Why a Working Holiday?
A working holiday is the cheapest way to actually live in Europe, not just pass through it. You get up to a year in one country, with the right to work to fund it.
Most young Aussies only know about going to the UK, in particular London. And in all honesty, London is almost unaffordable. There are 24 other options to choose from. Tap a pin or a country to see if you qualify and what it takes.
Before you apply: visa rules change often, so always check each country's official embassy or immigration website for the most up-to-date information. Every country below links to it.
25 Countries to Choose From
Check what you qualify for
Easy: no uni, standard paperwork (15)
Needs uni (5)
Harder to get: more money, language or paperwork (5)
These are Australia's working holiday deals, so they're for Australian passport holders. Most last up to 12 months and you only get each one once. Rules change, so check the official link in each country before you apply. A dashed box with a * means I couldn't confirm that figure on the official page, and "est." marks my estimate where there's no official figure at all. Last checked October 2026.
Germany
Where I did my first working holiday. Strong job market, and the Deutschlandticket, a subscription that costs €63 a month, covers every local bus, tram and regional train in the country.
- Apply in person at the German Consulate in Sydney, up to 3 months before you go. It takes about 2 weeks to approve.
- Bring insurance covering at least €30,000.
- The age limit went up from 30 to 35 on 1 October 2026.
Ireland
The easy first step if a language barrier feels like too much. Just don't live in Dublin. Rent there is unaffordable.
- It's a Working Holiday Authorisation, not a visa. Post it to the Irish Embassy in Canberra. It takes about 15 working days.
- Show AU$5,000, or AU$2,500 plus a return ticket.
- Max 6 months with one employer, so plan on two jobs.
Denmark
You apply online, with one quick visit for your fingerprints, and it's open until you turn 36.
- Show DKK 18,000 plus a return ticket, or DKK 23,000 without one.
- Processing normally takes about 3 months, so apply early.
- Health insurance isn't required for Australians.
France
One of the few that stays open until you turn 36, and there's no uni requirement. That's a full year to live anywhere in France, from Paris to the Alps.
- Book an appointment with VFS Global to lodge it.
- Bring a return ticket (or proof you can buy one) and insurance for the whole stay.
France doesn't publish a savings figure for Australians. AU$5,000 is what applicants are usually told to show. The €99 fee is France's standard long-stay visa fee, and VFS adds a service fee of €40 in Sydney or €70 in other cities. Confirm both when you book.
Official visa info →
Belgium
The one nobody thinks of, and that's their mistake. Cheap rent, English everywhere, and France, the Netherlands and Germany are a short train ride away.
- You need a medical certificate from an embassy-approved doctor and a police check.
- Lodge it through VFS Global. It takes about 1 month to process the application.
- Plus a return ticket, or the money for one.
- On top of the €250 visa fee, there's a €40 VFS Global service fee and a €242 admin fee to the Belgian Embassy, so about €532 all up.
Netherlands
The visa is the easy part: online and €85. Finding a room is the hard part, so start looking early.
- Apply online, no earlier than 90 days before you go.
- There's no official savings figure, so plan on about ~€5,000, plus a return ticket (or the money for one). Double-check the exact amount with the IND before you apply.
Sweden
Simple paperwork and one of the lowest savings bars here.
- Apply online, then visit a Swedish embassy for fingerprints.
- Bank statement no older than 6 months, plus a return ticket or the money for one.
- Health insurance isn't required for Australians.
Norway
Wages are high, and so is everything else. You need the biggest savings of the easy group.
- Show enough to live on for your first 3 months (NOK 15,488 a month), or a job offer.
- Max 6 months with one employer.
Finland
No uni needed and a low savings bar. Expect to switch jobs, since one employer can only keep you for 3 months.
- Show about €2,450 for your first 3 months, plus a return ticket or the money for one.
- Insurance must cover hospital care and getting home, for your whole stay.
- Apply from outside Finland.
Malta
English is an official language, the visa itself is free, and almost nobody knows this one exists.
- Lodge it through VFS Global. The visa is free; you only pay VFS's service fee.
- Insurance covering hospital, liability and getting home, for the whole stay.
- You must have a clean criminal record, meaning no past criminal convictions.
- Bring a return ticket, or show you have the money for one.
Poland
No uni needed for Australians, but you'll need a police check with an apostille stamp on it.
- Show at least PLN 776 for every month you'll stay. For a full year that's PLN 9,312. On top of that, you need PLN 2,500 for a ticket home and money for accommodation.
- Your police check needs an apostille: an official stamp from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) that proves an Australian document is genuine, so other countries will accept it. Get your AFP police check first, then have DFAT apostille it.
- Apply in person at the Polish Consulate in Sydney. Insurance must cover at least €30,000.
- You can work for up to 6 months of your year. Normally a Polish employer has to get a work permit before hiring someone from overseas, but this visa skips that for those 6 months.
Luxembourg
Tiny country, only 100 places a year, and you need a uni diploma.
- A copy of your uni diploma.
- Apply at the Belgian Embassy in Canberra. It handles Luxembourg's visas.
- Police check less than 3 months old, and insurance covering €30,000.
- Your passport has to be valid for at least 15 months.
Slovenia
Small, and off most people's radar. Lodge your application through VFS Global.
- No uni needed, just finished high school.
- The official page only asks for "sufficient funds", so plan on about ~€3,000, plus a ticket home or the money for one. Double-check the exact amount with VFS or the Slovenian Embassy before you apply.
- You need a Letter of Australian Government Support. VFS also adds a €29 service fee.
Hungary
500 places a year, and you can work up to 6 months for any one employer.
The official Hungarian pages aren't working at the moment, so the ~AU$196 fee is from the last check and ~€2,500 is my estimate. Similar countries ask for between €1,800 and €3,000. Double-check the exact amount you need with the Hungarian Embassy in Canberra before you apply.
The official agreement →
Estonia
A long-stay D visa that lets you work. The holiday has to be the main point of the trip, with work to fund it.
The Foreign Ministry only says you need "sufficient financial means", so ~€2,500 is my estimate. Similar countries ask for between €1,800 and €3,000. Double-check the exact amount you need with the Estonian Embassy before you apply.
Official visa info →
Cyprus
Lots of people speak English here. Applications go through the Cyprus High Commission in Canberra.
I couldn't confirm Cyprus's savings or fee on an official page in October 2026. The ~€90 fee comes from workingholiday.au. There's no official savings figure, so ~€2,500 is my estimate. Similar countries ask for between €1,800 and €3,000. Double-check the exact amount you need with the Cyprus High Commission before you apply.
Official visa info →
Austria
Compared to London, Austria is a lot more peaceful, and in all honesty the quality of life is much higher. The catch: you need some uni behind you.
- A degree or at least 2 years of uni. No uni, no visa.
- Apply in person at the Austrian Embassy in Canberra or VFS Global, no earlier than 3 months before you go.
- Insurance covering at least €30,000.
- There's no official savings figure, just "enough", so plan on about ~€3,000.
The embassy page doesn't state the age limit. 18–30 is the usual figure, so confirm it when you apply.
Official visa info →
Greece
Needs 2 years of uni, and only 500 places a year.
- On top of the €75 visa fee, there's a €150 stamp fee for the residence permit.
- Max 6 months with one employer, and au pair work isn't allowed.
The official Greek page isn't working at the moment, so these figures come from what it published before. Confirm them with the Greek Embassy before you apply.
Official visa info →
Slovakia
Needs 2 years of uni, with only 200 places a year — however that shouldn't be an issue.
- A degree or at least 2 years of uni.
- Apply in person at the Slovak Consulate in Sydney. It takes 15–30 days.
- Insurance covering at least €30,000, and a ticket home or the money for one.
San Marino
The smallest and most complicated on the list. Only worth it if you've got a real reason to be there.
- A degree or at least 2 years of uni.
- San Marino doesn't issue visas itself. You need a Schengen working holiday visa from another country plus a letter from San Marino's Foreign Ministry.
- No savings figure or fee is published. Email the ministry before you plan anything.
Italy
The biggest savings bar on the list and the most paperwork: an in-person appointment, then a residence permit within 8 days of landing. Worth it if a year in Italy is the dream.
- Show €10,000 in an account in your own name (less if you stay under a year).
- Apply in person at your state's Italian consulate, up to 6 months before you fly.
- You can work 6 months in total, max 3 per employer. Apply for your residence permit within 8 days of landing.
Spain
Lots of places (3,400 a year), but you need uni, some Spanish knowledge and extra paperwork.
- Spanish at A1 or higher, for example a DELE A1 certificate.
- A medical certificate and a police check, both less than 3 months old.
- Apply in person by appointment, no earlier than 3 months before you go.
Portugal
Needs uni and working Portuguese, which rules out most people.
- Apply online through Portugal's visa portal. It can be confusing to find, so here's the direct link: apply for a Portuguese visa.
- Portuguese at a functional level.
- There's no official savings figure, so plan on about ~€3,500, plus a ticket home or the money for one.
- No criminal record, travel and health insurance, and a Letter of Australian Government Support.
Portugal doesn't publish a savings figure or a working holiday fee. Double-check both with the Portuguese Embassy in Canberra before you apply.
Official visa info →
Czech Republic
The lowest age cap here (26), and you need somewhere to live locked in before they'll issue your visa.
- Proof of accommodation for your whole stay.
- Apply in person at the Consulate General in Sydney. The fee is paid in AUD.
- The savings figure is for 12 months, from 2022. The consulate says it may change.
United Kingdom
The longest stay and simple paperwork, but the priciest start: a £776-a-year health surcharge on top of the fee. And realistically, London is almost unaffordable for most young Aussies.
- On top of the visa fee, there's a health surcharge of £776 a year, paid when you apply.
- Up to 2 years, and Australians can extend for a third.
- Keep the £2,530 in your account for 28 days in a row before you apply.
5 Steps to Your Visa
Roughly the same for every country.
- 1Pick your countryCheck the age limit, savings requirements and whether you need uni.
- 2Gather the documentsA passport, bank statement, health insurance and official visa application forms. Some also want a police check or medical.
- 3Fill in and sign carefullyOne mistake on your application can cause delays or denials.
- 4Submit and waitMost visas require you to submit them in person, by post or online. They can take anywhere from 2 weeks to about 3 months.
- 5Land and registerMost countries want you to register your address or get a residence card soon after you arrive.
Your Visa Steps: Germany
Your Visa Steps: GermanyFrom the official German Consulate General in Sydney page.
- 1Fill in the form onlineComplete the online application, then print and sign it. Up to 3 months before you travel.
- 2Book your appointmentBook online with the German Consulate General in Sydney. It handles applications from every state.
- 3Gather the documentsPassport (valid 3 months past your stay), a 35×45mm photo, proof of €2,466, a flight or the money for one, and insurance covering €30,000.
- 4Go to your appointmentLodge everything in person and pay the €75 fee by Visa, Mastercard or cash.
- 5Wait about 2 weeksYour passport comes back by registered post if you leave a prepaid envelope.
- 6Register your addressOnce you've moved in, register your address at the local citizens' office (Anmeldung).
Need health insurance for your application? Genki and SafetyWing are both accepted for working holiday visas. See my picks below ↓
Check every detail on the official Germany page before you apply.
Your Visa Steps: Ireland
Your Visa Steps: IrelandFrom the official Embassy of Ireland in Canberra page.
- 1Download the formGet the Working Holiday Authorisation form from the Irish Embassy's page.
- 2Gather the documentsOriginal passport (valid 3 months past your stay), 2 photos with your name on the back, a bank statement showing AU$5,000 (or AU$2,500 plus a return ticket), education certificates and a CV with references.
- 3Post it to CanberraSend it by registered mail or courier with the AU$95 fee and a prepaid registered return envelope.
- 4Wait about 15 working daysPay AU$195 instead for a decision within 5 working days.
- 5Fly within 12 monthsThe authorisation starts when you arrive. It lapses if you don't go within 12 months of it being issued.
- 6Register with immigrationRegister at immigration (Burgh Quay in Dublin, or your local Garda station) before you start work.
Need health insurance for your application? Genki and SafetyWing are both accepted for working holiday visas. See my picks below ↓
Check every detail on the official Ireland page before you apply.
Your Visa Steps: Denmark
Your Visa Steps: DenmarkFrom the official Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration page.
- 1Pay the feePay the DKK 3,060 fee online first and keep your case order ID.
- 2Apply onlineFill in the WH1/2 online form and upload copies of every passport page and proof of DKK 18,000 plus a return ticket (or DKK 23,000 without one).
- 3Give your biometricsHave your fingerprints and photo taken within 14 days of applying online.
- 4Wait about 3 monthsThat's the normal processing time, so apply early.
- 5Register your addressAfter you arrive, register with your local municipality to get your CPR number.
Insurance isn't required for this visa, but it's still worth having cover while you're there. See my picks below ↓
Check every detail on the official Denmark page before you apply.
Your Visa Steps: France
Your Visa Steps: FranceFrom the official France-Visas page.
- 1Start onlineCreate your application on the France-Visas website.
- 2Book a VFS appointmentBook with VFS Global in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth or Adelaide, between 3 weeks and 6 months before you arrive.
- 3Gather the documentsPassport, savings (about AU$5,000), a return ticket or proof you can buy one, and insurance for your whole stay.
- 4Go to your appointmentLodge everything in person and pay the €99 visa fee plus the VFS service fee (€40 in Sydney, €70 elsewhere).
- 5Wait for the decisionThe French Consulate General in Sydney decides. You collect your passport from VFS.
Need health insurance for your application? Genki and SafetyWing are both accepted for working holiday visas. See my picks below ↓
Check every detail on the official France page before you apply.
Your Visa Steps: Belgium
Your Visa Steps: BelgiumFrom the official Belgian Embassy in Canberra and the VFS checklist page.
- 1Get a medical certificateIt has to come from a doctor appointed by the Belgian Embassy. Find one near you on the embassy's list.
- 2Get a police checkAn original National Police Certificate. Anything on it can slow things down.
- 3Pay the admin feeTransfer the €242 admin fee to Belgium's immigration office and keep proof of payment. Without it, they won't accept your application.
- 4Lodge it at VFSBook with VFS Global and bring proof of €2,500, a ticket or money for one, and insurance covering €30,000. Pay the €250 visa fee and €40 VFS fee.
- 5Wait about 1 monthUp to 3 months if anything needs checking.
- 6Register your addressAfter you arrive, register at your local town hall.
Need health insurance for your application? Genki and SafetyWing are both accepted for working holiday visas. See my picks below ↓
Check every detail on the official Belgium page before you apply.
Your Visa Steps: Netherlands
Your Visa Steps: NetherlandsFrom the official IND (Dutch immigration) page.
- 1Apply onlineUse the IND's online form no earlier than 90 days before you travel. You don't need an entry visa (MVV) first.
- 2Upload the documentsPassport, proof you can support yourself and a return ticket (or the money for one). Documents not in English, Dutch, French or German need translating.
- 3Pay the fee€85, paid when you apply.
- 4Wait for the decisionThe IND tells you when your residence permit is ready.
- 5Register in the NetherlandsAfter you arrive, register with your local municipality and collect your residence permit.
Need health insurance for your application? Genki and SafetyWing are both accepted for working holiday visas. See my picks below ↓
Check every detail on the official Netherlands page before you apply.
Your Visa Steps: Sweden
Your Visa Steps: SwedenFrom the official Migrationsverket (Swedish Migration Agency) page.
- 1Apply onlineUse the e-service from outside Sweden (or paper form 155011) and pay the SEK 1,500 fee.
- 2Attach the documentsPassport copies, a bank statement (no more than 6 months old) showing SEK 15,000, and a return ticket or the money for one.
- 3Visit the embassyGo to a Swedish embassy to show your passport and give your fingerprints.
- 4Wait for the decisionYou'll be told when it's approved. Insurance isn't required for Australians.
Insurance isn't required for this visa, but it's still worth having cover while you're there. See my picks below ↓
Check every detail on the official Sweden page before you apply.
Your Visa Steps: Norway
Your Visa Steps: NorwayFrom the official UDI (Norwegian Directorate of Immigration) page.
- 1Apply onlineFill in the UDI online form, pay the NOK 6,300 fee by card, and pick the Embassy of Norway in Canberra.
- 2Gather the documentsPassport, plus copies of the photo page and every page with a stamp or visa, a photo, proof of savings or a job offer, a health certificate, proof of where you'll stay, the signed UDI checklist and the cover letter UDI emails you.
- 3Lodge it at VFSBook with VFS Global in Melbourne, Sydney or Perth and hand everything in.
- 4Wait about 4 weeksCollect your passport and decision letter from VFS, or get it posted.
- 5Collect your permitAfter you arrive, book a police appointment to collect your residence permit. You can't start work until you have it.
Need health insurance for your application? Genki and SafetyWing are both accepted for working holiday visas. See my picks below ↓
Check every detail on the official Norway page before you apply.
Your Visa Steps: Finland
Your Visa Steps: FinlandFrom the official Migri (Finnish Immigration Service) page.
- 1Apply onlineApply through Enter Finland and pay the €530 online fee.
- 2Gather the documentsPassport, plus copies of the photo page and every page with a stamp or visa, a photo that meets Finland's rules, bank statements showing €2,450, and a return ticket or the money for one.
- 3Visit the embassyBook a visit at the Embassy of Finland in Canberra to prove your identity and give your fingerprints.
- 4Wait about 1 monthIt can take up to 3. Don't travel to Finland while you wait.
- 5Collect your permitYou're told through Enter Finland, then collect it from the embassy (or get it posted).
Need health insurance for your application? Genki and SafetyWing are both accepted for working holiday visas. See my picks below ↓
Check every detail on the official Finland page before you apply.
Your Visa Steps: Malta
Your Visa Steps: MaltaFrom the official Identity Malta (Central Visa Unit) page.
- 1Book a VFS appointmentApplications go through VFS Global. Book through Identity Malta's link.
- 2Gather the documentsPassport, a return ticket or the money for one, proof you have enough to live on (there's no set amount), and insurance covering hospital, liability and getting home.
- 3Lodge it in personHand everything in at VFS. The visa itself is free; you pay VFS's service fee.
- 4Wait for the decisionIt's issued once, can't be renewed, and lasts up to a year from when you arrive.
Need health insurance for your application? Genki and SafetyWing are both accepted for working holiday visas. See my picks below ↓
Check every detail on the official Malta page before you apply.
Your Visa Steps: Poland
Your Visa Steps: PolandFrom the official Polish Consulate General in Sydney page.
- 1Fill in the form onlineComplete the visa form on e-Konsulat and book your appointment there.
- 2Get your police checkAn AFP check with a DFAT apostille on it.
- 3Gather the documentsSigned form, passport with 2 blank pages, two 35×45mm photos, insurance covering €30,000, and proof of PLN 776 a month plus PLN 2,500 for a ticket home.
- 4Go to your appointmentLodge it in person at the Consulate in Sydney, sign a statement in front of the consul and pay the AU$334 fee.
- 5Wait about 15 working daysUp to 30 if it needs a closer look.
Need health insurance for your application? Genki and SafetyWing are both accepted for working holiday visas. See my picks below ↓
Check every detail on the official Poland page before you apply.
Your Visa Steps: Luxembourg
Your Visa Steps: LuxembourgFrom the official Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign Affairs page.
- 1Get a police checkIt needs to be less than 3 months old.
- 2Gather the documentsPassport valid at least 15 months, a copy of your uni diploma, proof of €2,500, money for a return ticket and insurance covering €30,000.
- 3Apply in CanberraLodge a type D visa application at the Belgian Embassy, which handles Luxembourg's, and pay €180.
- 4Wait up to 30 daysLuxembourg's ministry reviews it and sends the decision back to the embassy.
Need health insurance for your application? Genki and SafetyWing are both accepted for working holiday visas. See my picks below ↓
Check every detail on the official Luxembourg page before you apply.
Your Visa Steps: Slovenia
Your Visa Steps: SloveniaFrom VFS Global's official Slovenia page.
- 1Get your government letterYou need a Letter of Australian Government Support.
- 2Fill in the formComplete the long-stay visa application form.
- 3Gather the documentsPassport, a ticket out or the money for one, proof of savings, and travel insurance.
- 4Lodge it at VFSApply through VFS Global no more than 3 months before you arrive. Pay the €77 visa fee plus €29 to VFS.
Need health insurance for your application? Genki and SafetyWing are both accepted for working holiday visas. See my picks below ↓
Check every detail on the official Slovenia page before you apply.
Your Visa Steps: Hungary
Your Visa Steps: HungaryFrom the official Hungarian immigration service (OIF) page.
- 1Print the formFill in and print the Application for Temporary Residence Permit.
- 2Gather the documentsPassport valid for your whole stay, a photo, proof of savings, a return ticket or the money for one, and a prepaid registered envelope.
- 3Book an appointmentBook online with the Embassy of Hungary in Canberra.
- 4Go to your appointmentLodge it in person, give your fingerprints and pay the fee (about AU$196 at the last check).
Need health insurance for your application? Genki and SafetyWing are both accepted for working holiday visas. See my picks below ↓
Check every detail on the official Hungary page before you apply.
Your Visa Steps: Estonia
Your Visa Steps: EstoniaFrom the official Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs page.
- 1Fill in the form onlineComplete the long-stay (D) visa form on Estonia's Foreign Ministry site, then print and sign it.
- 2Gather the documentsPassport valid 3 months past your stay with 2 blank pages, a photo, travel insurance for your whole stay and proof of savings.
- 3Book an appointmentBook online with the Embassy of Estonia in Canberra.
- 4Go to your appointmentLodge everything in person and pay the €120 fee.
Need health insurance for your application? Genki and SafetyWing are both accepted for working holiday visas. See my picks below ↓
Check every detail on the official Estonia page before you apply.
Your Visa Steps: Cyprus
Your Visa Steps: CyprusBased on workingholiday.au.
- 1Get the formAsk the Cyprus High Commission in Canberra for the application form.
- 2Gather the documentsPassport valid 6 months past your stay, a photo, a return flight booking, bank statements and insurance covering €30,000.
- 3Lodge it in personAt the High Commission in Canberra. If you live more than 300km away, ask about other options.
- 4Pay and waitThe fee is about €90. It usually takes around 10 days.
Need health insurance for your application? Genki and SafetyWing are both accepted for working holiday visas. See my picks below ↓
These steps come from workingholiday.au and other guides, not the official page, which wasn't available when I checked (October 2026). Confirm them on the official page before you apply.
Your Visa Steps: Austria
Your Visa Steps: AustriaFrom the official Austrian Embassy in Canberra page.
- 1Fill in the formComplete the Visa D application form.
- 2Gather the documentsPassport, a biometric photo (under 6 months old), proof of your degree or 2 years of uni, insurance covering €30,000, proof of savings, and a ticket or the money for one.
- 3Lodge it in personAt the Austrian Embassy in Canberra or VFS Global, no earlier than 3 months before you go. Pay the €195 fee.
- 4Wait for the decisionThe embassy contacts you once it's done.
- 5Register your addressWithin 3 days of moving in, register your address (the Meldezettel).
Need health insurance for your application? Genki and SafetyWing are both accepted for working holiday visas. See my picks below ↓
Check every detail on the official Austria page before you apply.
Your Visa Steps: Greece
Your Visa Steps: GreeceBased on workingholiday.au.
- 1Gather the documentsPassport with 2 blank pages, the visa form, a photo, uni proof, 6 months of bank statements showing €3,000, a police check, a medical certificate and insurance covering €30,000.
- 2Book your appointmentWith the Greek mission for your state: Canberra (ACT), Sydney (NSW, QLD), Melbourne (VIC, TAS), Adelaide (SA, NT) or Perth (WA).
- 3Lodge it and payApply in person and pay the €75 visa fee and €150 stamp fee in cash (AUD).
- 4Wait about 15 daysSometimes longer.
- 5Get your residence permitAfter you arrive, apply at the Aliens and Immigration office in your city.
Need health insurance for your application? Genki and SafetyWing are both accepted for working holiday visas. See my picks below ↓
These steps come from workingholiday.au and other guides, not the official page, which wasn't available when I checked (October 2026). Confirm them on the official page before you apply.
Your Visa Steps: Slovakia
Your Visa Steps: SlovakiaFrom the official Slovak Consulate General in Sydney page.
- 1Fill in the formUse the national visa form. In box 21 tick "other reasons" and write "Youth Mobility Stay (WHV)".
- 2Gather the documentsPassport valid 3 months past your stay, a photo, your birth certificate, uni proof, €1,785 in savings, a ticket or money for one, insurance covering €30,000, and a prepaid return envelope.
- 3Lodge it in personAt the Slovak Consulate General in Sydney, up to a year before you arrive. Pay €50 in AUD.
- 4Wait 15 to 30 daysThe visa runs for a fixed year from the date on the sticker, not from when you arrive.
Need health insurance for your application? Genki and SafetyWing are both accepted for working holiday visas. See my picks below ↓
Check every detail on the official Slovakia page before you apply.
Your Visa Steps: San Marino
Your Visa Steps: San MarinoBased on workingholiday.au and San Marino's Foreign Ministry.
- 1Get a Schengen working holiday visaSan Marino doesn't issue visas, so you need one from a Schengen country first.
- 2Email the Foreign MinistryAsk for the Vademecum and the Letter of Presentation form. You need a degree or 2 years of uni.
- 3Get your Letter of PresentationThe Ministry issues it once your documents are checked. It gets you a stay permit for up to 12 months.
- 4Arrive and get your permitsOnce you find a job, you're also given a temporary work permit.
Need health insurance for your application? Genki and SafetyWing are both accepted for working holiday visas. See my picks below ↓
These steps come from workingholiday.au and other guides, not the official page, which wasn't available when I checked (October 2026). Confirm them on the official page before you apply.
Your Visa Steps: Italy
Your Visa Steps: ItalyFrom the official Italian Consulate in Sydney page.
- 1Book your appointmentThrough Prenot@mi with the Italian consulate for your state, no earlier than 180 days before you fly.
- 2Download your consulate's formEach consulate has its own national visa form, so use the one for your state: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth.
- 3Gather the documentsPassport copy, the completed form, a photo, flight bookings or the money for them, insurance covering €30,000, and 30 days of bank statements showing €10,000.
- 4Go to your appointmentEveryone has to attend in person. Pay the €116 fee by EFTPOS or card.
- 5Wait for the decisionThe visa is issued for 365 days.
- 6Get your residence permitWithin 8 days of arriving, apply for your permesso di soggiorno at the local police HQ (Questura).
Need health insurance for your application? Genki and SafetyWing are both accepted for working holiday visas. See my picks below ↓
Each Italian consulate in Australia publishes its own national visa form and only takes applications from its own states, so download the form from yours. Perth, for example, says only its own form will be accepted.
Check every detail on the official Italy page before you apply.
Your Visa Steps: Spain
Your Visa Steps: SpainFrom the official Spanish Consulate General in Sydney page.
- 1Request an appointmentEmail the consulate for your state (Sydney: cog.sydney.vis@maec.es). Apply no earlier than 3 months before you go.
- 2Get your Spanish certificateSpanish at A1 or higher, for example DELE A1.
- 3Get a medical and police checkBoth less than 3 months old. The police check covers every country you've lived in for the last 5 years.
- 4Gather the documentsPassport, the visa form, uni proof, AU$915 for each month you'll stay, insurance and the NIE form (AU$16).
- 5Go to your appointmentLodge it in person and pay the fee in cash or money order (AU$635 in Melbourne; email Sydney for theirs).
Need health insurance for your application? Genki and SafetyWing are both accepted for working holiday visas. See my picks below ↓
Check every detail on the official Spain page before you apply.
Your Visa Steps: Portugal
Your Visa Steps: PortugalFrom Portugal's official visa portal.
- 1Get your government letterYou need a Letter of Australian Government Support and a signed solemn statement.
- 2Gather the documentsPassport, proof of functional Portuguese, uni proof, travel and health insurance, a clean criminal record, and a return ticket or the money for one.
- 3Apply onlineLodge it through Portugal's visa portal.
- 4Wait for the decisionThe fee isn't published, so check it when you apply.
Need health insurance for your application? Genki and SafetyWing are both accepted for working holiday visas. See my picks below ↓
Check every detail on the official Portugal page before you apply.
Your Visa Steps: Czech Republic
Your Visa Steps: Czech RepublicFrom the official Czech Consulate General in Sydney page.
- 1Book your appointmentBook online with the Consulate General in Sydney. Applications are lodged in person.
- 2Sort your accommodationYou need proof of where you'll live for your whole stay.
- 3Gather the documentsPassport, proof of savings for your stay, a statutory declaration that you have no criminal convictions in Australia, and proof of travel medical insurance.
- 4Go to your appointmentLodge everything in person and pay the CZK 2,500 fee in AUD.
- 5Collect your visaBring your insurance proof when the visa is put in your passport.
Need health insurance for your application? Genki and SafetyWing are both accepted for working holiday visas. See my picks below ↓
Check every detail on the official Czech Republic page before you apply.
Your Visa Steps: United Kingdom
Your Visa Steps: United KingdomFrom the official GOV.UK page.
- 1Hold the savingsKeep £2,530 in your account for 28 days in a row, ending within 31 days of applying.
- 2Apply onlineApply on GOV.UK and pay the £340 fee plus the health surcharge (£776 a year).
- 3Prove your identityUse the UK ID check app or go to a visa application centre, and upload your documents.
- 4Wait about 3 weeksThat's the usual time for a decision.
Insurance isn't required for this visa, but it's still worth having cover while you're there. See my picks below ↓
Check every detail on the official United Kingdom page before you apply.
Find a Place to Live
Pick a country above to see the best sites for finding a room or flat there.
Find a Place to Live: Germany
Tip: these sites are mostly in the local language. Use your browser's translate option, or paste listings into DeepL.
Find a Place to Live: Denmark
Tip: these sites are mostly in the local language. Use your browser's translate option, or paste listings into DeepL.
Find a Place to Live: France
Tip: these sites are mostly in the local language. Use your browser's translate option, or paste listings into DeepL.
Find a Place to Live: Belgium
Tip: these sites are mostly in the local language. Use your browser's translate option, or paste listings into DeepL.
Find a Place to Live: Netherlands
Tip: these sites are mostly in the local language. Use your browser's translate option, or paste listings into DeepL.
Find a Place to Live: Sweden
Tip: these sites are mostly in the local language. Use your browser's translate option, or paste listings into DeepL.
Find a Place to Live: Norway
Tip: these sites are mostly in the local language. Use your browser's translate option, or paste listings into DeepL.
Find a Place to Live: Finland
Tip: these sites are mostly in the local language. Use your browser's translate option, or paste listings into DeepL.
Find a Place to Live: Malta
Find a Place to Live: Poland
Tip: these sites are mostly in the local language. Use your browser's translate option, or paste listings into DeepL.
Find a Place to Live: Luxembourg
Tip: these sites are mostly in the local language. Use your browser's translate option, or paste listings into DeepL.
Find a Place to Live: Slovenia
Tip: these sites are mostly in the local language. Use your browser's translate option, or paste listings into DeepL.
Find a Place to Live: Hungary
Tip: these sites are mostly in the local language. Use your browser's translate option, or paste listings into DeepL.
Find a Place to Live: Estonia
Tip: these sites are mostly in the local language. Use your browser's translate option, or paste listings into DeepL.
Find a Place to Live: Cyprus
Tip: these sites are mostly in the local language. Use your browser's translate option, or paste listings into DeepL.
Find a Place to Live: Austria
Tip: these sites are mostly in the local language. Use your browser's translate option, or paste listings into DeepL.
Find a Place to Live: Greece
Tip: these sites are mostly in the local language. Use your browser's translate option, or paste listings into DeepL.
Find a Place to Live: Slovakia
Tip: these sites are mostly in the local language. Use your browser's translate option, or paste listings into DeepL.
Find a Place to Live: San Marino
Tip: these sites are mostly in the local language. Use your browser's translate option, or paste listings into DeepL.
Find a Place to Live: Italy
Tip: these sites are mostly in the local language. Use your browser's translate option, or paste listings into DeepL.
Find a Place to Live: Spain
Tip: these sites are mostly in the local language. Use your browser's translate option, or paste listings into DeepL.
Find a Place to Live: Portugal
Tip: these sites are mostly in the local language. Use your browser's translate option, or paste listings into DeepL.
Find a Place to Live: Czech Republic
Tip: these sites are mostly in the local language. Use your browser's translate option, or paste listings into DeepL.
Health Insurance
Both of these are accepted for working holiday visa applications. Almost every country wants proof of health insurance for your whole stay, and both run as subscriptions, so you're not locked into exact dates.
Affiliate links: the buttons below are affiliate links. I wasn't paid to recommend these. Genki is what I use for my own visa applications, and SafetyWing is a good alternative. If you sign up through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Genki Traveler
Travel health insurance for trips of up to 12 months. The right fit for a one-year working holiday.
From €52.50 a month
- Up to €1,000,000 for doctor visits, hospital stays and getting you home.
- Cancel any time after the first month.
- I went to the doctor in Germany, sent them the invoice, and got paid back in full.
SafetyWing Nomad Insurance
Travel medical insurance you pay every 4 weeks, popular with long-term travellers.
From US$62.72 every 4 weeks
- Up to US$250,000 for medical treatment and hospital stays.
- Includes lost luggage, travel delays and some cover on trips home.
- Doesn't cover pre-existing conditions.
Some countries set a minimum amount of cover, like Germany and Poland wanting at least €30,000. Both plans cover far more than that. Prices are the cheapest options for 18–30 year olds and change with age.
Will I Find a Home, a Job, Friends?
Yes, yes and yes, if you show up, stay persistent and give it time. Here's how.
A place to live
- A lot of Europe has a housing crisis right now. That's not a reason to stay home.
- Contacts are the best way in. A lot of rooms go through people you meet once you're there.
- Still start looking before you fly. Search on official rental property sites (links above) and join "Expats in [your city]" Facebook groups (the private ones are best, and watch for scams).
- Message landlords properly: who you are, your plan for work, your savings and your move-in date. Write in their language (DeepL helps) and say you're Australian.
- Have your CV and bank statements ready. Skip paid listing sites until you've landed.
A job
- Every major city needs English-speaking staff, mostly in bars and hospitality.
- Bar work is the easiest place to get by on English alone. It's how I started in Germany.
- Try Irish, Australian and English pubs, and restaurants serving international food. Bring a CV.
- Start learning the language anyway, and tell employers you are. It makes life much easier.
Friends
- Before I left I was a complete introvert. Europe pushed me out of my comfort zone, and those connections are why I made it.
- Every major city has a big English-speaking expat crowd, even if the locals take longer to crack.
- Go to the local pub, join Facebook groups and find international meetups.
- It won't happen in week one. But be patient. It will happen.
Got a question? Feel free to get in touch. Message me on my official Instagram, @go.look.outside, or email me at jack@golookoutside.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
For most European countries with eased requirements, you’ll need less than $10,000 AUD in savings. This typically covers your visa fee, a return flight, health insurance, and enough to support yourself while you find work. Countries like Italy and Spain have stricter savings requirements — Italy requires €10,000 (~$17,880 AUD) and Spain requires around $915 AUD per month of your stay.
Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands and Sweden are among the easiest — they have low visa fees, straightforward document requirements, and no tertiary education requirement. Austria, Ireland, Luxembourg, and Poland require you to have completed at least two years of tertiary education.
Yes. Almost every major European city has a large English-speaking community, and many hospitality and gastronomy jobs require only English. That said, learning even basic phrases in the local language will make everyday life much easier and improve your job prospects
The most common jobs are in hospitality and gastronomy — bartending, waiting tables, and working in cafés. Australian, Irish, and English-themed bars are always looking for native English speakers. Other options include hostel work, marketing, retail, and seasonal tourism jobs.
Most countries require proof that you have the funds to purchase a return flight, but not necessarily a booked ticket. Check your specific country’s embassy page for the exact requirement — some ask for a booked return flight, while others just want proof of sufficient funds.
