All about Luxembourg's Working Holiday Program!
We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005 (medical expenses, hospitalization, repatriation…).
Between 18 and 30 or 35 years old
A valid passport for the entire duration of your working holiday
At least €2500 or equivalent in another currency
This must be your first participation
Coverage must be at least €30,000
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 in Luxembourg:
Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan.
03. What is the application fee?
It varies slightly by your place of application.
- Australia: €180
- Canada: CA$270
- New Zealand: €180
Readers of other nationalities can check here.
04. What documents are required for the application?
Standard items include:
- Completed application form
- Passport
- ID photos
- Adequate health insurance
- Proof of sufficient funds
To see the full list required of your nationality, click here.
05. How long is the visa good for?
The WHV allows its holder to stay up to one year in Luxembourg.
06. How long is the processing time?
According to Luxembourg's official website, decisions are made within 30 days.
07. Do I need to buy health insurance?
Yes. Your insurance must be valid for the full year. Coverage amount must be at least €30,000. We recommend that it cover at least medical, hospitalisation and repatriation.
08. Can I leave and re-enter at any time?
Yes, you will be issued a multiple-entry visa.
09. Are there any work restrictions?
Official text for Taiwanese participants: Participants will be allowed to engage in temporary employment with one or multiple employers during the period covered by the long-term visa.
Official text for all other participants: Participants are only authorized to work in Luxembourg on a seasonal basis or for a fixed period of up to 6 months with one or more employers during the period covered by the long-stay visa.
10. 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 Luxembourg 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.
11. Where can I apply?
The application instructions for your nationality can be found on Luxembourg's official website.
Note that:
- Canadians: your application will be received and processed by the Consulate General of Belgium in Montreal.
- Australians and New Zealanders: your application will be received and processed by the Embassy of Belgium in Australia.
As mentioned earlier, all working holiday makers must have health insurance for the duration of their WHV.
Your insurance must be valid for the full year. Coverage amount must be at least €30,000. It should cover at least medical, 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
Luxembourg’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 Luxembourg, 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 Luxembourg. These capabilities could be useful in exchanges with your employer or landlord. You can register from your home country or once you arrive in Luxembourg. 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 Luxembourg.
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 Luxembourg 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
After you get your visa, 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 Luxembourg, 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 French or 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. The age limit varies by nationality.
- Australians: 30
- Canadians: 30
- Chileans: 35
- Japanese: 30
- New Zealanders: 30
- Taiwanese: 35
Source
You must have a passport that is valid for the entire duration of your working holiday.
At least €2500 or equivalent in another currency, to show that you can support yourself during your stay and purchase a departure ticket.
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 Luxembourg on a working holiday, then you cannot apply again.
Coverage amount must be at least €30,000, and we recommend picking an insurance that covers medical expenses, hospitalisation, and repatriation. Those are standard requirements for most WHV destinations.
Apply before the annual quota is reached. Luxembourg sets an annual quota by nationality for the number of WHVs issued.
- Australians: 100
- Canadians: 100
- Chileans: 50
- Japanese: 100
- New Zealanders: 50
- Taiwanese: 40
Source