Europe · calculator · expat housing

Rent Affordability Calculator for Expats in Europe — 2026

How much rent can you actually afford in Paris, Rome, Berlin or Madrid? Enter your income and rent — get your affordable rent and rent burden instantly.

By ExpatMoneyEU Research Team · Reviewed October 2026 · Published 25 October 2026 · Updated 25 October 2026

European city apartments — rent affordability calculator for expats

Researched by ExpatMoneyEU Research Team · Last updated 25 October 2026 · Data: the 30% rent-to-income guideline used by landlords and advisers across Europe (2026)

Rent Affordability Calculator

Maximum affordable rent (30% rule)
€1,050
Your rent is 34.3% of gross income — slightly above the 30% guideline. Money left after rent: €2,300.

Worked example (the default inputs above): €3,500 gross income and €1,200 rent in Paris → maximum affordable rent €1,050 (30% of gross), rent burden 34.3%, money left after rent €2,300 — slightly above the guideline.

Key fact: Rule of thumb used by landlords and housing advisers across Europe: rent at or below 30% of gross monthly income is considered affordable; above 40% is considered a heavy burden. This calculator applies that guideline — it is not a legal limit.

What this calculator does

This calculator answers one question before you sign a lease: how much rent can you afford on your income? It applies the 30% rule — the guideline landlords, banks and housing advisers use across Europe — to your gross monthly income, then compares your planned rent against it and shows what is left after rent and debts.

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How to use it (4 steps)

  1. Enter your monthly gross income in euros (before tax — the figure landlords usually ask for).
  2. Enter the monthly rent you are considering, including any fixed building charges if you know them.
  3. Add other monthly debt payments (loans, credit cards) if you have them — they reduce what is left after rent.
  4. Read the result instantly: your maximum affordable rent, your rent burden as a percentage, and the money left each month.

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The formula

Maximum affordable rent = monthly gross income × 0.30. Rent burden = monthly rent ÷ monthly gross income × 100. Money left = gross income − rent − other monthly debts. Example: €3,500 × 0.30 = €1,050 affordable rent; €1,200 ÷ €3,500 = 34.3% burden.

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Worked example with real numbers

Take an expat in Paris earning €3,500 gross a month and looking at a €1,200 flat. Affordable rent = €3,500 × 30% = €1,050. The flat costs €150 a month more than the guideline — a 34.3% burden. Money left after rent = €2,300 before utilities, food and transport. The verdict: affordable with care, but a €1,050 flat would leave €150 more breathing room each month. In Rome, the same maths applies: a €2,800 income gives €840 affordable rent, so a €900 flat is a 32.1% burden — again slightly above the guideline. The rule is the same everywhere in Europe; only your income and the rent change.

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Reference table

How the 30% guideline plays out at different incomes (illustrative figures — your own numbers come from the calculator above):

Monthly gross incomeAffordable rent (30%)Rent at 40% (heavy burden)
€2,000€600€800
€2,800€840€1,120
€3,500€1,050€1,400
€4,500€1,350€1,800
€6,000€1,800€2,400

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Sources and disclaimer

Method: the 30% rent-to-income guideline used by landlords, banks and housing advisers across Europe. Figures on this page are illustrative worked examples — your lease, local charges and tax situation decide your real budget. Data year: 2026.

Estimate only — not tax or financial advice. This tool estimates affordability only. It is not a rental approval, a credit decision, or financial advice. Always verify current figures with the official source or a qualified adviser before making decisions.

Affiliate disclosure: Some links below may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you — see our affiliate disclosure.

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Frequently asked questions

On €3,500 gross a month, the 30% guideline gives a maximum affordable rent of €1,050. A €1,200 flat is a 34.3% burden — affordable with care, but above the guideline. Enter your own numbers in the calculator above for your exact figure.

The 30% rule says rent should not exceed 30% of your gross monthly income. It is a guideline used by landlords, banks and advisers across Europe — not a law. Above 40% is generally considered a heavy housing burden.

Landlords usually ask for gross income, and the 30% rule is traditionally applied to gross pay. If you want a stricter test, run the calculator on your net income too — the affordable rent will be lower, which is the safer budget.

No — the maths is the same everywhere: 30% of your income. What changes is the rent itself: Paris and Amsterdam rents are higher than Rome or Madrid rents at the same income, so the same salary buys less room in the expensive city.

The monthly rent you pay the landlord, ideally including fixed building charges (charges de copropriété in France, spese condominiali in Italy) if you know them. Utilities, internet and insurance are separate — budget for them from the money left after rent.

It is a heavy burden by the guideline, but not impossible: it leaves less room for savings and surprises. Options include a cheaper area, a flatshare, or negotiating — and checking whether your employer offers housing support.

Many do, informally: French landlords commonly ask for income around three times the rent, which is the same idea (rent ≤ 33% of income). Italian landlords vary more, but proof of income is standard everywhere — keep payslips and your employment contract ready.

The 30% guideline itself does not change year to year. What changes is your income and the rent — re-run the calculator whenever either changes, and check local rent rules before signing a new lease.

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