Working Holiday Visa for Germany: Travel, Work, and Explore

Germany has Working Holiday agreements with selected countries. If you qualify, you can live in Germany for up to 12 months, travel, and take legal jobs without a job offer before arrival.

This route is built for cultural exchange and travel, not long-term migration. You can work to support your stay, but your main purpose should be experiencing life in Germany. You can usually use this visa only once in your lifetime.

For skilled career migration, see Job Seeker Visa for Germany or Skilled Worker Visa (Germany). For address registration, see Anmeldung. For structured childcare stays, see Au Pair in Germany.

Who can apply

Citizenship. You must be a citizen of a country with a current agreement. Participating countries currently include:

• Australia and New Zealand
• Japan and South Korea
• Hong Kong and Taiwan
• Israel
• Chile, Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay

Agreements can change. Always confirm the current list with your German embassy or consulate before applying.

Age. You are usually between 18 and 30. Citizens of South Korea may be eligible up to 34, depending on current rules.

Other conditions.

• Valid passport
• You have not held a German Working Holiday visa before
• Health insurance for the full stay
• Proof of sufficient funds (amount varies by nationality)
• Return ticket, or enough money to buy one

Some details differ by country. Check your embassy checklist carefully.

What you can and cannot do

Work. You may take any legal job. Many agreements limit work with the same employer to about six months.

Typical jobs.

• Hospitality (bars, restaurants, hotels)
• Seasonal farm work or WWOOF-style placements
• Au pair roles (see Au Pair in Germany for rules and limits)
• English tutoring or language support
• Festival or ski-resort seasonal work

Study. Short courses are often allowed. A full degree program requires a student visa, not a Working Holiday visa.

Travel. You can travel in Germany and, within Schengen rules, visit other Schengen countries. A common limit is up to 90 days in other Schengen states per 180-day period (verify current Schengen guidance for your dates).

After arrival: registration, jobs, and tax

Address registration. Register at the Bürgeramt within two weeks of moving in. This is legally required. See Anmeldung.

Tax ID. After registration, you usually receive a tax ID (Steuer-ID) by mail. Employers need it for payroll.

Finding work. Useful platforms include Indeed.de, StepStone, local Facebook groups, and word-of-mouth from other Working Holiday participants.

Taxes. Income is taxed under normal German rules, often tax class 1 (Steuerklasse 1). If you worked only part of the year, you may receive a refund after filing an annual tax return.

Practical tips

• Buy comprehensive health insurance before you travel. Emergency care in Germany is expensive without coverage.
• Learn basic German before arrival. Even English-friendly jobs become easier with German.
• Budget conservatively. Living costs can be higher than expected in major cities.
• Network with other Working Holiday travelers for housing and job leads.
• Consider cities beyond Berlin. Smaller cities often have less competition and faster hiring.

Next steps

1. Confirm eligibility (country, age, first-time use of this visa).
2. Arrange health insurance for the full 12-month period.
3. Gather passport, insurance proof, funds proof, and embassy forms.
4. Apply at the German embassy or consulate in your home country.
5. Attend an interview if required.
6. Wait for approval (often about 4 to 8 weeks).
7. Travel within the visa validity period.
8. Register your address at the Bürgeramt after arrival and start your job search.

Useful links

• German Foreign Office: Working Holiday FAQ