Working Holiday Visa for Germany
For Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Israel, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay: age limits, what you can do for 12 months, employer limits, registration, taxes, and job ideas.
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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.
The visa is meant for travel and short-term work, not long-term migration. You can work to fund your stay, but immigration authorities expect your main purpose to be living in Germany temporarily. You can usually use this visa only once in your lifetime.
For skilled career migration, see Skilled Worker Visa in Germany. For address registration, see Anmeldung. For structured childcare stays, see Au Pair in Germany. Compare all visa routes: Which Visa Do You Need 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, including where you must apply and how much money you must show. For example, some nationalities must apply only at a specific mission (such as Seoul, Taipei, Hong Kong, or within Brazil), while others may use a broader set of German embassies or, in limited cases, convert after entry. 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
- Health insurance for the full stay is mandatory for the visa. Arrange cover that meets your embassy checklist before you apply or travel. Once you take a job, you can often switch to German statutory insurance.
- 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
- Confirm eligibility (country, age, first-time use of this visa).
- Arrange health insurance for the full 12-month period.
- Gather passport, insurance proof, funds proof, and embassy forms.
- Apply at the German embassy or consulate in your home country. Attend an interview if they ask. Approval often takes about 4 to 8 weeks.
After you arrive, register your address (Anmeldung) and start looking for work.
Useful links
Disclaimer: This guide is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or professional advice. While we endeavour to ensure the information is accurate and current, we provide no guarantee, express or implied, regarding the completeness, accuracy, or reliability of the content. Users act solely at their own risk. For binding decisions, please consult with the relevant municipal authorities or a qualified legal professional.