Delivery apps for extra cash in Europe: 4 that are hiring couriers

How pay works on each app, what you need to apply, and the official download links. No easy-money hype.

How delivery couriers really get paid

On delivery apps you are usually paid for each order you complete, not for every hour you spend online. Your final number depends on the length of each trip, the time of day, how busy your zone is and, on some apps, tips from customers.

That is why two couriers in the same city can end the week with very different totals. Rules and rates also change a lot from one country to another, so treat any figure you read online, including ours, as a starting point and check the app itself.

Orders are not only restaurant meals either. Depending on the city, the same apps also carry supermarket, convenience store and pharmacy orders, which helps fill the quiet hours.

Uber Eats: a global app with many order types

Uber Eats runs in hundreds of cities worldwide. You can deliver by bike, scooter, motorbike or car, depending on what your city allows. The courier side runs inside the Uber Driver app.

The app shows the estimated earnings for a trip before you accept it, and earnings are paid out weekly. In some countries you can cash out sooner for a small fee. Requirements vary by city, but you will generally need to be at least 18, have the right to work in that country, hold valid ID and use an eligible vehicle.

Deliveroo: ride with a kit and in-app support

Deliveroo works with riders on bicycles, scooters and cars in several European countries. Riders can get a safety and delivery kit, support inside the app, and a map that highlights busy zones.

You apply on Deliveroo’s rider website first, then use the app to book sessions, go online and track earnings. You need the right to work in your chosen country, plus a valid licence and insurance if you are not cycling. In some countries riders work as self-employed, so you may need extra paperwork.

Wolt: more distance, more pay

Wolt started in Finland and now delivers in many European cities. Couriers can choose a bike, e-bike, scooter or car, and decide their own hours.

Wolt says the more you deliver the more you can earn, that longer deliveries pay more, and that all tips are yours. To apply you need to be 18 or older, live in an active Wolt city, have a bank account and a bike, e-bike, scooter or car. Depending on the city, you may sign an agreement with Wolt directly or through a fleet partner.

Glovo: deliveries beyond restaurants

Glovo covers restaurants, groceries, pharmacy items and small parcels in the cities where it operates, so there is more variety in the orders you receive.

You register through the courier app, follow the steps to get set up and pick your own schedule. Glovo pay is built from the orders you complete, the distance you cover and time-based bonuses. No previous delivery experience is needed, but you must be an adult with a vehicle and a smartphone.

What to have ready before you apply

From sign-up to your first delivery

Habits that make the work worth it

• Decide a maximum distance before you go online and stick to it.
• Work the busy windows, usually lunchtime, evenings and weekends.
• Compare pay against distance and waiting time before accepting.
• Keep a simple log of hours, kilometres and net pay so you know what really pays.
• Look after your bag, phone battery and bike or vehicle, since they are your tools.
• Check the rules on working with more than one app before you run two at once.

No single app wins everywhere. The right one is the one with steady orders in your city and terms you are comfortable with. Try one or two, keep notes for a couple of weeks, and let your own numbers decide.