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New Zealand Working Holiday Visa for Germans: 2025-2026 Guide

Jackson
07-10-2025
New Zealand Working Holiday Visa for Germans: 2025-2026 Guide
Article Summary
Dreaming of an adventure in New Zealand? If you're a young German aged 18-30 with a valid passport, the Working Holiday Visa could be your ticket! This program allows you to live, travel, and work in New Zealand for 12 months, with an option to extend for another 3 months if you engage in seasonal work in certain industries. Here’s what you need to know:
- Eligibility is straightforward: Just be within the age limit and have a valid German passport.
- Application process: Entirely online, with a fee of NZ$770 and financial proof requirements. Show more

Every year, countless young Germans embark on the gap year of a lifetime in New Zealand thanks to the Working Holiday Visa.

If you are 18-30 years old (inclusive) and have a valid German passport, you could join in the fun too, solo or with friends!

Table of contents

  1. What is the Working Holiday Visa?
  2. Eligibility criteria
  3. Application overview
  4. FAQ

1. What is the Working Holiday Visa?

The New Zealand Working Holiday Visa was created by the governments of Germany and New Zealand (official agreement) to encourage young adults from Germany to live, travel, and work in New Zealand. In exchange, young Kiwis can also come discover Germany.

As a German passport holder, you can receive a Working Holiday Visa to New Zealand for 12 months. If you perform 3 months of seasonal work in the viticulture or horticulture industries during your stay, you can apply to extend your stay by 3 more months, for a total of 15 months.

The Working Holiday Visa is an open work permit, meaning you may work for whomever you choose. However, employment shouldn’t be the main motive for your working holiday in Australia. That’s why most participants take up short term or part time jobs.

2. Eligibility criteria

The eligibility criteria are simple. You must:

  • Be 18-30 years old, inclusive
  • Have valid German passport

3. Application overview

The application can be done entirely online and isn’t complicated. However, you should beware of the following before starting it:

  • Once your visa is granted, you must activate it by entering New Zealand within 12 months, otherwise your visa will be invalid.
  • Upon entry into New Zealand, your passport should be valid for at least 3 months beyond the expiry date of your Working Holiday Visa.
  • There is a NZ$770 application fee (subject to change).
  • You need to have at least the equivalent of NZ$4,200 in savings in your name, plus an additional NZ$1,500 for an eventual return flight (unless you’ve already bought one).

If you’re ready to apply, check out our full application guide that walks through the steps:

  1. Create an account on the Immigration New Zealand website.
  2. Fill out the online application form.
  3. Submit your application form and pay the application fee.
  4. Wait for your application to be processed.

4. FAQ

If you have any other questions, feel free to comment below or go to our forum!

Do I have to buy travel medical insurance?

Yes. Travel medical insurance is a requirement for the New Zealand Working Holiday Visa. We’ve been recommending Globe WHV insurance since 2005. They’ve already covered thousands of working holiday makers, to New Zealand and elsewhere.

Is there a quota?

No. There is no annual limit to the number of Working Holiday Visas issued to German participants, so you can apply any time of year.

How do people spend their working holiday?

There are as many ways to spend a working holiday as the number of participants! You’re in the driver’s seat (maybe literally, if you decide to go on a road trip). To get some inspiration, read these interviews with current and past working holiday makers in New Zealand.

How do I apply?

The application can be done fully online, so you don’t have to be physically in Germany. We explain everything in our NZ Working Holiday Visa application guide.

How long does it take for my visa application to be processed?

According to NZ authorities, 80% of applications are processed within two weeks.

How do I find housing and work? What about banking and telephone? I’m overwhelmed!

Moving abroad can be stressful! But don’t worry, we have free articles and guides on all of these important topics. Everyone on the pvtistes.net team is a current or past working holiday maker, so everything we write is from actual experience.

How can I find good deals for flights?

Pvtistes.net has a special partnership with Ulysse travel agency. If you book your flight to New Zealand or Australia on their portal, you will have access to preferential airfare, a free checked bag up to 40 kg, and other benefits. Learn more.

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Jackson

I'm a web writer at pvtistes.net. In February 2023 I moved from Vancouver to Paris. Adventures await.
Je suis rédacteur web chez pvtistes.net. En février 2023 j’ai déménagé de Vancouver à Paris. Des aventures m’attendent.

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