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Budgets - Spain

Understand the total cost of teaching English in Spain, including pre-departure expenses, TESOL course costs, living costs, and tips for budgeting before your first paycheck.

Our support team will walk you through everything prior to you departing to ensure you have exactly what you need by when you need to have it.

    Budget before you arrive

    Our support coordinators will assist you with:

    • Booking flights.
    • Explaining and finding the best insurance required.
    • Advising you on all the document costs involved.

    FLIGHTS

    Flight prices vary depending on where you travel from and when you book. Prices can occasionally exceed this range.

    $90 - $880

    INSURANCE

    Medical/Travel insurance for 1 year (approximate)

    $600

    CBC

    Criminal background check and legalization of criminal background check

    $150

    VISA APPLICATION

    Visa application costs for Education Visa.

    $160

    MANDATORY SPANISH LANGUAGE LESSONS

    Education Visa + 7-month visa (6 months of Spanish Language Classes)

    $1,600

    AUTHORIZATION PROCESS

    Consultations facilitating the Teaching Authorization process.

    $150

    Immunizations (recommended, but it is the participant’s responsibility to decide which immunizations are right for them in consultation with their doctor) 0-500 USD (depends on country and insurance)

    $0 - $500
    TOTAL

    $2,750 - $4,040

     

     

    Budget for 1 month TEFL/TESOL course in Barcelona

    • You will also need to take over enough spending money to cover living expenses during your TEFL/TESOL course and first month of teaching English.
    • Bear in mind that you will be spending at least 1-2 months in Spain before you receive your first paycheck.
    • You will therefore need to budget enough money to see you through the 1 month TEFL/TESOL course and your first month of teaching.

    ACCOMMODATION DURING ORIENTATION

    Accommodation cost is 800 Euros for the 5-week TESOL course. It is a private room. Bathrooms are shared. All participants will be asked to pay a refundable deposit of 100 to 200 Euros. You will get this back in full at the end of your stay as long as there are no damages to the room.

    $800

    ACCOMMODATION AFTER ORIENTATION

    When you get to your placement, you will need to pay rent and one month’s deposit. Depending on your location, the rent will cost anywhere from 350 Euros – 600 Euros per month. Typically, the deposit is equal to one month's rent.

    $350 - $600

    Deposit: $350 - $600

    STARTUP ITEMS (TOILETRIES, PHONE, MISC)

    In Spain, you can find all toiletries like shampoo, soap, toothpaste, etc. at many convenience stores. We will provide you with a SIM card for your phone but you will need to top it up yourself.

    $50

    DAILY EXPENSES (FOOD,LAUNDRY, TRANSPORTATION IN SPAIN)

    One of the best ways to budget your cash while living in Spain is eating the local Spanish food. A local breakfast in Spain is about 4-7 Euros, Lunch is about 8-10 Euros and dinner is about the same. Note this is for conservative budget. You will not need to use public transportation often as many local conveniences are within walking distance. Local bus journeys are typically less than 3 USD. Taxi rides are usually below $10 unless covering a significant distance. We recommend a minimum budget of 17.5 Euros per day or 35 days or 5 weeks of the course.

    $620

    ENGLISH TEACHING PRESENTATION AND PRACTICAL SUPPLIES

    During the course and teaching practical, you will create multiple lessons. You may want to buy some supplies for your lessons, such as sticky tack, stapler, tape, scissors, and whiteboard markers throughout the course to help you plan your homework and class presentations.

    $20

    OPTIONAL EXPENSES (NIGHTLIFE,
    WEEKEND TRIPS, SHOPPING)

    If you drink alcohol, you will soon realize it becomes one of your biggest expenses. Be mindful of this when heading out as it is one of the many causes of participants running out of cash. Bars, especially in tourist areas, can vastly over charge on beer. For example, local beer will be 2-3 Euros at a local convenience store, but bars often charge USD 5 - 9 Euros for a beer. In tourist areas, the price can be significantly higher.

    If you are interested in going on weekend trips with fellow participants to other areas or to go on any tours, there will be fees associated with doing so. There are national park entrance fees and transportation costs. You can spend however much you like on these extra optional things, but please be mindful of your budget.

    $0 - $200

    TWO ADDITIONAL WEEKS OF ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD BEFORE STARTING TEACHING JOB

    This is the estimated duration while waiting for the work permit to be finalized before starting teaching. Note that this is just an estimate and that the timeframe could be longer. This also assumes that the teacher moves into cheaper longer-term accommodation.

    Accom: $400

    Food: $245
    TOTAL $2,300 - $2,500

     

     

    Budget for first month of teaching

    BANK ACCOUNT SET UP AND WORK PERMIT CARD

    There is a requirement to get a bank account and work permit card to teach in Spain. In order to get your work permit authorization, you need to get an accommodation.

    $200

    ACCOMMODATION

    When you get to your placement, you will need to pay rent and one month’s deposit. Depending on your location, the rent will cost anywhere from 350 Euros – 600 Euros per month. Typically, the deposit is equal to one month's rent.

    $350 - $600

    Deposit: $350 - $600

    DAILY EXPENSES (FOOD,LAUNDRY,
    TRANSPORTATION AROUND TOWN)

    Participants are able to spend much less than the amount stated here depending on your spending habits. The amount given is a safe approximation.

    $400 - $525
    TOTAL  $1.075 - $1,350

     

     

     Budget Totals

    Pre-arrival Costs (including visa application and visa cost)

    $2,750

    Five weeks on the TESOL Course Total plus two weeks additional to finalize work authorization

    $2,327

    First Month Teaching Total

    Participants are able to spend much less than the amount stated here depending on your spending habits. The amount given is a safe approximation.

    $1,325

    Approximate Total (Pre-arrival, TESOL & Placement Program, and living costs to first salary)

    $6,402

     

    For Irish Citizens

    For Irish citizens, the startup costs are significantly lower as they are part of the EU.

    Pre-arrival Costs (including visa application and visa cost)

    $760

    Five weeks on the TESOL Course Total plus two weeks additional to finalize work authorization

    $1,682

    First Month Teaching Total

    Participants are able to spend much less than the amount stated here depending on your spending habits. The amount given is a safe approximation.

    $1,325

    Approximate Total (Pre-arrival, TESOL & Placement Program, and living costs to first salary)

    $3,767

    We strongly suggest that you have access to $4000 – $5000 USD when you arrive in Spain to buffer any unforeseen costs prior to your first pay check. 

     

    We realize that moving abroad to teach English in Spain is expensive at first, but remember that with TravelBud your teaching job is guaranteed.

    • You can focus on enjoying your new lifestyle knowing your monthly income of $1100 – $1400 USD is secured.
    • Once you start earning a salary, your living costs will be comfortably covered and you’ll start to learn how to cut down on your monthly expenses (for example, eating out less and finding the most affordable grocery store in your placement town).