Working Abroad

Here’s a hot tip: there is one country where working to earn money for a European trip is better than any other. There are no language problems, no problems with taxes or laws, and the wages are relatively high. On top of that, prospective European travelers are welcomed wholeheartedly by the locals. This wondrous country, for Americans, is called the United States of America. Another profound truth learned at great pain. The best place for Americans to work to pay for a European trip is right at home. Why go to Europe and get some miserable low-paying job that barely covers food and rent when you could sacrifice some free time in the States and then travel without the need to work? Oh, yeah: “But I’ll be in Europe while I work.” True, but you will be working, possibly illegally, probably very hard, and probably for low wages, and all the while your vacation will be ticking by. Why not sacrifice some time at home and earn the money here, with housing, transportation, and all the other life issues already settled? Just my opinion.

If you have a great job lined up in Europe, that’s different. If the money earned is secondary to the purpose of being immersed more deeply in the culture, by all means, go for that job. But to earn money efficiently, there’s no place like home.

For Canadians, Kiwis, Aussies, and those from other Commonwealth countries, the picture is slightly different. Britain has a policy of grudgingly allowing descendants of its former colonists back to the motherland to work, though with many restrictions. Commonwealth citizens with one or more grandparents born in Britain may not need a work permit at all, though they must apply for entry. Commonwealth citizens between ages 17 and 26 can apply to be “working holiday-makers” and stay for up to two years, though working no more than half the time of their stay. Be aware that these policies may have changed since this book went to press, so call the embassy of your country of interest for more information.

As far as working in the rest of the European Union, every country has different rules, and none are exactly screaming for hordes of travelers to come and take high-paying jobs. (France, for example, seems to have a ten percent unemployment rate as a national policy.) Brits have full EU privileges, of course, and Commonwealth citizens mentioned above may be able to use their British entry as a Trojan Horse to work in other nations. Also, if you have a parent or grandparent who emigrated from a European country, contact its embassy to see if you have any privileges. Germany, Ireland, and Greece, in particular, are supposed to welcome home prodigal descendants. Regardless of your status, if you wish to work in a particular country, contact that country’s embassy months before leaving to get all details and necessary forms, well in advance. Even then, expect a few snags before it’s over. Good luck.

WARNING: Any readers planning on working in Britain without permission, or entering Europe via Britain with the intention of working in another country, should see the section on British immigration officials at the end of Chapter 11, “Crime, safety, and sleaze.”