Repaying from the EU
Moving to Europe? The rules for repaying your student loan vary significantly depending on which country you choose. "The EU" is not treated as a single block by the Student Loans Company.
Huge Variance in Thresholds
It is a common mistake to assume that moving to Europe means the repayment rules are the same everywhere. SLC groups countries into bands based on cost of living.
High Cost (Band F/G)
Countries like France, Germany, Netherlands, Ireland.
Thresholds are similar to the UK. You likely won't repay unless you earn a decent salary.
Lower Cost (Band A-C)
Countries like Bulgaria, Romania, Poland, Hungary.
Thresholds are much lower. You might start repaying on a salary of just £10k-£15k equivalent.
ℹ️Brexit Impact
- Repayment Rules: Unchanged. Your loan is a contract under UK law, and moving to the EU does not cancel it.
- Banking: SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area) transfers usually still work for sending money to the UK, but fees might have increased depending on your bank.
- Data Sharing: There is less automatic data sharing between EU tax authorities and SLC post-Brexit, making it harder for them to "find" you automatically. However, the legal obligation to pay remains, and penalties for evasion are steep.
Exchange Rates
If you are paid in Euros, the exchange rate used by SLC is usually set once a year (often in April).
A strong Euro means your salary is worth more in Pounds, which could increase your monthly repayment amount. Conversely, a weak Euro might lower your repayment or drop you below the threshold entirely.