Work Abroad as a Teacher: Benefits to Look For

If you want to work abroad as a teacher, it’s not just a job change – it’s a complete lifestyle shift. Whether you’re a seasoned expat educator or preparing for your first international post, the benefits package offered by a school can make or break your experience.

Here’s an overview of some key benefits international teachers should consider when comparing offers.

Not all international schools offer the same perks, and the value of each benefit can vary widely depending on the destination, school, and your personal situation (especially if you’re travelling with your family).

1. Flights: Getting You There (And Back)

At a minimum, most reputable international schools offer round-trip airfare at the start and end of your contract. Some will also provide annual flights home, particularly for teachers in more remote locations or high-demand regions like Asia or the Middle East.

What to look for:

• Economy flights for you (and your dependents)
• Clarity on whether flights are reimbursed or booked by the school – reimbursed flights can give you more flexibility, but may be taxable
• Travel at the start and end of each contract year (not just your first)
• Clarity on whether there’s any flexibility around flights (e.g. do they only include your home country or can you use flight allowance for other destinations)

2. Accommodation or Housing Stipend

Housing is obviously one of the biggest costs when you live abroad, especially if you need extra space for larger families. Some international schools offer either different types of housing benefits:

• Free accommodation (furnished apartments usually on-site or close to the school), or
• A housing allowance that helps to cover rent in the local market

What to look for:

• Safe, convenient location near the school with good amenities
• Fully furnished or assistance with setting up
• Clear rental processes (who pays the landlord, who handles maintenance etc)
• Whether utilities and internet are included (not usually, but some schools do offer this)

Pro Tip: Be mindful that as a family, not all housing stipends will cover your rent. While they may be appropriate for a one or two bedroom apartment, if you need a larger space you’ll likely need to cover this cost yourself.

3. Medical Insurance When You Work Abroad as a Teacher

Quality health insurance should be a non-negotiable for an international teaching family. Good quality medical coverage ensures that unexpected health costs don’t become financial burdens when you work abroad as a teacher.

What to look for:

• International or local medical coverage (international is rarer but lets you receive care worldwide, not just in your teaching location)
• Inclusion of dental and vision, and maternity care (especially important for families but not always offered – double check the fine print)
• Emergency evacuation and repatriation services
• Coverage for dependents/spouse
• Any limitations or co-pays

4. Tuition for Children: A Big Financial Perk

One big incentive to choosing to work abroad as a teacher with your family is the opportunity for your kids to attend prestigious international schools – often at no cost.

What to look for:

• 100% tuition coverage (some schools offer partial discounts)
• Confirmation on children’s tuition – for example how many kids are covered (most offer two, but some schools offer more, and some may cap it at one child)
• Application or registration fee waivers (often application fees can be expensive – for example, some schools may charge the same price as an annual fee for a one-off registration).
• Get an idea of additional costs that you will have to pay for – e.g. school trips, uniforms and any other fees (like exam costs) so you can budget accordingly

5. Relocation Allowance: Getting Set Up Smoothly

Relocating to a new country involves costs that can include visas, luggage/shipping, deposits for housing, etc. A relocation allowance helps to cover some of these expenses.

What to look for:

• Lump-sum payments or reimbursements for moving expenses
• Coverage of excess baggage, temporary accommodation, or initial groceries
• Clear guidance on supported expenses and documentation required – be sure to check if you need to provide quotes/invoices or receipts, and how long it’s likely to take to get reimbursed

6. Professional Development (PD)

Top-tier international schools invest in their teachers. You should receive access to ongoing training and professional learning. A school’s approach to PD is a key indicator of its commitment to staff development.

What to look for:

• In-house training or access to external courses/workshops
• Financial support for conferences, certifications (e.g., IB, AP, EAL)
• Opportunities for leadership training or curriculum development

7. End-of-Contract Bonuses and Gratuities

In some regions (especially the Middle East and parts of Asia), schools offer contract completion bonuses or gratuity pay to reward loyalty.

What to look for:

• Clear contract terms outlining eligibility and amount
• Tax implications in both host and home countries
• Whether it increases with each year of service

8. Visa and Legal Support When You Work Abroad as a Teacher

When you work abroad as a teacher, there are a lot of logistics that need to happen before you can work legally. Most quality international schools will handle (or heavily support) your visa and work permit applications.

What to look for:

• Full visa sponsorship for you (and your dependents)
• Clear processes so you know exactly what you need to provide to the school and what your responsibilities are
• Check if the school pays for visa fees and document authentication (most will cover visa fees, but not all schools will reimburse you for document authentication, which can add up if you need multiple family documents apostilled, like birth certificates)
• Assistance with residency, banking, and local registrations

9. Settling-In Support and Orientation

Moving overseas can be a lot – especially with your family in tow. Schools that go the extra mile often offer:

• Airport pickup on arrival (and drop off at temporary accommodation)
• Local orientation sessions (banks, groceries, phone setup)
• Staff mentors or buddies to help you adjust
• Access to local and trusted real estate agents to help you source accommodation if needed

10. Pension Contributions When You Work Abroad as a Teacher

Some schools, especially well-established and top-tier international schools, contribute to retirement plans. This is usually through a local pension fund.

What to look for:

• Employer contributions to superannuation, retirement savings, or investment plans
• Flexibility to transfer or withdraw contributions if you leave

Pro Tip: Some countries with local pension funds won’t let you transfer your pension back home unless you’ve lived in the country for a set period. Be sure to check this, or you could be missing out on a lot of money when you leave.

For example, UK teachers in South Korea can’t transfer their pension unless they’ve worked in Korea for 10 years. In contrast, Australians can take theirs regardless of the time spent in country. It depends on the arrangements between your host country and your home country.

Work Abroad as a Teacher: Final Thoughts

When comparing job offers from international schools, it can be easy to focus on salary alone. But the full compensation package usually matters far more.

A lower-salaried role that offers housing, kids’ tuition, and health benefits can leave you far better off financially (and emotionally) than a higher-paying job with few benefits.

Before you sign or agree to anything, make sure you ask detailed questions, read your contract carefully, and talk to current teachers at the school if you can. The best benefits don’t just support your work – they’ll support your (and your family’s) life abroad.