How small expenses have a big impact: Simple tips for expats to save €300 a month

Oh, the excitement of moving to a new country. A whole world of new choices awaits, new-found freedom and a lot of new experiences to savour. Unfortunately, sometimes this also means new, unexpected costs. From setting up your life in a new country to navigating unfamiliar systems, expenses can quickly add up, and this is why we would like to give you a quick heads-up on how to offset some of these new costs.

Why small expenses matter even more when you live abroad

While of course it is important as an expat to focus on big financial decisions like rent or schooling, it’s often the small, everyday expenses that quietly add up and undermine your financial stability.

A few extra coffees at these fabulous new cafes you stumbled across, frequent eating out at that beach side restaurant you just can’t resist, old subscriptions that sit unused, because they do not align with your new lifestyle, or other convenience spending may seem insignificant. But over the course of a month, these habits can easily cost €200 – €300. And let’s be real: As much as we do not begrudge you a bit of fun in your new life, you should make sure to create a financial buffer for any unforeseen expenses that almost certainly will come your way.

The hidden cost of “settling in”

So, you have arrived at your new place, and maybe you have experienced it before as a tourist, visiting, staying in hotels, etc. You will quickly find out that when you first move abroad, there are many things you still need to learn about this new and amazing world. But this comes with a transition period, where spending tends to increase naturally.

The first few weeks are so exciting. You are exploring, still finding your bearings in your new place, and making exciting discoveries every day. But maybe you don’t have any means of transport (car, bike, scooter), yet, and having figured out the new public transport system, which in some countries can be quite confusing. So, you naturally turn to taxis or Uber, and costs add up quickly.

The same might be true for food: You don’t know where the best supermarket is, or your kitchen is not ready to be cooked in, and you find yourself constantly eating out or ordering in, because the new food is just so enticing. You might also go for more convenience than responsible spending and or sign on for multiple services “just to get started”. This behaviour is normal and pretty understandable in the beginning of your new life in a different country, but be careful that they do not turn into long-term habits!

Many expats only realise months later that their cost of living is a lot higher than expected. And the reason is seldom major expenses, but poor budgeting and small daily expenses that add up. Here is what you can do to escape the pattern:

Make your spending visible

Before you start looking at where to save money, take a good look at where it actually goes. And that means tracking your spending for a certain amount of time. A month would be great, but even just one or two weeks can help you figure out what is happening to your money.

Some of the things you should note are:

• How often do you eat out (Starbucks, etc, count too!)?
• What is your grocery budget and is it in line with what you are actually spending?
• What convenience costs do you have (including paying for services, apps, etc.)?

This step alone often leads to immediate savings, because awareness naturally changes behaviour.

Reduce food and convenience spending – Save €100 to €150/month

Once you know where your money is going, it is time to make tweaks. Food is one of the biggest areas where small adjustments can lead to meaningful savings. As mentioned before, as an expat, it’s easy to rely on food delivery apps, eating out frequently, or spending money on expensive imported or familiar products. When homesickness hits, you want the comfort of your favourite foods. Unfortunately, these habits can put you into a hole, especially over a longer period of time.

Luckily, with a bit of effort, you can easily save quite a bit. Start by cooking a few more meals at home each week. It does not have to be complicated or elaborate and can actually be fun. A great experience that adds to your experience in the new country as a whole. Look up a few of your favourite local recipes and start learning how to make them. This also helps you to use local products instead of imported ones. And can impress your family and friends when they come over to visit! Start trying out the alternatives available to you.

Try to plan or prep meals in advance to avoid takeaways and eating out all the time. You don’t need to eliminate eating out completely, as it will help with socialising and finding friends in a new country. But just make sure to reduce the frequency. Even cutting two or three restaurant meals per week can easily save you over €100 per month.

Have a look through your old subscriptions – Save €30 to €80/month

When relocating, many people sign up for multiple new services that might be helpful in the beginning, or they forget to cancel the old ones. Among these are streaming platforms, language apps, fitness memberships and delivery services. Some of these you might not need in your new location or there are cheaper alternatives.

When weeding them out, review everything you are paying for monthly and ask yourself the following questions: Do I actually use this app? Would I notice if it was gone? Cancelling just a few unused services can free up a surprising amount of money that can make a noticeable difference in your budget.

Optimise your local contracts – Save €50 to €100/month

Expats often overpay for things in the new country, simply because they are unfamiliar with local options. Some suggestions to check prices on:

• Visa costs
• Mobile phone plans
• Internet providers
• Utility contracts
• Banking fees

Switching to a more suitable plan or renegotiating prices with your provider can reduce fixed costs without changing your lifestyle, so make sure you revise these from time to time to make sure you are getting the best plan for you!

Build a habit of intentional spending

Saving money is not so much about restriction as it is about awareness.

A simple but effective thing you can do, is to pause before making small purchases and asking yourself: Do I really need this right now? Is there a better alternative? This doesn’t mean saying no to everything. It means consciously choosing the things that actually add value to your life instead of clutter.

Over time, this habit alone can reduce unnecessary spending by €50 or more per month.

Why these small savings matter for expats

Saving €300 a month might not seem life-changing at first. But over time, it creates something far more valuable than the money you keep in your pocket: it creates financial resilience. Living abroad often involves uncertainties, and among these are unexpected medical costs, unforeseen changes in income, emergency travel, and last but not least, administrative challenges. Having a financial buffer or emergency savings helps you handle these situations without stress, so what you are ultimately buying with your money is peace of mind.

The connection to healthcare and financial protection

One area where financial preparation is especially important is healthcare. Medical systems vary widely from country to country. Access, costs, and quality of care can differ significantly, and unexpected health issues, even little ones, can quickly become expensive. In some countries, there is a big discrepancy between prices for locals and prices for foreigners. This is where many expats underestimate the importance of being properly insured.

One of the best moves you can make to give you peace of mind and protect yourself from incurring high costs is having a reliable international health insurance plan, such as those offered by Global Health. Some of the things that are offered include international medical coverage, access to quality healthcare with reduced waiting times, emergency repatriation, online second medical opinion, multilingual assistance, additional wellness services such as mental coaching, fitness program, etc.

This ensures that you can access quality care without worrying about financial strain.

Small savings can fund big protection

Keep in mind that you are saving money to build a stress-free life and to sleep better at night. The €200–€300 you save each month from small adjustments, that are not even real sacrifices, can be redirected toward things that grant you peace. Whether that’s building an emergency fund, covering insurance premiums, or creating long-term financial security. You might even have enough to invest a little, building up that future nest egg. Instead of disappearing into not very meaningful everyday spending, that money becomes a tool for stability to make your new future less overwhelming and more exciting.