European Working Holiday Visas for Australians: How to Move Overseas 2026

Why a Working Holiday?

A working holiday is – in my opinion – the best way to travel the world. If you’re an Australian looking to move to Europe, a working holiday visa is the cheapest and most accessible way to make it happen.

A working holiday visa allows you to “work to fund your travels”. It’s one of the most rewarding ways to experience life abroad — you get the adventure of travel, real friendships, and the freedom to build a life somewhere completely new.

On a working holiday, you’re not just passing through a country — you’re living in it. You meet locals, integrate into society, explore whole cities (not just the tourist parts), and build relationships that go far beyond the usual travel experience.

Whether you’re chasing personal development, career experience, or just want to experience something new and challenge yourself – like myself – a working holiday gives you the freedom to explore while being able to support yourself along the way.

There are 24 different countries in Europe where you can participate in a working holiday. Most of these European countries have working holiday visas (WHV) that are dirt cheap and accessible for anyone with savings even less than $10,000 AUD.

Breaking Down the WHV in Europe

With 24 European countries offering working holiday visas to Australians in 2026, it can be overwhelming to know where to start.

Below, I’ve split them into two groups – countries with eased requirements (cheaper and simpler) and countries with stricter requirements – so you can quickly find the best fit for your budget and situation.

• Eased Requirements: Lower processing fees, basic documents, lower total savings requirements (less than $10,000 AUD)
• Stricter Requirements: Higher processing fees, complex documents, increased total savings requirements (more than $10,000 AUD)
• ALSO NOTE: The ones with (TER – Tertiary Education Required) mean that having completed two years or more of tertiary education is a mandatory requirement

Click on the countries that interest you the most, and you will be directed straight to the embassy website where you can access all official requirements and documents needed to apply.

You will find the full official list of 46 countries that you can obtain working holiday visas from on the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs website.

The Visa Process

The visa process is broadly the same across all countries.

1. Gather all the required documents from your chosen countries immigration page.
2. Sign all your documents.
   • It is very important that you fill the documents out carefully. A single mistake on your documents could get your entire visa application rejected.
3. Submit your documents to the embassy — some countries now allow online submission, but not many.
4. You normally wait about 3-6 weeks for your visa to arrive back in the mail with your passport.
5. You’re ready to go.

Read carefully to check if there are any processes you need to complete upon arrival — many countries require you to register for a residency card once you land.

Health Insurance

*This section is not sponsored, it is just a personal recommendation

Finding affordable travel insurance for a working holiday in Europe was one of my biggest struggles. There are so many options, it can be overwhelming — and most are expensive, locking you into exact coverage dates with no flexibility.

There is, however, a great travel insurance company – that I now use – that is a monthly subscription that you can cancel anytime.

This health insurance company is called Genki Insurance.

The cheapest coverage you can get costs €52.50 (~$86.50) a month – which is considerably cheaper than most other travel insurance companies. PLUS you get the comfort of being able to cancel anytime after just one month of coverage.

Even better, it also covers the working holiday health insurance requirements, so you will not have any problems.

And it works too. I went to the doctor once in Germany, got my invoice, sent them all the documents I received from the doctor, and got fully reimbursed.

If you’re interested, check out the Genki Traveller Insurance plan I use for all my trips and visa applications. Genki Traveller Insurance.

If you already have health insurance in Australia – then also check with your healthcare provider and see if they have travel insurance, sometimes they offer travel insurance at a discounted price. Either way, I would still use Genki Traveller Insurance.

The Next Step: How to Make that Move Overseas

Have you found a country you’re interested in? The next step? Go for it. The biggest thing holding young Australians back from moving to Europe isn’t practical — it’s all mental.

Our minds race – I have been there – with all sorts of questions.

• Will I find a place to live?
• Will I find a job?
• Will I find friends?

The truth is simple: Yes, yes and yes. If you show up, stay persistent, and give yourself time, you will find a place to live, a job, and build a circle of friends.

You need to get out there, meet people and create connections. Before leaving home, I was a complete introvert, avoiding contact with anyone.

But once landing in Europe, I was forced to come out of my comfort zone and look for people to connect with. And these connections in the end are the reason why so many others and I have made it in Europe.

Almost all major European cities have large English speaking communities. Even if you struggle to interact with the “born-and-raised” locals, you will find plenty of expats to connect with. (Expats are people from other countries that now live there).

You will always find a large English speaking community no matter where you go in any major European city.

Will I Find a Place to Live???

Currently, in a lot of Europe, there is a housing crisis. And it can be hard to find housing depending on which city you want to live in.

Should that stop you from moving? Absolutely not.

The easiest way to find housing, especially right now, is through contacts. Building connections is the single best way to find housing. So get that visa, book that flight, and go!

Still Start Looking ASAP

Although making contacts is the easiest and most effective way to find a place, you should still begin your search before you leave.

There are multiple ways you can start searching for places before you leave.

• Join a Facebook group: There are plenty of very useful Facebook groups that you can join.
  • A lot of these Facebook Groups have very useful tips on moving/finding apartments/visas etc.
  • Simply search “Expats/Foreigners in your chosen country/city” – the best groups are private, and always keep your eye out on scams.
• Market Listings: Every European country has a couple of reliable designated rental listing sites. Many of these have paid versions, but I would not recommend getting the paid version unless you are really struggling to find a place, and definitely not until you’ve arrived at your destination.
• If you find a rental that interests you:
  • When writing messages to landlords, be as detailed as possible.
    • i.e. introduce yourself, explain your situation, mention your job/income/savings, and your intended move-in date
  • In my opinion, it is always best to write in the country’s language — use Deepl to translate – still make sure to tell them where you’re from, and that you cannot speak much of the language.
  • Have certain documents ready to show possible landlords: CV/resume, bank statements, etc.
  • It is also important to state your intentions. Always say that you will be looking for work as soon as you arrive — if you still haven’t arrived at your intended country/city.

Quick Links to Rental Listing Sites:

• 🇦🇹 Austria: Willhaben,  Immobilienscout24, Immowelt
• 🇧🇪 Belgium: Immoweb
• 🇨🇿 Czech Republic: sReality,  realityiDNES,  bezrealitky
• 🇩🇰 Denmark: Boligportal,  Lejebolig, Useful tips
• 🇫🇷 France: SeLoger, Leboncoin, Pap
• 🇩🇪 Germany: ImmoScout24, Immowelt, Wg-Gesucht
• 🇮🇹 Italy: idealista,  casa.it,  immobiliare
• 🇮🇪 Ireland: Daft.ie, MyHome, Useful Tips
• 🇳🇱 Netherlands: RentHunter, Kamernet, Funda, Prarius
• 🇳🇴 Norway: Finn.no, Hybel, Utleiemegleren
• 🇵🇹 Portugal: idealista,  imovirtual
• 🇪🇸 Spain: idealista
• 🇸🇪 Sweden: Samtrygg, Blocket, Bostad Direkt
• 🇬🇧 UK: rightmove, zoopla, spareroom

Will I Find a Job???

Another burning question we have is “How could I possibly find a job without speaking the language?”

The answer: Every major European city needs English-speaking staff. Many sectors – especially gastronomy and hospitality – in most major European cities are always in need of English-speaking staff.

I personally find bar work to be the best with getting away with speaking just English.

Here are a few things to do and look out for:

• Look for Australian/Irish/English bars
• Make a resume/CV
• Look for restaurants serving international cuisine
• Start learning the local language

Yes, if you can speak the local language, it makes things easier — should that stop you? NO.

You can absolutely get away with just speaking English (as I did to begin with) in almost any country in Europe. Nevertheless, you should start learning the language as soon as you can.

Life is definitely easier if you can understand even a little bit of the local language.

TIP: When looking for jobs, make clear your intention to learn the local language.

Will I Find Friends???

OF COURSE. As long as you put yourself out there, you are almost guaranteed to find a friend/friend group.

Go to a bar, join Facebook groups, look for international meetups.

I know that it may sound like a daunting task to go out in a place you don’t yet know, but it is so incredibly rewarding.

There’s nothing quite like making your first real connection with someone from the other side of the world.

You may not make friends instantly, but you will eventually – you just have to be patient.

Feeling vulnerable is a sign you’re growing — and the confidence will follow.

Extra Tips

Moving far from home might feel scary — but once you have that visa, the choice is entirely yours. You can live and work wherever you want in that country.

You have total freedom, you don’t even need to settle anywhere. Get there first, travel the country, see the cities, see what you like. Meet people, ask for jobs and places to live along the way.

Keep yourself open to all options, and you are bound to find something.

Fear will always be there — it’s not going anywhere. So while you’re young, why not go out there? Go live somewhere you never even thought was possible. GO LOOK OUTSIDE.

When you’re ready to start exploring, my guide on How to Travel Europe by Train and Bus will help you get around cheaply.