Austria opens up for working holiday visas!

Article compiled and reported by the editorial team of MOOK Scenic Spots Travel Life Network

Following Slovakia’s opening to Taiwan for working holiday programs, the Taipei Representative Office in Austria and the Austrian Office in Taipei, representing their respective governments, signed a “Joint Statement on the Youth Working Holiday Program” on November 18, becoming the...This makes Austria the 8th country in Europe and the 13th in the world to offer a reciprocal working holiday program for youth from both countries. The program is expected to launch by the end of the year, with applications opening in January next year.

Austria is the 8th country in Europe (after Germany, the UK, Ireland, Belgium, Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland) and the 13th globally to sign a Youth Working Holiday Program with Taiwan. According to the joint statement, both sides have agreed to issue working holiday visas valid for six months to eligible applicants, with a visa quota of 50 individuals per country. The visa is intended for young people aged 18 to 30 who plan to reside in the other country for vacation purposes and to engage in short-term work to fund their travels.

Situated in Central Europe, Austria has a population of around 8 million and German as its official language. It holds a strategically important geographic location, bordering Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, and Switzerland, making it a key gateway to Eastern European countries.

Currently, Taiwan has signed working holiday agreements

I. Before Departure
● Gather and understand information about the destination country
Young travelers should enhance their communication skills in English or the local language before departure. They should collect information on potential work opportunities from local embassies or institutions, as well as details about language learning centers, living environments, and weather conditions. This preparation will help them adapt to and experience local work and life more smoothly upon arrival.

● Purchase overseas medical and accident insurance
It is essential to purchase comprehensive annual overseas emergency assistance and medical insurance from reputable insurers, either domestic or international. The policy should cover accidental injuries, outpatient and emergency medical treatment, surgeries, medications, and emergency medical evacuation. Without such insurance coverage during your stay abroad, you may face exorbitant medical and hospitalization expenses that are typically unaffordable for most families back home.