Emergency Fund Calculator

What an emergency fund actually is

Three to six months of expenses, sitting in a high-interest savings account you can access immediately. Not a fixed-term deposit, not an ETF, not crypto. Just liquid cash that absorbs an unexpected job loss, illness, or car breakdown without forcing you to take on debt.

How big should yours be?

The 3–6 month rule is a starting point. The right multiplier depends on how stable your income is:

• Salaried, dual-income household: 3 months. Your partner is a partial backup if you lose work.
• Salaried, single-income family: 6 months. No backup if income stops.
• Freelancer / self-employed: 6+ months. Income is lumpy by definition; a longer runway smooths quiet quarters.
• Dual-earner without dependants: 3 months is usually enough.

Why inflation matters

A target set in 2020 euros is worth less in 2026 euros. Our calculator inflation-adjusts the goal so the real purchasing power of your fund stays constant — even if interest on your savings account is lower than inflation, you see how much you actually need to save to maintain the same months-of-coverage.

Where to keep it

Use a separate, instant-access savings account that pays interest. Keeping it visible alongside your current account makes it easy to dip into for non-emergencies — a separate account is the simplest self-control mechanism.

Plain-language notes

Use this section if the finance words on the page are new to you. The calculator is meant to support a decision, not to reward perfect terminology.

• Emergency fund: money kept aside for a job loss, repair, medical bill, or other surprise so you do not need new debt immediately.

What to compare

Compare at least two scenarios before trusting the first answer. A useful result should tell you what changes if income, costs, rates, or timing move.