Three type ratings dominate European pilot demand in 2026: the A320 family, the B737NG/MAX and the Embraer 170/175/190/195. If you are self-funding, the choice between them moves your bank balance by €5,000-€15,000. If an airline sponsors you, it changes the length of your bond and the cost of breaking it.
What the price includes
A type-rating quote usually bundles ground school (CBT and classroom), fixed-base trainer (FBT) hours, full-flight simulator (FFS) hours, the examiner fee for the LST, base training when it is required, and the documentation and licence endorsement fees.
Quotes often leave out a Class 1 medical renewal, an ICAO English re-test if yours is expiring, travel and accommodation near the training centre, per diem during the residential block, and your uniform, flight bag and EFB licences. Add €2,500-€6,500 to any quote to cover them.
A320 family
The Airbus narrowbody rating is still the most expensive of the three, mainly because Airbus-specific training centres charge more for simulator time.
| Component | Cost (EUR, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Ground school + CBT | 4,000-6,500 |
| FBT (8-12 hours) | 2,500-4,000 |
| FFS (32-40 hours) | 15,000-22,000 |
| Examiner / LST | 1,500-2,500 |
| Documentation | 250-500 |
| Total before extras | 23,250-35,500 |
Training centres in Spain, Portugal and Eastern Europe sit at the cheaper end; Toulouse, Hamburg and the UK at the premium end.
B737NG / MAX
The Boeing narrowbody is the cheapest of the three in 2026, helped by plenty of simulator capacity across Europe.
| Component | Cost (EUR, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Ground school + CBT | 3,500-5,500 |
| FBT (6-10 hours) | 1,800-3,000 |
| FFS (32-40 hours) | 13,500-19,500 |
| Examiner / LST | 1,500-2,500 |
| Documentation | 250-500 |
| Total before extras | 20,550-31,000 |
The 737 MAX rating adds a MAX differences module. Most schools bundle it and some charge €800-€1,200 extra, so check before you book.
Embraer E‑Jets (170/175/190/195)
The E-Jet rating is the most accessible: less simulator time, a lighter ground school, and fewer training centres that still have enough capacity.
| Component | Cost (EUR, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Ground school + CBT | 3,000-4,500 |
| FBT (6-8 hours) | 1,500-2,500 |
| FFS (24-32 hours) | 11,000-16,500 |
| Examiner / LST | 1,500-2,500 |
| Documentation | 250-500 |
| Total before extras | 17,250-26,500 |
One rating covers either the 170/175 or the 190/195. Some operators want you qualified on both, which adds a differences course of about €2,500-4,500.
Base training: included or extra?
Base training, the touch-and-go circuits flown in a real aircraft, is required by some national CAAs and operators and optional for others. In 2026, France (DGAC), Italy (ENAC) for some operations and several Middle East CAAs require it regardless. The UK CAA, Ireland (IAA) and Germany (LBA) leave it to the airline's operations specifications. When it is billed separately, expect €3,500-€7,500 depending on aircraft availability.
Self-funded or airline-sponsored
| Self-funded | Airline-sponsored | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Full price | €0 |
| Hidden cost | None | Bond + break-clause |
| Typical bond duration | n/a | 3-5 years |
| Typical break-clause | n/a | €15,000-€45,000 |
| Risk | Money lost if not hired | Locked in if the airline struggles |
Bond terms are tighter in 2026 than they were in 2019. With pilot demand still high, several European low-cost carriers cut bond duration from 5 years to 3, and some Middle East carriers still offer bond-free type ratings to qualified candidates.
Staying current
A type rating is only useful if you keep it current. That means 3 take-offs and landings every 90 days for line operations, an operator proficiency check (OPC) every 6 months and a licence proficiency check (LPC) every 12, usually combined in the simulator, plus annual recurrent ground school.
Self-funded pilots who pass the rating but are not hired within 6-12 months may need a refresher course before they can pass the LPC, at €3,000-€6,000.
Which one to take
If you are choosing between the three without an airline commitment:
- The 737NG/MAX gives you the best odds of being hired in Europe and the Middle East, since it has the most operators and the most open positions.
- The A320 suits you if you are aiming at premium European carriers (AF, LH, BA legacy and the Air France-KLM cadet pipeline). It costs more, and opens more of the top-tier market.
- The E-Jet is the cheapest way in, if you are willing to focus on regional carriers such as KLM Cityhopper, BA CityFlyer, ITA's regional operation and several SkyTeam and Star Alliance regionals.
How Veejo helps
Pilot tutors include type-rated line pilots on all three families who can prepare you for the LST. Veejo, a network of 2,000+ verified pilots, matches your type rating against open operator briefs. The Career Log, coming soon to the Veejo app, will track your recency and your LPC and OPC dates.