How big should your emergency fund actually be?
'Three to six months' is the standard advice — and it's uselessly vague. Here's how to find your real number.
By Ada Renner · 2026-06-25
Everyone agrees you need an emergency fund. Nobody agrees on the size, because the honest answer is: it depends on how fragile your income is.
Finding your number
- Stable salary, two incomes — three months of essential expenses is a reasonable floor.
- Freelance or single income — six months, sometimes more.
- Count essentials, not lifestyle — rent, food, insurance, transport. The streaming bundle doesn't make the cut.
Start hereThe first €1,000 matters more than the final target — it converts most emergencies from crises into inconveniences. Automate a transfer and stop thinking about it.