All about the working holiday in Germany!
We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005 (medical expenses, hospitalisation, repatriation…).
Between 18 and 30 years old
A valid passport for your entire stay
At least €3,000 or equivalent in another currency
This must be your first participation
Must be commensurate with statutory German public health insurance
Apply before the annual quota is reached
01. What is the Working Holiday Visa?
WHVs are bilateral accords signed between governments to promote youth mobility and cultural exchange. Participating countries allow young adults to spend a set period of time (usually one year) living and working abroad. Most of the accords are signed between countries in Europe, the Americas, Oceania, and East Asia. A WHV encourages cultural exchange alongside the chance to gain valuable work experience, though participants are not obligated to work.
02. Which nationalities are eligible?
Young adults from the following countries can apply for the Working Holiday Visa to Germany:
Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan and Uruguay.
03. What is the application fee?
The visa fee is €75.
04. What documents are required for the application?
- Completed application form
- Passport
- 2 ID photos
- Proof of sufficient savings
- Private health insurance
- CV
These requirements are taken from the website of German Missions in the UK but they are applicable to applicants of all nationalities. However, the submission step will take place in your own country.
05. How long is the visa good for?
The Working Holiday Visa allows its holder to stay up to one year in Germany.
06. Are there any other requirements I should be aware of?
You will need to register your new residence (Anmeldung) with the authorities (Meldebehörde) within 2 weeks of having moved in, and apply for your residence permit with the local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) within the first 90 days of stay in Germany.
07. Do I need to buy health insurance?
Yes. As a part of your application, you will need to provide confirmation of health insurance coverage (including accident insurance, Unfallversicherung) commensurate with the level of statutory German public health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung). Read more about the requirements. The WHV is a category D visa.
08. Are there any work restrictions?
You may only take up employment once you have been issued a residence permit (mentioned in earlier FAQ) explicitly authorising working holiday employment.
Restrictions apply to certain nationalities:
- Argentina: work for a total of six months only
- Australia: no other restrictions
- Canada: no other restrictions
- Chile: cannot work for any employer for more than 6 months
- Israel: cannot work for any employer for more than 3 months
- Japan: no other restrictions
- New Zealand: no other restrictions
- Uruguay: cannot work for any employer for more than 6 months
09. What is pvtistes.net and how can it help me?
We are a team of current and former working holiday makers dedicated to providing free information and resources about the working holiday in Germany and other destinations. Read our helpful articles, leave comments if you have questions, and check out our special deals.
We don't ask for any money, and neither should anyone else in your application process (besides the embassy/consulate and their official partners). Be very careful of online scams where someone might ask you for an exorbitant amount to help you get your visa. Working Holiday Visas are designed to be relatively easy to obtain yourself, so there is absolutely no need to pay any professional service to do it on your behalf.
10. Where can I apply?
You can start your application online here on the website of Germany's Federal Foreign Office.
Once you complete the application form, print it out, and gather all your supporting documents, you can make appointment at a German Mission. Visit this website to find one near you.
As mentioned above, all working holiday makers must buy private health insurance. According to German authorities, the coverage must be equivalent to that of German public health insurance. You should choose one that covers medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation.
We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005. They have covered thousands of working holiday makers over the years.
- Chapter 5: Getting WHV health insurance
- Everything You Need to Know About Insurance for Working Holiday and Other Adventures Abroad
- What to have in your Working Holiday adventure first-aid kit
Germany’s currency is the euro (€). There are two main ways to open a foreign-currency account: via 1) a traditional bank or 2) an online neo-bank. Traditional banks usually require you to already be in the country. You would have to make and attend an appointment where a representative would ask you for some documents.
If you want to have a euro debit card in hand before even arriving in Germany, you may want to consider the second option, an online neo-bank like Wise. It is an app that offers multi-currency financial services. Customers receive a physical debit card that can be used to withdraw cash at local ATMs. Your euro account would also have its own routing and account numbers, so you can set up autopay, direct deposits, or transfer money to recipients in Germany. These capabilities could be useful in exchanges with your employer or landlord. You can register from your home country or once you arrive in Germany. Learn more about Wise.
There are advantages to both options. Wise registration is simple and quick, but traditional banks offer the possibility of issuing and depositing cheques, if that is something you need. So you could make a Wise account first and then a traditional account once you arrive in Germany.
Once your application is approved, you’ll need to think about where to live, especially in the first few days and weeks. If you are planning on renting long term housing, we recommend you wait until you arrive in Germany before paying a deposit or signing anything. Never send money to anyone without seeing the place in person.
For your first couple of weeks, you could consider Airbnb or hotels. But the most affordable option is going to be youth hostels. You can find some great ones on Hostelworld.
- Chapter 6. Booking housing for your arrival
- 7 Tips for finding housing during your working holiday abroad
- Couchsurfing Abroad
Once your application is approved, you will have plenty of things to take care of. Some of them are more urgent than others, so this list breaks down your to-dos, starting with the most urgent to the least. It may seem like a lot, but don’t worry, one step at a time!
As you prepare for your working holiday in Germany, check out our library of free articles and guides. Everyone on the pvtistes.net team has done (or is currently on) a working holiday, and so everything we write is from personal experience.
This is also the perfect chance to learn or brush up on German. Babbel is partnering with pvtistes.net to offer 20% off on language courses (learn more). Also check out our some other deals for working holiday makers.
All applicants must be at least 18 years of age but have not turned 31 yet when filing your application.
Exception: Canadian applicants can be up to 35 years old (inclusive).
A valid passport for the entire duration of your working holiday. It must be issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least 6 months. The passport needs to have at least 2 consecutive blank pages (i.e. a blank double page spread).
At least €3,000 or equivalent in another currency. You must provide evidence of sufficient funds to cover your living expenses in Germany for the first 3 months of your stay. The minimum is €1,000 per month.
See our chapter on budgeting for an idea of how much more savings you should have for a working holiday.
This must be your first participation. If you have already been in Germany on a working holiday, then you cannot apply again.
Confirmation of health insurance coverage (including accident insurance, Unfallversicherung) commensurate with the level of statutory German public health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung).
Apply before the annual quota is reached. Germany sets an annual quota by nationality for the number of Working Holiday Visas issued.
- Brazil: 1,000
- Hong Kong: 300
- Taiwan: 500
Quotas may change slightly year to year.
There are no quotas for other nationalities.