Living in Europe with Kids: Visas, EU Rules, Schools and Real Costs

Europe Through Our Family’s Eyes 🌍

Europe isn’t a destination for us. It’s half of our family.

Marty was born and raised in the Netherlands. I arrived from Queensland at 25 and ended up staying for about 13 years, with a two-year world trip squeezed in the middle. Louie and Leo were both born into that Dutch life of bikes, rain jackets and trains that actually run on time. 🚲

This year, we packed up and started travelling full time. We’re writing this from Vietnam, with Europe very much still on our list of future bases.

So this guide mixes two things. Some countries we know first-hand, as a couple or with the boys. Others we’ve researched carefully but haven’t visited yet, and each country card tells you which is which.

What we can’t give you is one “best” country. What we can give you is the practical stuff that decides whether Europe works for a family: who can stay, for how long, what school looks like, and what it really costs. If you’d like the inspiration first, start with our Europe inspiration guide, then come back here for the nuts and bolts.

One Family, Two Passports: How EU Rules Work for Us

Our family is a good example of how uneven Europe’s rules can be. Marty and the boys hold Dutch passports. I hold an Australian one.

That means Marty can live and work anywhere in the EU. When I travel or live in another EU country with him, I can use the EU rules for family members of EU citizens. Those rules don’t apply in Marty’s own country, though. In the Netherlands, only Dutch national rules applied to me.

In practice, I’ve lived in the Netherlands on a Dutch residence card. Next year, I plan to apply for EU long-term residence. I could also apply for a Dutch passport, and I’m still weighing up whether that’s worth doing. What’s simple for Marty often means extra paperwork and extra checks for me.

It isn’t always smooth, either. We once tried to move to Spain, with a plan to work in Gibraltar, and learnt the hard way that Gibraltar sits outside these rules. That story lives in our guide to staying longer without a nomad visa.

If your family has mixed passports

• Check which rules apply to each person, not just the main applicant.
• Remember that permission to enter isn’t permission to live or work.
• Carry marriage and birth certificates, officially translated where needed.
• Check current details with the immigration authority of the country you’re moving to.

Schengen, EES and ETIAS for Non-EU Families

Most of the EU, plus a few non-EU countries, forms the Schengen Area. Visitors from countries like Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the US and Canada can usually stay 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole area combined, not per country. Kids count too, from birth.

Two things changed recently:

• EES (the Entry/Exit System) now takes fingerprints and a photo the first time you enter, and records every entry and exit. It has been fully running across Schengen since 10-04-2026.
• ETIAS, a pre-travel authorisation, isn’t running yet. The EU expects it to start in the last quarter of 2026, with a transition period. Only apply through the EU’s official ETIAS site.

Five countries in this guide sit outside Schengen: Georgia, Armenia, Moldova, Montenegro and Albania. Time spent there doesn’t use up your Schengen days, which is why many non-EU families rotate through them. Some Schengen countries also have old bilateral agreements with Australia and New Zealand that allow extra time in that one country, so check before relying on them. More detail is available from the European Commission and in our guide to legal ways to stay longer.

Nomad Visas and Residence Routes by Country

This table is for non-EU families. EU citizens and their family members generally use free movement instead. We checked these against official government sources on 25-09-2026. Income thresholds change often, so treat every figure on this page as a starting point and check current details before you apply.

Being allowed to live somewhere isn’t the same as being allowed to work there, or to be tax resident there. For the bigger picture, see how nomad visas have changed since 2020.

What Europe Really Costs a Family

Rent decides almost everything. The same family can spend under €2,000 a month in Bansko and over €5,000 in Amsterdam.

The figures below come from our cost comparison of 50+ nomad family destinations, last updated in September 2026. They assume a family of four, a 3-bedroom rental outside the most expensive centre, and a modest but comfortable lifestyle. Most are estimates. Two are based on Numbeo’s family-of-four data for that city.

Not included: flights, visas, health insurance, private school fees and anything to do with your home back home. Health insurance alone can add a few hundred euros a month for a family, and private schools can add far more.

Denmark, Armenia, Moldova, Slovenia, Montenegro and Albania aren’t in our cost comparison yet, so we haven’t given them a figure. Check current rental listings and Numbeo before you set a budget.

🇵🇹 Portugal

📍 We’ve been here: as a couple, and with Louie

Where Our Family Travels Began

Portugal was Louie’s very first flight, at three months old. That trip came with a missed car ferry in the dark, two rental cars, Marty’s whole Dutch family and a last-minute hotel somewhere outside Lisbon. 😅

The next morning, we made it to Tróia, and it was stunning. Portugal was one of the first places that made us believe travelling with kids could actually work. A lot has changed since, especially rents, so here’s the practical picture for 2026.

Where Families Base Themselves

Most families start in Lisbon or Porto, or along the coast in towns like Cascais and Ericeira. Down south, the Algarve suits families who want beaches and a slower pace. We compare the two in Algarve vs Lisbon.

Lisbon is the priciest option. Porto and smaller coastal towns usually stretch a budget further, although you’ll want a car in many of them.

Visa and Residence

For non-EU remote workers, the main route is the D8 visa, not the D7 (which is for passive income). The base requirement is four times Portugal’s minimum wage, so €3,680 a month in 2026. Adding a partner and two children brings it to about €4,692.

Families should apply together from abroad. Since October 2025, reunifying a spouse from inside Portugal can involve a long wait. Our Portugal visa guide has the detail, and Portugal’s official visa portal has the official rules.

Schooling and Budget

Homeschooling in Portugal is legal with registration, and there are international schools around Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve.

On our cost estimates, a family of four needs about €4,450 a month in Lisbon and about €3,350 in Porto, before flights, insurance and school fees.

The Trade-offs

Rents have climbed fast, especially in Lisbon. Residence appointments can take a long time, the Atlantic stays cold even in summer, and Porto’s winters are wet.

The upside hasn’t changed: pastéis de nata, easy-going cafés and neighbourhood squares where kids run around until late.

🇪🇸 Spain

📍 We’ve been here: as a couple

Late Dinners, Markets and a Football-Mad Nine-Year-Old

Marty and I have travelled in Spain as a couple. Louie hasn’t been yet, but he has a very specific reason to go: he’s a big FC Barcelona fan, so a match in Barcelona sits near the top of his wish list. ⚽

For families, Spain’s appeal is simple. Life happens outdoors, kids are welcome at dinner, and the country is big enough to offer beach cities, mountains and islands.

Where Families Base Themselves

Valencia is the favourite for many nomad families: flat, bike-friendly and cheaper than the big two. Barcelona has more international schools but much higher rents. Málaga and the Costa del Sol suit families chasing winter sunshine.

Visa and Residence

Spain’s digital nomad visa is one of the clearest in Europe for families. The main applicant needs about €2,849 a month, with extra for each family member, so roughly €4,630 for a family of four. Some consulates use a lower calculation, so check yours.

Partners can work in Spain, which is rare. The catches: you must register with Spanish Social Security, and you can’t spend more than six months a year outside Spain. Read our Spain digital nomad visa guide or go straight to Spain’s Unit for Large Companies (UGE).

Schooling and Budget

Homeschooling in Spain is a legal grey area, so many nomad families use an online school registered elsewhere. In public schools, kids may learn in Catalan or Valencian as well as Spanish.

On our cost estimates, a family of four needs about €3,500 a month in Valencia and €4,250 in Barcelona.

The Trade-offs

Southern summers are fierce, and Barcelona rents are hard on a family budget. Bureaucracy moves slowly.

On the plus side, the food markets are wonderful, and a glass of cava on a warm evening is a pretty good end to a school day. 🥂

🇪🇪 Estonia

🔎 Researched, not visited yet

Medieval Streets and a Very Digital Government

We haven’t been to Estonia yet, but it keeps coming up with remote-working families. Estonia runs almost all public services online, and Tallinn’s old town looks like a storybook. For families who rely on fast internet and like being close to forests and sea, Estonia is worth a look.

Where Families Base Themselves

Most families choose Tallinn, often around Kalamaja, a relaxed neighbourhood of wooden houses, cafés and parks. Tartu, the university city, is smaller and quieter.

Tallinn has offered free public transport for registered residents, so check the current rules when you arrive.

Visa and Residence

Estonia’s Digital Nomad Visa requires a gross income of about €4,500 a month. It lasts up to 12 months, and each family member applies for their own visa. There’s a limit of 548 days in any 730, so it isn’t a long-term base. Check current details with Estonia’s Police and Border Guard Board.

Schooling and Budget

Homeschooling in Estonia is legal with notification. On our cost estimates, a family of four needs about €3,050 a month in Tallinn.

The Trade-offs

Winters are long and dark, and summers are short. Estonian is a hard language to learn, and flights to Southern Europe take longer than you might expect. Kids who love snow will be in heaven, though. ❄️

🇬🇪 Georgia

🔎 Researched, not visited yet

Mountains, Wine Country and Long Visa-Free Stays

Georgia sits where Europe meets Asia, and it’s on our list for two reasons: the food and the wine region of Kakheti. 🍷 We haven’t been yet, so this section is based on research.

Most nomad families base themselves in Tbilisi, a city of steep lanes, sulphur baths and carved wooden balconies.

Where Families Base Themselves

Families usually look at Vake, a greener residential area, or the old town if they don’t mind hills and stairs. Weekend trips run to the mountains around Kazbegi and the vineyards of Kakheti.

Visa and Residence

Georgia has no nomad visa, and doesn’t need one for many families. EU and UK citizens can stay visa-free for a full year. Australians, New Zealanders, Americans and Canadians are also visa-free, but check the length of stay for your passport.

You may read about the “Remotely from Georgia” programme. That was a 2020 scheme, not today’s main route. There are also reports of a 2026 insurance requirement, so check current details with the Georgian National Tourism Administration before you fly.

Schooling and Budget

Homeschooling in Georgia is legal with minimal requirements. On our cost estimates, a family of four needs about €2,600 a month in Tbilisi.

The Trade-offs

Tbilisi’s hills and uneven footpaths are tough with a pram, traffic is chaotic, and Georgian has its own alphabet. Georgia isn’t in the EU or Schengen, which is a plus if you’re counting Schengen days.

For a vegetarian family, the food is a delight: bean stews, walnut-stuffed vegetables and, of course, khachapuri.

🇭🇷 Croatia

📍 We’ve been here: as a couple

Islands, Old Towns and Long Summer Evenings

Marty and I camped near Split before the boys came along, and took a boat out to one of the islands. It’s still one of our favourite ways to see a coastline on a budget.

For families, Croatia offers sea, history and a relaxed pace, with the practical benefit of being in the EU and Schengen.

Where Families Base Themselves

Split is the coastal favourite, with Diocletian’s Palace in the centre and ferries to the islands. Zagreb, the capital, feels more Central European and stays busy all year. Dubrovnik is beautiful but expensive, and works best outside summer.

Visa and Residence

Croatia’s digital nomad temporary stay now lasts up to 18 months. The income requirement is linked to Croatia’s average net salary: roughly €3,620 a month for the main applicant, plus a smaller amount for each family member.

Family members apply after the main applicant is approved. Check current details with Croatia’s Ministry of the Interior.

Schooling and Budget

Homeschooling in Croatia is restricted for residents, so it works better for shorter stays than for settling in.

On our cost estimates, a family of four needs about €2,600 a month in Split and €2,300 in Zagreb.

The Trade-offs

Summers are crowded and pricey. Some landlords switch to holiday lets in peak season, and many coastal businesses close over winter. Old town stone steps are hard work with a pram.

Save room for the local wines, Plavac Mali and Pošip. 🍷

🇳🇱 Netherlands

📍 Our home for about 13 years

The Country We Know Best

Marty was born and raised in the Netherlands, and it was my home for about 13 years. We lived in Utrecht, and both boys started life there, on the back of a bike more often than in a car. 🚲

So we’ll be honest in both directions. The Netherlands is safe, well organised and brilliant for cycling families. It’s also expensive, crowded and one of the strictest countries in Europe about school.

Where Families Base Themselves

Amsterdam gets the attention, but Utrecht, Leiden and Haarlem offer much of the same quality with a stronger neighbourhood feel. Most families get around by bike, with dedicated lanes and child seats making daily trips easy, and trains cover the longer journeys.

Visa and Schooling

There’s no nomad visa. Non-EU remote workers usually need a self-employed permit, which uses a points system. The DAFT treaty route is only for US and Japanese citizens. Check current details with the IND.

Homeschooling is effectively banned for children registered in the Netherlands. That’s a big reason we deregistered as a family before we left, a story we tell in our unschooling guide.

Budget and Trade-offs

On our cost estimates, a family of four needs about €5,200 a month in Amsterdam. Other cities cost less, but the housing shortage makes renting hard everywhere.

Expect rain, wind and very direct neighbours. In return, you get bike paths everywhere, excellent museums and a food scene that’s more interesting than its reputation, especially for a family that cooks vegetarian.

🇩🇪 Germany

📍 We’ve been here: as a couple, and with Louie

Where Louie Fell in Love with Trains

Germany is where Louie learnt to love train travel. We’ve taken the train to Berlin more than once, and in winter we’ve headed south to the snow. 🚆

From the Netherlands it’s an easy trip, and it’s easy to forget how big an adventure it feels to a small boy watching the country roll past the window.

Where Families Base Themselves

Berlin is green, multicultural and cheaper than Munich, which is one of Germany’s most expensive cities. Hamburg, Leipzig and Freiburg offer smaller-city alternatives. Public transport is good enough that many families live without a car.

Visa and Residence

Germany has no nomad visa. Its freelance residence permit is for people working for German clients, not remote workers with overseas employers. Permits can last up to 3 years. Check current details with Make it in Germany.

Schooling, Budget and Trade-offs

Homeschooling is effectively banned, and school attendance is compulsory for resident children. That makes Germany a hard fit for worldschooling families who plan to register there.

On our cost estimates, a family of four needs about €4,350 a month in Berlin. Expect paperwork, a competitive rental market and shops closed on Sundays. The vegetarian food in Berlin is excellent, though.

🇩🇰 Denmark

🔎 Researched, not visited yet

Cosy, Safe and Expensive

We haven’t been to Denmark yet. It regularly ranks among the happiest countries in the world, and its cities are designed around bikes, parks and playgrounds. For many nomad families, though, the cost and the visa rules rule it out.

Where Families Base Themselves and Visas

Copenhagen is the obvious base, with Aarhus a smaller and slightly cheaper alternative.

There’s no nomad visa. The main route for non-EU founders is Start-up Denmark, which needs an approved business plan. It isn’t designed for remote employees. Check current details with New to Denmark.

Schooling, Budget and Trade-offs

Homeschooling is legal, but a Danish-language requirement makes it impractical for most travelling families.

Denmark isn’t in our cost comparison yet, but expect it to be one of the most expensive countries in this guide. Winters are dark and wet, and Danish is tricky to pick up.

🇦🇲 Armenia

🔎 Researched, not visited yet

Ancient Monasteries and Long Visa-Free Stays

Armenia is a small, mountainous country in the South Caucasus, on the edge of Europe and Asia. We haven’t been yet. It appeals to families who want history, mountains and a slower pace outside the EU.

Where Families Base Themselves

Most nomads live in Yerevan, the capital, with its cafés and the Cascade steps. Quieter residential areas like Arabkir suit families. Day trips run to Garni Temple, Geghard Monastery and Lake Sevan.

Visa and Residence

Armenia has no nomad visa. Citizens of many countries, including Australia, New Zealand, the US and the EU, can stay visa-free for up to 180 days a year. Check current details with Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Schooling, Budget and Trade-offs

We haven’t verified Armenia’s homeschooling rules yet, so check with local authorities. Armenia isn’t in our cost comparison yet either.

Armenian has its own script, international schools are limited, and the region has ongoing tensions, so check your government’s travel advice. The food is a highlight: fresh lavash, apricots, walnuts and wine from Areni.

🇧🇬 Bulgaria

🔎 Researched, not visited yet

Mountains, the Black Sea and Lower Costs

Bulgaria is one of the cheapest countries in the EU, and it’s now in the euro area and the Schengen Area too. We haven’t been yet, but Bansko has become a well-known base for nomad and worldschooling families.

Where Families Base Themselves and Visas

Sofia, the capital, sits beneath Vitosha mountain. Plovdiv has a walkable old town. Bansko is a ski town with a strong nomad community.

Bulgaria added a digital nomad residence permit in 2025. It lasts one year and can be extended once, and family members join through family reunification. The income requirement is linked to Bulgaria’s minimum wage, so check the current figure with Bulgaria’s State Gazette or a Bulgarian consulate.

Schooling, Budget and Trade-offs

We haven’t verified Bulgaria’s homeschooling rules yet, so check before you commit. On our cost estimates, a family of four needs about €2,100 a month in Sofia and €1,950 in Bansko.

Bulgarian uses the Cyrillic alphabet, bureaucracy can be slow, and the Black Sea coast is very seasonal.

🇲🇩 Moldova

🔎 Researched, not visited yet

Wine Country and a Slow Pace

Moldova is a small country between Romania and Ukraine, known for its wine cellars and rural villages. We haven’t been. It suits families who want a quiet, low-key life and don’t need a big expat scene.

Where Families Base Themselves and Visas

Most people live in Chișinău, the capital, which has wide streets and plenty of parks. The underground wine cellars at Cricova and the cliffside monastery at Orheiul Vechi are popular trips.

Since 20-09-2025, Moldova has a digital nomad right of stay for up to two years. The income requirement is three times the average salary. It isn’t confirmed yet whether families can join, so check with Moldova’s General Inspectorate for Migration.

Schooling, Budget and Trade-offs

We haven’t verified Moldova’s homeschooling rules, and Moldova isn’t in our cost comparison yet. International schools are limited, and English is less widely spoken.

Moldova isn’t in the EU or Schengen. Check your government’s travel advice, especially about the Transnistria region.

🇮🇹 Italy

📍 We’ve been here: as a couple, and with Louie

Tomato Sauce in Tuscany

When Louie was about three, we went glamping in Tuscany. Our favourite ritual was walking to the farm nearby to buy tomatoes still warm from the sun. We’d turn them into a fresh sauce with local olive oil, and it’s still one of the best things we’ve ever cooked. 🍅

That’s the Italy we’d go back for: slow, seasonal and built around the table.

Where Families Base Themselves

Rome and Florence are the big names. Bologna is often described as one of Italy’s most liveable cities, and Bari in the south is cheaper and less touristy. Smaller towns offer the Tuscan kind of life, but usually need a car.

Visa and Residence

Italy’s digital nomad and remote worker visa does exist, despite what older articles say. Official sources quote different income figures, so budget for about €25,000 to €28,000 a year and confirm with your consulate.

You’ll need a registered lease before applying and must visit the Questura (local immigration office) within eight working days of arriving. Partners can work in Italy. Check current details with Italy’s official integration portal.

Schooling, Budget and Trade-offs

Homeschooling is legal with notification and an annual exam. On our cost estimates, a family of four needs about €4,050 a month in Rome.

Paperwork is slow, August is hot and many businesses close, and popular cities are expensive. The food, of course, makes up for a lot.

🇬🇷 Greece

📍 We’ve been here: as a couple

Easter in Athens, Islands Next

Marty and I spent Greek Orthodox Easter in Athens with my mum, and the whole trip is in our Greece guide. Now the islands are high on our family wish list. 🌊

Athens surprised us. It’s more liveable than its reputation, and Thessaloniki in the north is cheaper and more relaxed.

Visa and Residence

Greece’s digital nomad visa needs €3,500 a month after tax for the main applicant. Families need more, but the exact family uplift isn’t clear on government pages yet, and the extension route changed in recent years. Check current details with the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs or your Greek consulate.

Schooling, Budget and Trade-offs

Homeschooling is effectively banned for residents, which matters if you plan to register there. On our cost estimates, a family of four needs about €3,150 a month in Athens.

Summers are very hot, islands get expensive in peak season, and island internet can be patchy. For a vegetarian, though, the menus are easy: beans, salads and vegetable dishes everywhere.

🇸🇮 Slovenia

📍 We’ve been here: as a couple

A Swan Boat on Lake Bled

Marty and I spent time in Ljubljana and at Lake Bled before the boys came along. My favourite memory is the swan boat on the lake, easily one of the most romantic things we’ve done together. 🦢

We’d love to go back with the boys, this time with more playgrounds and fewer candlelit dinners.

Where Families Base Themselves and Visas

Ljubljana has a car-free centre, riverside cafés and a castle on the hill, and it’s small enough to cross by bike. Lake Bled is under an hour away.

Since 21-11-2025, Slovenia has a digital nomad residence permit. It lasts up to one year, can’t be extended, and family members can join straight away. The income requirement is twice the average net salary, about €3,360 a month on recent figures. Check current details with the Slovenian government.

Schooling, Budget and Trade-offs

We haven’t verified Slovenia’s homeschooling rules yet, and Slovenia isn’t in our cost comparison. The expat community is small, rentals are limited, and Slovene takes effort. Outdoor families will find a lot to love.

🇲🇪 Montenegro

🔎 Researched, not visited yet

Mountains Dropping Into the Adriatic

Montenegro packs mountains, a fjord-like bay and walled towns into a very small country. We haven’t been yet. It’s popular with families who want Adriatic coastline without Croatian prices.

Where Families Base Themselves and Visas

Kotor is the most atmospheric base, Tivat is more polished, Budva is busy in summer, and Podgorica, the capital, is the practical choice.

Montenegro’s Law on Foreigners includes a temporary residence permit for digital nomads. We couldn’t confirm the current details on an official government page, and other sources disagree about how long it lasts and whether the programme continues beyond 2026. Check with Montenegro’s Ministry of Interior before you plan around it. Montenegro isn’t in the EU or Schengen.

Schooling, Budget and Trade-offs

We haven’t verified Montenegro’s homeschooling rules, and it isn’t in our cost comparison yet. Summers are crowded, winters on the coast are very quiet, schooling options are limited, and a car makes life much easier.

🇦🇹 Austria

📍 We’ve been here: as a couple

Alpine Weekends and Well-Run Cities

Marty and I have travelled in Austria as a couple. For families, it combines efficient cities with lakes and mountains close by, at a price.

Where Families Base Themselves and Visas

Vienna has excellent public transport and plenty of parks. Graz is a more affordable alternative, and Salzburg is smaller with the mountains on its doorstep.

Austria has no nomad visa. The Red-White-Red Card has routes for self-employed key workers and start-up founders, not remote employees. Check current details with Austria’s official migration portal.

Schooling, Budget and Trade-offs

Homeschooling is legal with notification and an annual evaluation. On our cost estimates, a family of four needs about €4,550 a month in Vienna. German is essential for paperwork, and shops close on Sundays.

🇨🇿 Czech Republic

🔎 Researched, not visited yet

On Our List, by Night Train

Marty passed through Prague on a train trip across Eastern Europe years ago, and friends keep telling us it was their favourite city. We’d love to arrive on the night train from Amsterdam. Our Prague guide has the full picture.

Where Families Base Themselves and Visas

In Prague, families often look at Vinohrady and Dejvice for parks and schools. Brno, the second city, is cheaper.

The Czech Digital Nomad Program is open to Australian, New Zealand, UK, US and Canadian passport holders, and families can be included. Check current details with the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Schooling, Budget and Trade-offs

Individual (home) education is legal at primary level. On our cost estimates, a family of four needs about €2,850 a month in Prague. Rents in central Prague have climbed, and Czech is a hard language.

🇦🇱 Albania

🔎 Researched, not visited yet

Beaches, Mountains and Lower Costs

Albania has gone from overlooked to very popular in just a few years. We haven’t been yet. Families are drawn by the Ionian beaches, the mountains in the north and prices well below neighbouring Greece.

Where Families Base Themselves

Tirana, the capital, has colourful buildings, a big park with a lake and a busy café culture. Sarandë on the southern coast suits families who want a beach-town rhythm, and Shkodër in the north is close to lakes and mountains.

Visa and Residence

Albania’s 2021 Law on Foreigners created a Unique Permit for digital nomads, applied for through the e-Albania government portal. We haven’t yet confirmed the current requirements on an official page, so check them before you apply.

Visa-free stays depend on your passport. Albania isn’t in the EU or Schengen.

Schooling and Budget

We haven’t verified Albania’s homeschooling rules, and Albania isn’t in our cost comparison yet. International schools are mainly in Tirana.

The Trade-offs

Infrastructure outside the main towns is uneven, driving can be hectic, and popular beaches are packed in July and August.

The food makes up for a lot: byrek straight from the bakery, local olive oil and a wine scene that’s still finding its feet. 🍷

🇭🇺 Hungary

📍 We’ve both been here, separately

Grand Budapest at Lower Prices

I visited Budapest on a solo trip, and Marty went years earlier with friends. Our Budapest guide has my story and the practical detail.

Budapest offers thermal baths, a river city and good value by Western European standards. The catch is the visa: Hungary’s White Card needs €3,000 a month net income, and family members can’t join through family reunification, which rules it out for most non-EU families.

Homeschooling is legal with notification. On our cost estimates, a family of four needs about €2,400 a month in Budapest.

How to Choose Your First European Base

Start with the questions that can rule a country out, not the ones that make it sound lovely.

• Passports first. Can every person in your family stay long enough, legally? An EU passport in the family changes everything.
• School rules second. If you plan to homeschool while registered somewhere, avoid countries where it’s banned. Our worldschooling legal guide has the country-by-country detail, and our international schooling guide covers the school route.
• Budget third. Price the rent for the neighbourhood you’d actually live in, then add insurance, flights and schooling.
• Season fourth. A Croatian coastal town in January feels very different from July. So does Tallinn.
• Community last, but not least. Places like Valencia, Lisbon, Bansko and Tbilisi have active family communities, which makes the first weeks much easier.

If you’re torn between two places, try a month in each before signing a long lease.

FAQs

Which European country is easiest for nomad families?

It depends on your passports. EU families can live anywhere in the EU. For non-EU families, Spain, Portugal, Croatia and the Czech Republic have clear nomad or remote work routes that include family members. Check current income requirements before you apply.

Can we stay in Europe longer than 90 days without a visa?

Not in the Schengen Area as a whole. Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any 180-day period, and the new Entry/Exit System now records every entry and exit. Countries outside Schengen, like Albania and Georgia, have their own separate rules.

Is homeschooling legal in Europe?

It varies a lot. Germany, Greece and the Netherlands effectively ban it for residents. Italy, Austria, Estonia and Hungary allow it with notification. Our worldschooling legal guide has the detail for each country.

How much does it cost a family of four to live in Europe?

On our estimates, from about €1,950 a month in Bansko to about €5,200 in Amsterdam, before flights, insurance and school fees. Rent is the biggest variable. See the budget section above for what each estimate includes.

Do EU citizens need a digital nomad visa?

No. EU citizens can live in other EU countries under free movement rules, usually registering locally after three months. A non-EU partner usually applies for a residence card as a family member of an EU citizen.

What about a non-EU partner of an EU citizen?

EU family member rules usually help when you live together in an EU country other than the EU citizen’s own. In the EU citizen’s own country, national rules apply. Check current details with the local immigration authority.

Our Takeaways

Europe gave our family its first taste of travelling together: a missed ferry in Portugal, tomato sauce in Tuscany, trains to the snow in Germany. It’s also where we learnt how different the rules can be for two people in the same family.

If Europe is on your list, start with the boring questions. Who can stay, for how long, and can your kids learn the way you want them to? The beautiful part tends to take care of itself.

We’re not in Europe right now, but it’s never far from our minds. When we come back, we already know how we’d like to arrive: on a night train, waking up somewhere new. 🌍