Now is the time to prepare for your summer job experience abroad.

In order to help you to find a job for an experience abroad, we have selected a few organisations for each of the themes below.

Job Hunting in Germany

Vacancies in pubs, hotels, restaurant, catering

Get a train, a bus, hitchhike to the city and find yourself a youth hostel (see our pages on accommodation). Then knock on every door on your way, ask around to various hotels/bars/restaurants companies (see a list in guidebooks may help you) to find some temporary work, particularly during the summer months when tourism is high and demanding. It is best to turn up early in the tourist season as vacancies may be quickly filled. Be persistent as you are not the only one to look for a summer job, and success will soon cross your way.

A few doors to knock at and ask for any vacancies:

• Pubs, sandwich shops
• Small shops
• Security agent
• Read newspapers and magazines

You will find jobs all throughout Germany in pubs, hotels,...etc, but the busiest tourist areas are obviously cities such as Frankfurt, Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg.

Types of jobs in hotels include porters, kitchen staff, waiters and waitresses, and cleaning staff. A lot of hotels also provide employees with food and accommodation, but charges may be deducted from your monthly wage, which could average about €600 a month.

Working Holidays in Germany (http://www.workingholidays.de) recruits for 3 to 6 months, usually attracting gap year students. People work in family hotels or family farms, and duties often include looking after animals (like horses) and children, and tasks such as cooking.

The Student will be paid Euro 51 a week with all his/her keep and will be expected to work 36 hours a week with one day free.

Knowledge of German is important and you will have the opportunity to improve your linguistic skills even more.

Agricultural Work

German offer less employment opportunities in agricultural areas than in a lot of other European countries, such as France for example with the vineyards. However, if you are interesting, you might either try to find directly by contacting farms, or use a volunteer organization such as WWOOF (http://www.wwoof.org). See our volunteer article for more details.

Au Pair

Au pairs in Germany work for about 25 hours a week and can expect to earn at least €200 per month.
You can find more information in our Au Pair article.

See also: Lists au pair agencies for Germany: Europa Pages.

Teaching

In most foreign-speaking countries you will find some openings for positions teaching. The best places to look are probably language institutions, you might better contact specific associations and organisations such as TEFL, that provides jobs teaching abroad.

Working holiday visa

Visa requirements are crucial to your trip planning.
This section is intended for reference only. We strongly recommend that you contact the embassy directly for the most up to date info.

In Germany

As a general rule EU citizens may enter and stay in Germany for up to 90 days without needing a Visa. If you intend to stay for longer than three months you will need to apply for a residence permit (aufenthaltsgenehmigung) for which you will require proof of having found somewhere to live.

A visa is not required for visits of up to 3 months in duration. If you wish to stay in Germany for longer than this time, or if you intend to work in Germany you should contact the German Embassy.

Within seven days of arriving in Germany you should obtain a certificate of registration (anmeldebestätigung). Furthermore, if you aim to work in a restaurant, bar, café etc. it is advisable to obtain a health certificate (gesundheitszeugnis).

Discount Cards

A youth card or student card can offer you a lot of advantages abroad and is a recognition of your status. Two international cards will give you discounts and are essential for those taking a gap year or going backpacking:

• ISIC card (International Student Identity Card): this is for any full-time student over 12 years old.
• IYTC (International Youth Travel Card): if you are not a student, but are under 26, then this card is for you. IYTC has become internationally recognised as an identity card in 50 countries.

What the Cards offer:

• Valuable discounts on air, travel, bus and ferry, transport and accomodation (gap year backpacking discounts).
• Access to over 33,000 discounts in over 100 countries.
• Reduced admission to museums, galleries and historic states.
• Access to student travel organisations in over 90 countries.
• 24 hour emergency, legal and medical help line services.
• Basic sickness and accident travel insurance.

You can apply directly online to get the cards (http://www.isiccard.com) or buy asking your University or youth centers.

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