House Sitting Europe: The Complete Guide (2026)

Last Edited: February 13, 2026 Breadcrumbs: Home > House Sitting Europe

📊 QUICK FACTS: House Sitting Europe

Best Platform: Trusted House Sitters (3,669+ European listings as of February 13, 2026)

Runner-Up (France only): Nomador (627 actual French listings — see Reality Check below)

THS Cost: $129/year + $12 booking fee per confirmed sit

Nomador Cost: €34–€189/year

Most Competitive Region: Switzerland

Least Served Region: Eastern Europe (11 total sits across all countries, Turkey to Slovenia)

Savings Potential: We have saved upwards of €34,200 across 369 nights of European sits

Biggest Surprise: Spain has just 17 listings on THS — the same as Portugal, which is a fraction of its size

Last Edited: February 13, 2026. Konrad & Caro are currently on a house sit in Athens, Greece.

Which Platform Should You pick?

 For house sitting in Europe, Trusted House Sitters is the only platform worth paying for. It has 3,669+ European listings versus every other platform combined — and nearly double that figure if you count global availability. The one exception: if you plan to sit exclusively in France, Nomador's 627 French listings make it worth a short-term subscription alongside THS.

I'm writing this from an apartment in Athens, Greece, on February 13, 2026. Caro is on the couch reading. There's a dog at our feet. We pay nothing for this apartment. We arrived after two weeks in Kefalonia, which we also paid nothing for. Before that, a sit in Italy. Before that, Austria. We have driven over 11,000km around Europe in our VW T4 since November 1, 2025, and in that time we have completed four house sits across four different countries.

We are not influencers posting about a "house sitting lifestyle." We are two people who have turned European house sitting into a genuine financial strategy. Since we started in June 2023, Caro and I have completed sits across Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, France, and Australia. We have a six-month sit in Portugal starting in May 2026. When you add up 189 completed nights and 180 upcoming nights — conservatively at €100 per night — we will have saved upwards of €34,200 on accommodation.

This guide covers everything you need to house sit in Europe: which platforms actually have listings, which countries are worth targeting, and the one thing every other "house sitting Europe" article gets completely wrong about Nomador.

This is our main hub for European house sitting. For specific countries, see our dedicated guides on house sitting in France, house sitting in Switzerland, house sitting in the UK, house sitting in London, and house sitting in Portugal. For a global platform comparison, see our international house sitting platforms guide.

The Platform Comparison Table (Europe, February 13, 2026)

*Nomador's website shows 1,900+ sits globally. This inflates due to a "stopover" feature that is separate from actual house sits. When you filter for genuine house sits only, the number drops to approximately 950 worldwide. More on this below.

⚠️ Reality Check #1: The Nomador Stopover Problem

This is the thing that surprised us most when we did a proper audit on February 13, 2026.

Nomador's listings page makes it look like a serious THS competitor. Their listings appear to reach 2300+ globally. We assumed for a long time that Nomador had a large volume of genuine house sits across Europe.

They do not.

When you filter out "stopovers" — a separate category Nomador offers where homeowners host traveling sitters for short overnight stays, which is entirely different from a house sit — the numbers change significantly. Nomador's actual house sits worldwide drop to approximately 950. In Europe, the real number is 807, and of those, 627 are in France alone. That leaves just 180 genuine house sits spread across the rest of the entire continent.

The Reality Check comparison:

THS has more than four times the European listings of Nomador once you remove the stopover inflation. We find this presentation genuinely misleading, and we want to be upfront about it even though Nomador is a platform we plan to use in France ourselves.

The bottom line: Nomador is a good platform for France. It is not a serious competitor to THS anywhere else in Europe.

⚠️ Reality Check #2: The UK Skews Everything

If you look at European house sitting statistics without context, you would think every European country has abundant options. They do not.

The UK — specifically England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland — accounts for more than 3,400 of THS's 3,669+ European listings. As of February 13, 2026, the rest of continental Europe shares just a few hundred listings between them.

The Sitter-to-Listing Ratio for key European countries (THS, February 13, 2026):

Spain's number genuinely surprised us. There are so many expats living in Spain that we expected the listings to be far higher. Portugal has the exact same number as Spain — 17 — which tells you something about where European house sitting culture is concentrated right now.

⚠️ Reality Check #3: The THS Booking Fee Change

THS recently introduced a booking fee on top of their annual membership. This changes the cost calculation, especially for sitters who complete many sits per year.

We have written a full breakdown in our Trusted House Sitters booking fee article. For Europe specifically: given that THS still has 3,669+ European listings against every other platform combined, it remains the recommended primary platform. The booking fee changes the economics at volume, but for most sitters doing one to four European sits per year, THS is still strong value — especially with a 25% discount.

Our European House Sitting Experience

Between June 2023 and February 13, 2026, Caro and I have completed house sits across nine European countries. Here is what we have actually done, with real numbers:

That is 189 nights completed. Add our upcoming six-month Portugal sit (May to November 2026) — 180 nights — and we will have saved upwards of €34,200 on accommodation through European house sitting.

Our most expensive single cost across all European sits was the €160 round-trip ferry to Kefalonia. That is the financial reality of European house sitting when you travel by van — you pick up sits along your route, so most travel costs are ones you would have paid regardless.

The Switzerland Factor

Two of our most valuable sits were in Switzerland, and Switzerland is also the most competitive region we have encountered. The homes are genuinely exceptional — we stayed in a 3-story chalet and a property where nearby rentals were €650 per night. The quality of life in Switzerland is visibly higher than surrounding countries, the country is central and easy to reach, and homeowners speak German, French, or English.

Because of this, we would expect strong competition on any Swiss application. Our dedicated house sitting Switzerland guide covers this in detail.

The France Opportunity

Our one-month sit in Lullin in the French Alps (July to early August 2025) is one of the sits we talk about most. Two outdoor cats, a traditional mountain house, views over the Alps, 20 minutes from Lake Geneva. We swam in the lakes, hiked, and found a patisserie in the village that we visited every single day. The mille-feuille was exceptional. We have a six-month sit lined up in Portugal starting in May, but we are also planning more time in France — it is a country that is quickly capturing our hearts.

For France specifically, read our dedicated house sitting France guide. The platform recommendation there is Nomador first, THS second — one of the few places in Europe where that is true.

Which Platform Should You Use for Europe?

If You Are Sitting Across Multiple European Countries

Use Trusted House Sitters. Full stop.

THS has 3,669+ European sits and 9,600+ globally. No other platform comes close for multi-country coverage. The UK alone gives you 3,400+ listings, and THS covers France, Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, and beyond. Use our THS discount code to get 25% off — the standard membership at $129/year is already good value, but there is no reason to pay full price.

For help building a profile that gets accepted, use our AI profile creation guide — this is the exact method we use.

If You Are Sitting Exclusively in France

Use Nomador as your primary platform. Its 627 French listings give you more than ten times THS's French coverage. A 3-month Nomador plan at €34 is excellent value for a France-focused trip. We have no affiliate arrangement with Nomador, so this recommendation costs us a commission. The numbers still support it.

You will still want THS for any sits outside France. Our strategy is to keep Nomador on a free browsing account and only activate a paid plan when we find a specific French sit we want to apply for.

If You Are on a Very Tight Budget

Browse MindMyHouse for free before committing to a paid membership. It  allows free browsing, which lets you check whether enough sits exist in your target region before spending money. The honest reality is that it's European inventory is considerably thinner than THS. But if you find a sit you want, a short-term membership on a cheaper platform is a legitimate way to keep costs down.

Which housesitting Platform should you use?

If you want to sit all over Europe: Choose THS. The 3,669+ European listings make it the only platform that can realistically cover your travel.

If you want to sit specifically in France: Choose Nomador (627 French sits) and consider THS as a secondary option for other countries.

If you are targeting the UK: THS dominates with 3,400+ UK, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales listings. No other platform is relevant for UK sits.

If you are a luxury sitter or want Swiss-standard homes: THS is still the right platform. Our two Swiss chalets both came through THS. The quality of THS listings in Switzerland and Western Europe generally is very high.

If you are targeting Eastern Europe: Adjust your expectations. As of February 13, 2026, all of Eastern Europe from Turkey to Slovenia has approximately 11 sits on THS. This is not a house sitting market yet. Accommodation in places like Albania can be $20 per day — often less than what the sit is worth in saved costs. In Eastern Europe, a budget hotel may genuinely be better value than searching for a house sit.

If you are a van lifer combining driving with sitting: This is our exact situation. We do not calculate travel costs against sits because we are driving those routes regardless. The only exception was Kefalonia, where we bought ferry tickets specifically for the sit — €160 round trip, which was our single most expensive house sitting travel cost ever.

If you are completely new to house sitting: The UK is the easiest entry point. Over 3,400 listings, virtually all in English, and homeowners are familiar and comfortable with the house sitting model. Start there, build your reviews, and expand into Europe.

Regional Breakdown: Where to House Sit in Europe

United Kingdom (3,400+ THS listings)

The UK is European house sitting. More than 90% of THS's European listings are in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. This concentration means strong competition, but also the largest selection. If you want variety — urban, rural, coastal, countryside — the UK has it.

Our house sitting UK guide and dedicated house sitting London guide cover both options in detail.

Konrad's mum has completed multiple UK sits through Trusted House Sitters — including a three-month sit outside London and several shorter ones. Her verdict: she loved the local pubs and found the homeowners warm and easy to work with.

France (627 Nomador listings, ~40–60 THS listings)

France is the one exception to "THS for Europe." Nomador's French network is genuinely strong, with 627 actual sits across the country. THS struggles here — the numbers are thin outside Paris.

We have done one joint France sit (Lullin, French Alps, July–August 2025) and I spent five months in Brittany before meeting Caro. France is a country we are returning to for a longer stint — our France strategy uses Nomador as the primary tool.

See our full house sitting France guide.

Switzerland

Switzerland has limited listings but very high quality. The homes we stayed in — a 3-story chalet in Cries, a 14-night property with three cats — were properties that would have cost €650+ per night to rent. It is the most competitive region we have encountered. Apply early, make your application owner-focused, and be ready for strong competition.

See our house sitting Switzerland guide.

Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria

These countries have sits available through THS but the volume is limited — roughly 160 listings across all of them combined as of February 13, 2026. We have done sits in Germany (Bochum and Berlin), Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Austria. In our experience, these sits are available but you need to plan ahead. We watch the THS app daily and apply quickly when something appears.

Language: Most homeowners in Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands speak English. Our Bochum homeowner preferred German, and our upcoming Portugal sit is all in German (Caro handles that). In practice, you will rarely need a language other than English to apply or communicate during a sit.

Greece and Italy

Greece and Italy have sits available through THS — we have done Kefalonia, Athens, and multiple Italian sits — but the listing volume is modest. Both countries attract sitters, so competition exists for good properties. The accommodation value is high: Kefalonia was 14 nights for only the cost of a €160 ferry. We are currently in Athens for 8 days and it has been one of the smoothest sits we have done.

Spain and Portugal

Spain has 17 THS listings as of February 13, 2026. For a country with one of the largest expat populations in Europe, this is a surprisingly low number. Portugal also has 17. We think the expat culture in Spain has not yet fully adopted the house sitting model in the way the UK has.

We have a six-month house sit in Portugal starting in May 2026 — our longest European sit to date. The homeowners speak German, which means it will be Caro doing most of the communicating this time.

See our house sitting Portugal guide.

Eastern Europe

Eastern Europe is not a functioning house sitting market yet. Turkey, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Slovenia, and all countries between them have approximately 11 total THS listings as of February 13, 2026. Konrad has Polish heritage and we have looked specifically at Polish listings — the numbers are not there.

This will change over the next few years as the house sitting model grows. Right now, if Eastern Europe is your target, budget accommodation is genuinely competitive with what house sitting can offer, and it is not worth paying a THS membership specifically for Eastern European sits.

Seasonality: When to Find the Most European Sits

THS European listings fluctuate through the year. At peak periods, the global THS count can hit 10,000. In winter, particularly in Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean, numbers drop noticeably.

The pattern we have found: target school holiday periods. When European schools break — Easter, summer, October half-term, Christmas — homeowners travel and sits become available. This is especially true in the UK, France, Germany, and the Netherlands, where school holiday calendars drive the largest listing spikes.

We check the THS app daily. When a sit appears in a region we want to visit, we apply immediately. Kefalonia came to us three days before the sit started — a last-minute listing that we jumped on. That mindset — scan daily, apply fast — is what separates sitters who fill their calendars from those who don't.

💡 Pro tip: Filter THS by your travel dates first, then narrow by region. Trying to find sits in a specific city on a specific week is harder than finding a sit in a general region during a flexible two-week window. The more flexibility you give yourself, the more sits you will find.

The Van Life + House Sitting Combination

Since November 1, 2025, Caro and I have driven 11,000km around Europe in our VW T4. We have completed four house sits in that time. That is roughly one sit every 2,750km driven — though it does not work like that in practice. We are not doing sits on a schedule. We drive toward places we want to visit and look for sits in that area. Sometimes we find one, sometimes we do not.

The van gives us a freedom that pure house sitting does not have. Between sits, we park up in places we choose, cook in the van, and live cheaply. Our monthly costs during van periods run €1,000–1,200. During a house sit, that drops to roughly €250 for the full two-week period (fuel and food only). The combination means we are essentially living across Europe at a very low cost.

For a full explanation of how we combine van life and house sitting, see The Van Life Upgrade: Start House Sitting.

Practical Tips for European House Sitting

Language: In practice, almost all of our European sits have been with English-speaking homeowners. Germany and Austria are no barrier. Switzerland has three official languages but most THS profiles are in English. The exception is France, where Nomador listings are sometimes in French. Caro handles German sits for us — our upcoming Portugal sit is with German-speaking homeowners. Being multilingual helps in Europe, but it is not a requirement.

Travel within Europe: We factor travel costs into our sit decisions, but because we are already driving across Europe, most travel to sits costs us nothing extra. When a sit requires specific travel — like the Kefalonia ferry — we weigh it against the accommodation value. €160 for 14 nights of accommodation in Kefalonia is obvious value.

Banking: We use N26 as our primary travel bank. No foreign transaction fees, real exchange rates, and travel insurance built in. Revolut as a backup. When you are crossing multiple European countries with different costs, eliminating bank fees matters.

Managing incidents: Across our European sits, we have broken a glass in Bochum, another glass in Switzerland, an Ikea knife handle in Italy, blocked a €1,500 coffee machine in Switzerland on day two, and melted fuses in Kefalonia. Not one homeowner charged us anything. The rule that has served us every time: message the homeowner within 30 minutes of any incident, be transparent, offer to replace or reimburse. Every single response has been "don't worry about it." For more on this, see our guide to damaging property during a house sit.

Always carry your own supplies: Right now in Athens, the homeowner did not have any dog waste bags. We had some in the car. The dog used the middle of the street on the first walk. Our knowledge from previous sits meant we were prepared. Each sit adds to your knowledge bank.

Bottom Line: The Konrad & Caro Verdict for Europe

The numbers do not require interpretation. THS has 3,669+ European listings. Nomador has 807 actual European sits, 627 of which are in France. Every other platform we have reviewed has significantly lower European coverage than either.

For most sitters: Trusted House Sitters is the answer. It has almost double the European listings of every other platform combined. Use our discount code for 25% off.

For France-focused sitters: Nomador is essential (627 French listings). Add THS for anywhere else. We have no commission arrangement with Nomador — that recommendation stands because the data supports it, not because it pays us.

For Eastern Europe: Neither platform has enough listings to justify paying a membership fee specifically for that region. Budget accommodation costs are low enough that house sitting does not offer the same financial advantage here as it does in Western Europe.

If you are just starting out, build your profile before you apply. The two tools we rely on are our AI profile creation guide and our AI application message guide. A strong profile is what turned us from occasional applicants into a couple with a near-perfect acceptance rate.

Konrad & Caro 🐾🚐

DM us @housesittersguide — we answer everyone!

Writing this from our house sit in Athens, Greece. February 13, 2026.

FAQ: House Sitting Europe

• What is the best platform for house sitting in Europe?

  Trusted House Sitters, with 3,669+ European listings as of February 13, 2026. For France specifically, Nomador has 627 French listings compared to THS's much smaller French inventory — use both if France is a priority.

• How many house sitting opportunities are there in Europe?

  THS has 3,669+ European listings. Nomador has 807 actual European sits once you remove "stopovers" from their count. The majority of THS listings are in the UK (3,400+), with the rest of Europe sharing approximately 260 listings across France, Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Greece, and elsewhere.

• Is Nomador better than Trusted House Sitters in Europe? 

  Only for France. THS has over four times the European listings of Nomador once Nomador's stopover feature is removed from the count. Outside France, THS dominates clearly.

• Which European country has the most house sitting opportunities? 

  The UK by a significant margin — over 3,400 listings on THS for England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. This represents more than 90% of all European THS listings.

• Is house sitting in Switzerland competitive? 

  Very. Switzerland has limited listings but high demand. The properties are exceptional — we stayed in chalets worth €650+ per night — and the country is easy to reach from anywhere in Europe. Expect strong competition and apply with a tailored, owner-first application.

• What is the cheapest European country for house sitting? 

  The cheapest in terms of platform fees is the same everywhere — a single THS membership covers all of Europe. In terms of where your saved accommodation costs are highest: Switzerland and the UK offer the greatest gap between what sits would cost and what you actually pay. See our full how much does house sitting cost guide.

• Do I need to speak another language to house sit in Europe? 

  In practice, no. Almost all THS listings and homeowner communication happen in English, even in Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, and Austria. France is the exception — some Nomador listings are in French. Caro and I speak English, German, and Polish between us, which gives us flexibility, but the majority of our sits have been with English-speaking homeowners regardless of country.

• When are there the most house sitting opportunities in Europe? 

  Around school holiday periods — Easter, summer (June to August), October half-term, and Christmas. THS's European listing count can hit 10,000 globally at peak times. We check the app daily and apply fast when something appears in a region we want to visit.

• Is Eastern Europe worth targeting for house sits?

  Not yet. As of February 13, 2026, the entire region from Turkey to Slovenia has approximately 11 THS listings. Budget accommodation in Eastern Europe is affordable enough that house sitting does not offer the same advantage as in Western Europe. This will likely change as house sitting culture grows.

• What does house sitting in Europe actually cost?