Ideas, Travel tips

8 Ways to Make Money While Traveling in Europe (Because Croissants Aren’t Free, Darling)

This article may contain affiliate links, if you buy something or register on a platform through those links I get a small commission

Bonjour, my fellow travel-loving queens! 🌍✨ So, you’re dreaming of sipping café au lait in a Parisian bistro, twirling through the streets of Rome, or basking in the golden glow of a Santorini sunset. But—plot twist—your wallet is looking a little sad. Don’t worry, you don’t need a millionaire boyfriend or a bottomless bank account to make your European adventure a reality. With a little creativity (and a touch of hustle, sure), you can keep living your best life abroad while making money on the go.

How Much Do You Actually Need?

Before we dive into the money-making magic, let’s talk about how much it actually costs to live the dream. Here’s a rough estimate of daily expenses in some of Europe’s hottest destinations (food, transport, and accommodation included):

  • France: €50-€70/day
    (Pro tip: Skip the overpriced tourist cafés. Hit up boulangeries for fresh baguettes, pain chocolate and pastries that’ll keep you full and happy.)
  • Italy: €40-€60/day
    (Pizza al taglio—aka pizza by the slice—is your budget-friendly BFF.)
  • Spain: €30-€50/day
    (Tapas culture means you can snack your way through Spain without breaking the bank.)
  • Germany: €40-€60/day
    (Currywurst and döner kebabs = cheap and delicious street food gold. Not so cheap as it used to be before, but, c’mon aren’t we in recession)
  • Portugal: €30-€50/day
    (Pastéis de nata + espresso = the perfect budget breakfast.)
  • Greece: €35-€55/day
    (Gyros are life. Tasty, filling, and under €5!)
  • Czech Republic: €25-€45/day
    (Yes, beer is literally cheaper than water here. Priorities.)

How to Make Money While Traveling in Europe

Now that we’ve covered the costs, let’s get into the fun part: how to fund your adventure while still having time to explore, eat all the croissants, and soak up the culture and sun.

1. Freelance Your Skills

If you can write, design, manage social media, or do anything remotely digital, you can make money from anywhere. Sites like Upwork or Fiverr are goldmines for freelancers. Bonus: You can work from that dreamy little café in Paris while sipping your third cappuccino. When I first came I used to take little digital design jobs on Fiverr. I cannot say that as freelancer who just started you are going to make a bank, but you can have a little extra to pumper yourself.

Pro tip: Specializing in travel-related work (like content writing or photography) makes it easier to land gigs that align with your journey.

Liguria, Italy
Dinan, France

2. Teach English (or Anything, Really!)

If you’re fluent in English, you already have a skill that’s in demand! Countries like Spain, Italy, and France are always looking for English tutors, and you don’t necessarily need a degree. Online platforms like iTalki or Babbel make it easy to teach while on the move. In fact, if you speak multiple languages like myself, you can apply to teach all of them. Diversify 😉

Bonus: It’s a great way to meet locals and pick up some of the language yourself! And again, tutoring being an online job lets you look time to times at that Eiffel Tower while working on your laptop.

Teach English online while travelling
Venice, Italy

3. Monetize Your Social Media

If you’re already sharing your travel snaps on Instagram, why not get paid for it? Brands love working with micro-influencers (yep, even if you don’t have millions of followers). Join influencer networks like Heepsy or AspireIQ, or pitch yourself to travel brands and hotels. Also, if you are on a long vacation you may start a TikTok showing you adventures.

Pro tip: Focus on high-quality photos, engaging captions, and consistency. And always disclose #sponsored content.

Paris, France
Madrid, Spain

4. Sell Your Travel Photos

If your camera roll is full of stunning European landscapes and Insta-worthy café shots, consider selling them on Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, or EyeEm. Bloggers, magazines, and brands are constantly looking for unique images. And no, you don’t really need to be a PRO photographer. Try it and see how it goes. Sometimes pictures that you put months before on Shutterstick starts to randomly bring you a small side revenue.

Insider tip: Travel bloggers love buying authentic destination photos—so check out Facebook groups where they look for visuals.

Vernazza, Italy
Thera, Greece

5. Work in Hostels

Many hostels offer free accommodation (and sometimes food) in exchange for a few hours of work per day. Websites like Workaway, Worldpackers, and HostelJobs list these gigs.

What’s in it for you? Free place to stay, cool new friends, and possibly some extra cash on the side!

6. Sell Handmade Goods or Vintage Finds

Got an eye for unique souvenirs or love creating handmade jewelry? Sell your finds on Etsy or Depop while you travel! Flea markets in Europe are filled with hidden gems you can flip for a profit.

Hot tip: Paris and Lisbon have some of the best flea markets for scoring one-of-a-kind pieces. The only difficulty is that you have to know what piece has a value.

Venice, Italy
Liguria, Italy

7. Become a Tour Guide

Know a city inside and out? Offer walking tours to tourists! Sites like GuruWalk and ToursByLocals let you sign up as an independent guide. Or just post in travel groups and offer personalized experiences.

Bonus: You get paid to explore new places and share your love for them—what’s better than that?

8. Work as an Au Pair

f you love kids and want a cultural immersion experience, becoming an au pair is a great way to live in Europe while earning money. You’ll typically get free accommodation, meals, and a small salary in exchange for helping with childcare and light housework. Websites like AuPairWorld and Nanny Nina connect travelers with host families.

Pro tip: Many families prefer native English speakers to help their kids learn the language!

So there you have it—8 ways to make money while traveling in Europe without giving up your daily dose of croissants, gelato, or wine. Whether you choose to freelance, teach, create, or hustle your way through Europe, the key is to stay flexible and open to opportunities.

Now, go chase those European dreams—one euro at a time! ✨

P.S. If you try any of these, let me know in the comments! And if you’ve got a secret side hustle, spill the tea—I’m all ears.💕

Similar Posts