asia, meaning you might need a slightly larger buffer to cover expenses comfortably until your first payday.
Eastern Europe (e.g., Czech Republic)
- Estimated 6-Week Living Buffer (Excl. Airfare/TEFL): $1,300 - $2,500
- Notes: These are considered mid-range cost locations. Housing in the capital cities (like Prague or Warsaw) can be a significant factor and may require a larger portion of your initial savings.
Western Europe (e.g., Spain, Italy)
- Estimated 6-Week Living Buffer (Excl. Airfare/TEFL): $2,500 - $4,000+
- Notes: These are high cost of living areas. You will need a substantially larger financial cushion due to high rental deposits, higher monthly rent, and generally greater daily expenses.

Your Ultimate Savings Goal Calculator Formula

To calculate your total savings goal for teaching abroad, use this simple formula:

Total Savings Goal = TEFL Certification + Documents/Visa Fees + Airfare + Initial Living Buffer

Example: Teaching in Thailand (Low Cost of Living)

Let's imagine a common scenario for a teacher headed to Thailand:

TEFL Certification (Online): $500
Documents & Visa: $200
Airfare (One-way): $800
Initial Living Buffer (6 Weeks): $1,200 (includes 1st month's rent + deposit + food/transport)

$500 (TEFL Certification) + $200 (Documents & Visa) + $800 (Airfare) + $1,200 (Initial Living Buffer) = $2,700 USD

Example: Teaching in Spain (Higher Cost of Living/In-Person TEFL)

Now, a common scenario for an assistant in Spain:

TEFL Certification (In-person): $1,800
Documents & Visa: $300
Airfare (Round-trip proof often required): $1,200
Initial Living Buffer (6 Weeks): $3,500 (Higher deposit, high rent, high cost of living)

$1,800 (In-person TEFL) + $300 (Documents & Visa) + $1,200 (Airfare) + $3,500 (Initial Living Buffer) = $6,800 USD

The Emergency Fund Factor

A true financial safety net includes a separate Emergency Fund. This is money you do not touch for your startup costs.

Why you need it: Unforeseen circumstances, medical emergencies, or needing to quickly return home.

Recommended Fund: An extra $1,000 - $2,000 USD in savings outside of your startup goal. This will provide peace of mind and prevent you from running into debt during your first few months.

Pro-Tip: Find Benefits to Lower Your Costs

Many top-tier teaching jobs in the Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar) and parts of Asia (China, South Korea) offer benefits that drastically lower your required savings: