How big should an emergency fund be?

Usually 3–6 months of expenses; more if your income is unstable.

In an easily accessible savings or current account, not in risky investments.

Emergency Fund Calculator

Calculate how large an emergency fund you should save and how long it takes to reach the goal.

Monthly expenses: 2,000 €

Target (months): 6 months

Current savings: 2,000 €

Monthly saving: 300 €

12,000 €

Emergency fund goal

Target amount	12,000 €
Still needed	10,000 €
Time to goal	34 months

ℹ️ The common recommendation is 3–6 months of expenses in an easily accessible account.

This emergency fund calculator helps you work out how large a financial buffer you should build and how long it will take to reach the goal at your current saving pace. It turns an abstract safety net into a concrete euro target.

How the calculator works and what it’s for▾

How the goal and time are calculated

The target amount is your monthly expenses multiplied by the number of months you are aiming for. This is the sum that would cover living costs during an unexpected loss of income.

The shortfall is the target minus your current savings. Dividing the shortfall by your monthly saving shows how many months it takes to reach the goal.

What you enter and what you get

Enter your monthly expenses, the target number of months, your current savings and the amount you save each month. The result shows the target amount, the remaining shortfall and the estimated time to the goal.

You can try different monthly savings and see how much faster the buffer grows when you add a little more each month.

Who it is for

The emergency fund calculator suits anyone who wants to build financial security against unexpected costs, unemployment or illness and needs a clear saving plan.

Good to know

A common recommendation is to keep around 3–6 months of expenses in an easily accessible account. The right size depends on how stable your income is and on your life situation.

🔄 Reviewed June 2026