The upfront cash
It is easy to underestimate the cash you need before you even have the keys. Write down each item with a real figure from the listing or the landlord.
For example, with take-home pay of €2,000, rent of €700 and a deposit of two months' rent, you would pay €1,400 deposit plus €700 for the first month, and set aside €600 for moving and basics – €2,700 in total. If you already have €1,000 and can save €300 a month, the remaining €1,700 takes about six months (€1,700 ÷ €300 ≈ 5.7).
If the total feels out of reach, you have options: a cheaper place, sharing with flatmates, buying furniture slowly or moving a few months later. Each one is a sensible choice, not a step back.
- Rental deposit and first month's rent.
- Agency or admin fees, if any apply where you live.
- Moving costs: van, help, boxes.
- Basics: bed, kitchen items, cleaning supplies.
- Connection or setup fees for internet and utilities.
The new monthly costs
Rent is only the start. Living alone or with flatmates also means bills that someone else may have paid before. Ask the landlord or previous tenant for typical utility costs, and check what is included in the rent.
Once you have the list, put it into a simple budget next to your take-home pay. If the total leaves nothing for saving, it is better to know now than three months in.
- Rent and any service charges.
- Energy, water and heating.
- Internet and phone.
- Insurance for your belongings, if you choose it.
- Groceries, household items, transport.
- Any local fees or taxes for residents – these depend on your country.
Before you sign
Read the contract slowly, and ask about anything unclear. Note how much notice you must give to leave, what the deposit can be used for, and how and when it is returned.
On moving day, take dated photos of each room, any damage and the meter readings. It takes ten minutes and makes it much easier to get your deposit back later. Rules on deposits and tenant rights depend on your country.
Sharing with flatmates
Sharing can cut your costs, but it adds one more thing to agree on: who pays what, and when. Settle it before you move in, not after the first bill.
Write the agreement down, even as a short message everyone replies to. It feels formal, but it protects friendships.
- Whose name is on the contract and on each bill.
- How rent and bills are split, and the day each person pays.
- How shared items like cleaning supplies are bought.
- What happens if someone moves out early.
Keep a cushion
Your moving money and your emergency fund are two different pots. If moving uses up all your savings, a single broken appliance or late payslip can push you into debt.
Aim to move with at least a small cushion left over, then rebuild it as a priority in your first months.
During the first three months, track what you actually spend. Real bills can differ from estimates, and adjusting your budget early is much easier than catching up later. How big should your emergency fund be? helps you pick a target.