Wondering how to house sit in Europe and travel affordably as a family? House sitting lets you stay in homes for free while caring for pets or maintaining the property. This article will guide you through finding opportunities, understanding responsibilities, and making the most of your European adventure.
We’ll discuss the various house sitting platforms, choosing where to visit, and our tips for creating a profile that will allow you to secure your first house sit.
Our family of 5 (we have 3 boys) has made two trips to Europe to house sit. Once for 7 months (11 housesits, visiting some family, and a few Airbnbs) and once for 3 months (a couple hotels but mostly house sitting in the UK).
Affiliate Disclosure: If you make a purchase based on a recommended link in this post, we may make a commission at no cost to you.
Our boys love housesitting in Europe since they get an opportunity to enjoy the company of our furry hosts
Here are the highlights of house sitting in Europe:
- House sitting in Europe is a cost-effective way to travel while living like a local and experiencing diverse cultures in the countries you visit.
- Popular countries for house sitting include France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, England, and Scotland, each providing unique experiences. We have also seen listings in nearly every country in Europe.
- Using house sitting websites and joining house sitting groups is the best way to get a house sitting assignment and save money on accommodations while traveling.
Discovering House Sitting Opportunities in Europe
House sitting in Europe offers travelers a chance to explore new places affordably, with opportunities located in bustling cities and tranquil countryside retreats.
When you house sit instead of move from hotel to hotel, you can experience the rich, local European cultures in areas you might not otherwise travel to and have the opportunity to visit historical landmarks and breathtaking landscapes—all while enjoying the comforts of a home away from home.
What is House Sitting?
House sitting allows you to travel while taking care of someone’s home and pets. Duties can include feeding pets, walking dogs, watering plants, and ensuring the home remains secure.
House sitting has offered us so many benefits as a family, including free accommodation and the chance to immerse ourselves in local culture. It has provided a unique opportunity for our family to experience life as a local, and we have gained deeper insight into the different countries we’ve visited.
Visiting a downtown hotel is a fun experience (like when we stayed in downtown Glasgow with our kids), but housesitting in someone’s neighborhood allows you to visit the local bakery, hear about their favorite coffee shop, or learn about the best place in town for fish and chips.
One of the best perks of house sitting is that it is money-saving – it helps you save money on accommodations, making travel within reach for traveling with your family on a budget. For us, weighing the responsibility of taking care of a pet and property has been a net benefit compared to the cost of accommodation.
We loved riding the train. This train took us from Paris to Strasbourg.
Why Choose to House Sit in Europe?
House sitting in Europe gives you the chance to experience daily life in local communities because you are living among the locals instead of among other tourists in a hotel. Rather than staying in hotels or hostels, house sitters live like residents, integrating into neighborhoods and gaining a deeper understanding of European culture.
It provides significant cost savings on accommodation, especially if you are traveling as a family, allowing you to allocate your budget toward dining, sightseeing, and activities.
Top European Countries for House Sitting
Europe is an incredible continent with a variety of house sitting opportunities, with each country offering its own unique experiences and attractions. From the romantic streets of Paris to the rolling hills of Tuscany, house sitters can explore the diverse cultures and historical landmarks that make Europe so captivating while in the comfort of people’s homes.
As more travelers try to find cost-effective ways to explore the continent, the demand for house sitters is increasing daily, making it easier to find assignments that suit your needs. We seemed to find multiple options to getting from one house sit to another. As a family, as much as we could, we rode the train, but there were opportunities when planes made the most sense.
Here’s how we decided between riding planes and trains in Europe.
House Sitting in France
France is a popular destination for house sitters, and you’ll get to choose between a wide variety of settings, from urban apartments in Paris to rustic chateaus or farms in the countryside. I guarantee that it will be hard to choose between the many beautiful parts of France to stay in! Imagine starting your day with fresh baguettes and chocolate croissants from the local boulangerie (bakery), exploring charming small towns with boutique shops, and visiting historic landmarks like castles.
House sitting in France offers everything you could expect while traveling this beautiful country- a blend of cultural experiences and home comforts. It’s the perfect option for travelers seeking to explore while having a comfortable home to relax in.
Adam almost killed a goat while pet sitting in France – thankfully the goat was fine! Here’s the story of how we almost killed a goat while petsitting in France.
We enjoyed petsitting in Europe and seeing iconic sites
House Sitting in Italy
Italy is another top choice for house sitters. There are opportunities ranging from urban apartments in Rome to tranquil villas in Tuscany and coastal towns. Travelers go to Italy to experience the country’s rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and delicious cuisine. Italy is a dream destination for many travelers, but can be out of reach for those who find accomodations to be too expensive.
House sitting in Italy allows you to have free accommodations while you are immersed in the Italian lifestyle, staying in historic cities or picturesque countryside vistas. What more could you ask for?
Visiting Rome on a layover to house sit in England
House Sitting in Spain
While traveling to Spain, house-sitters can enjoy bustling urban centers and peaceful rural retreats.
Many house-sitting assignments in Spain involve caring for homes in cities like Madrid and Barcelona, as well as more serene locations in the countryside. You will find that Spain, with its rich culture, beautiful landscapes, and welcoming communities, is a fantastic destination to house-sit in.
Visiting Madrid on a layover between house sits in Europe
House sitting in Switzerland
Switzerland is known for its high cost of living. Because of this, house sitting is a very attractive option for travelers looking to save money on accommodation or a means of making travel to Switzerland affordable for families. Do you want to experience the breathtaking Alps? Would you like to explore the charming cities like Zurich and taste the delicious chocolate made throughout Switzerland? This country offers so many amazing experiences for house sitters.
Given the high demand, apply early for housesits in Switzerland and check the websites and apps regularly for new opportunities if Switzerland is on your wish list of countries to travel to.
Here’s how we enjoyed petsitting in Switzerland.
Switzerland was an amazing experience, but not one that was in our budget outside of house sitting
House sitting in Germany
The warm environment and friendly, welcoming homeowners make it easy for house sitters to travel throughout Germany. There are so many beautiful cities in Germany to explore with stunning architecture. You’ll also see picturesque countrysides and experience rich culture, historic landmarks, festivals, and friendly communities. And don’t forget the delicious food you can find in Germany as well! Have I said enough to convince you to travel to Germany?
While house sitting in Germany, you’ll have the opportunity to visit castles, historic sites, and vibrant cities, allowing you to step back in time.
Berlin was an amazing stop filled with history and beautiful architecture
House Sitting in England
England, with its easy public transportation and diverse house-sitting assignments, is a wonderful destination to travel to and explore. Besides the historic cities like London and Manchester, be sure to experience the beautiful countryside. England has so much rich history with many cultural landmarks to visit as well as beautiful architecture.
Beginning your house sitting adventure in England can help you get accustomed to traveling in Europe before exploring other destinations. This is where we started our house sitting journey overseas.
Learn more about our experience while house sitting in England.
Can’t miss a phone booth picture in London while house sitting in England
House Sitting in Scotland
Scotland’s warm and welcoming citizens, untouched natural beauty, and interesting urban centres provide house sitters with wonderful and unique experiences. Excellent public transportation makes it easy to travel between major cities like Glasgow and Edinburgh and smaller towns in between. Be prepared for plenty of walking, especially as you explore uneven cobblestone surfaces and uphill paths at some of the most stunning, historic castles and breathtaking scenery you’ll see anywhere in the world.
House sitting in Scotland allows you the opportunity to experience a blend of the local culture, history, and amazing natural scenery.
Types of House Sitting Assignments in Europe
House sitting assignments in Europe cater to different preferences and lifestyles – do you prefer city life or countryside tranquility while caring for pets? Maybe a little bit of both?
While you are house sitting, you can expect typical duties to include basic pet care, managing gardens or watering plants, and ensuring the home remains secure. Besides these responsibilities, you’ll have plenty of time to explore the area you are staying in and relax.
Urban House Sits
If staying in a vibrant city is your cup of tea, a house sit will often involve caring for the pets in the home and maintaining urban homes or city apartments in the heart of the busy city.
While you house sit, you will love the convenience of being in walking distance of nearby shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions. This makes it easy to explore the city while fulfilling your duties as a house sitter.
Rural and Countryside House Sits
Rural and countryside house sits allow you a more laid-back experience than the bustling cities. You will be in a more serene environment, surrounded by picturesque landscapes in a peaceful setting. House sitters are often involved in managing larger properties like farms and daily farming tasks alongside pet care. This can be a great option for families who hope to have lots of space to spread out and spend more time outdoors.
House sitting in the countryside will give you the option to immerse yourself in nature and the local culture of nearby towns and villages. These house sit opportunities give you a more hands-on living experience.
We loved European train rides and prefered trains to plane getting from one house sit to another
Pet-Specific House Sits
Do you have a preference to care for specific types of pets? Pet-specific house sits give you the option to care for a variety of animals or the animals you are most comfortable with. This way, the animal is best cared for through feeding, walking, administering medication, and following specific care routines by pet sitters who are knowledgeable about these types of animals.
Accepting a pet sitter to care for pets in a private home is an essential service for many pet owners who are more comfortable with keeping their pets in their own homes rather than relocating them to a kennel or boarding house.
These assignments are a great option for travelers who are animal lovers and enjoy spending time with furry friends while providing necessary care for them and enjoying their company.
How to Find House Sitting Opportunities in Europe
Finding house sitting opportunities in Europe has become easier with various online platforms connecting sitters with homeowners. If you use these platforms and networking options that are available, you will secure an assignment fairly easily and can move ahead with your travel plans to visit these places to house sit and explore.
Using House Sitting Websites
House sitting websites like TrustedHousesitters and MindMyHouse provide a convenient way to find and accept assignments in various locations across Europe because there are always house-sitting options available throughout the year.
These websites and services allow people who enjoy traveling while house-sitting the option to explore new destinations, offering valuable services like pet care and home maintenance in return for free accommodation.
We’ve put together a comparison of house sitting websites so you can choose the best housesitting website option.
Applying for House Sits
Taking the time to create a well-crafted application is a very important aspect of securing house sitting assignments, especially with the number of housesitters in Europe on Trusted Housesitters. You have to find a way to stand out.
One of our tips is to personalize your message to address the homeowner’s specific needs and include references or testimonials from previous house sits to strengthen your application. Mention their pets by name to show that you took the time to read and understand their listing and this isn’t just a series of blanket applications. We’ll often say something like, “Our boys love cuddling with golden retrievers. They would love to spend a week in June cuddling with Rover.”
Highlighting your experience and genuine interest in house sitting can increase your chances of being selected. Offer to schedule a video call with the pet owner to help them get acquainted with you before they decide who they would like to pet sit for them.
Preparing for Your European House Sit
There are a few things you will need to take care of as you prepare to house sit in Europe and plan your travel there. Be sure to research visa regulations and travel requirements specific to your destination. This will help you understand the rules concerning entry into the country you are traveling to and help you plan how long your trip to that country will be.
Research what the weather will be like around your trip, since there are all 4 seasons within Europe and many different factors that affect the weather from elevation to humidity in various regions. Create a checklist of essential items to bring along with you so that you don’t forget anything important.
Visa and Travel Requirements
Travelers should be aware of Schengen zone regulations, which limit stays to 90 days within any 180 days without a valid visa. If you hold a passport from a non-Schengen country, plan trips outside the Schengen area to reset your visa allowance.
The UK, not part of the Schengen area, offers many house sitting opportunities and can be an excellent option for extended travel. For instance, you could spend 3 months in the Schengen zone, then 3 months in the UK, then go back for another 3 in the Schengen as long as you’re not in the Schengen zone for more than 3 months out of 6 months.
Packing Essentials
When preparing for a house sit, pack personal items and any essentials that may not be easily found in the host country. If you prefer to pack lightly, there will likely be stores you’ll have access to where you can buy anything else that you need while on your trip.
When we traveled with our kids to Europe, we preferred to only bring carry-on baggage with us. It was cost-saving compared to paying for checked bags and helped us not bring more than we needed. Here’s how we chose the best luggage for our kids.
Creating a checklist is a good idea so that you have everything needed for a comfortable and successful house sitting experience.
We visited our fair share of train stations in Europe while house sitting!
Understanding Host Expectations
Clear communication about expectations is crucial for a successful house sitting assignment. Discuss house rules, pet care routines, and other responsibilities with your host before they leave for their trip. Trusted Housesitters suggests that pet owners create a ‘Welcome Guide’ that you can review on their app that will give you details concerning your upcoming house sit. Clarifying house rules and specific expectations concerning their pet(s) upfront avoids misunderstandings and ensures a smooth experience for both parties.
Plan to provide regular updates on pets and the home for the homeowner to reassure them that everything is going well while they are away and build trust with them.
Living the House Sitting Lifestyle in Europe
Living the house sitting lifestyle in Europe is such an enriching experience, allowing you to enjoy home comforts while exploring new destinations and immersing in local cultures.
As a house sitter, it’s great to have the option of balancing your responsibilities with leisure activities to make the most of your time abroad. Listings on Trusted Housesitters in Europe will allow you to filter listings by “Accessible by public transportation” along with other filters, so you can be sure to find the exact type of listing you’re looking for.
Embracing Local Culture
House sitting offers us special and unique opportunities to immerse ousselves in local customs and lifestyles. We get to explore neighborhoods, visit cultural landmarks, and try regional cuisine along with learning about the culture of an area.
One specific example is “Quiet Sunday” while house sitting in Switzerland. There’s no lawn mowing, vacuuming, loud music at the park, or transport trucks driving through town. It’s a day where everyone chooses to keep quiet which is a peaceful change from the busyness of visiting Zurich.
A genuine love for the local community and culture enhances your travel experience, allowing you to explore the world in a life-changing way more meaningfully.
View this post on Instagram
Balancing Responsibilities and Leisure
Figure out what schedule will work best for you and the pets you are caring for so that you fulfill your responsibilities while still allowing for time to enjoy the new surroundings. Set specific times for the expected duties so there are no conflicts with any personal exploration plans you may have. Efficiently managing the chores and pet care will maximize your free time for excursions or sightseeing.
If you love hiking, you may ask if the dog can ride public transportation and enjoy the walk with you, or if the cats can be left for an evening while you go to a show, or if the pets are used to being home alone while the home owner is out at work during the day.
Research information about local festivals or community events in the areas you are staying so that you will have an enriching house sitting experience.
Building Connections and Friendships
Take time to interact with locals while you house sit. You’ll find that most neighbors are friendly, welcoming, and available to help you or give recommendations for local activities. These interactions may even lead to lasting friendships. Dine at local pubs, find LIVE music, chat with local coffee shop workers, or wander local markets.
Engaging with local residents and fellow travelers provides valuable insights and builds meaningful connections with new friends. We often make friends with the home owners we’re house sitting for since we have extended communication with them before we arrive, keep them updated while they’re away, and often follow up afterward.
In a few instances, we’ve stayed an extra night before or after our house sit to visit with a home owner who has become a friend, or returned to a house sit on a separate occasion.
We’ve become friends with this home owner after two petsits in England
Our Summary: Pet sitting in Europe:
House sitting in Europe offers an incredible opportunity to save money on accommodation while experiencing life as a local. From discovering diverse house sitting assignments and preparing for your trip to embracing the house sitting lifestyle and making lasting connections, this guide has covered all the essential aspects of house sitting in Europe. By following these tips and embracing the adventure, you can create unforgettable memories and enjoy a cost-effective European family vacation.
Whether you’re exploring the romantic streets of Paris, the historic landmarks of Italy, or the vibrant culture of Spain, house sitting allows you to immerse yourself in the local community and experience Europe in a unique and enriching way. So, take the plunge, start your house sitting journey, and discover the many wonders that Europe has to offer.
View this post on Instagram
Frequently Asked Questions About House sitting in Europe
Is Trusted Housesitters in Europe?
Yes, Trusted Housesitters has listing worldwide. Use our Trusted Housesitters discount to save 25% on your membership.
What are the main responsibilities of a house sitter?
A house sitter mainly takes care of pets, maintains the home, and handles any agreed-upon household tasks. It’s all about keeping everything running smoothly while the homeowner is away. Sometimes you may have to cut the grass, water plants, walk a dog, or change a litter box. Of course, you’ll need to feed the pets, provide them water, and spend time keeping them company while their owners are away.
Each house sit is unique, so before agreeing to a house sit, be sure to ask for full details about what will be involved and what the expectations will be.
How do I find house sitting opportunities in Europe?
To find house sitting opportunities in Europe, check out online platforms like TrustedHousesitters and MindMyHouse that link you with homeowners looking for sitters. It’s a great way to explore new places while saving on accommodation!
What should I include in my application?
To make your house sitting application stand out, emphasize your experience and include references or testimonials that showcase your reliability. Also, be sure to address any specific needs the homeowner may have. Be sure your profile is complete with all of the family members who will be traveling with you, and pets you’ve cared for in the past.
Have a complete profile on Trusted Housesitters to secure a successful house sit
What are the visa requirements for house sitting in Europe?
To house sit in Europe, you’ll need to be aware that most Schengen countries allow stays of up to 90 days within 180 days without a visa. Make sure to check the specific requirements for the country you’re interested in!
How can I balance duties with leisure activities?
To balance house sitting duties with leisure activities, carve out specific times for your responsibilities and slot in short excursions or local sightseeing. This way, you can enjoy your time while still taking care of your house sitting tasks. You’ll also want to be specific about finding the perfect house sit and not over-extending your commitment compared to how you’d like to spend your time visiting an area.
