Experience Germany: between school, university and work
Working holiday, au pair or internship: the best gap-year options to explore Germany and earn money at the same time.
Sabine Giehle ,
11.06.2025 
How can I earn money in Germany?
If you’re in between school and university – or between university and your first job – and you have some time to explore Germany, its culture and everyday life in the country while earning some money on the side, check out the following options!
Working holiday programme
Who? Young people aged between 18 and 30 (for those from Canada: up to the age of 35) can travel and work in Germany for a year on a working holiday visa.
From which countries? Working holiday programmes are in place for people from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Taiwan and Uruguay. The Youth Mobility Agreement applies to Canada.
How? You can apply for a visa at the German embassy or consulate in your country. Australians, Israelis, Japanese, Canadians and New Zealanders can apply after entering Germany.
Further details: Federal Foreign Office
Au pair in Germany
Who? Young people aged between 18 and 27 can live and work with a German family as an au pair for six to twelve months.
From which countries? Au pairs from EU/EEA member states and Switzerland do not require a visa. Applicants from other countries will require a residence permit.
What else? You should go through a certified au pair agency. See Gütegemeinschaft Au-pair e.V. for details of accredited agencies.
Further details: Federal Employment Agency
Holiday job and internship
Who? Students at foreign universities up to the age of 35 can work in Germany for at least two months and up to 90 days per year during the semester break. If you want to do a subject-related internship, you must have completed at least four semesters of your degree programme.
From which countries? People from EU/EEA member states and Switzerland do not require a visa. Applicants from other countries will need authorisation from the BA, which must be requested by the employer. The process can take time.
What else? You can apply for a holiday job through a BA partner office or directly via the Federal Employment Agency. See the BA job exchange for details of internships.
Further details: Federal Employment Agency
