Europe is a beautiful and diverse continent with history and culture, but unfortunately, it’s not cheap. Taking a 3-month backpacking trip to Europe differs from traveling in Asia or South America.
In Europe, you’ll find that your funds can dry up much quicker than anticipated.
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This is particularly great if you want to extend your trip or if a specific place (or person!) steals your heart and you want to stay put for a while.
Perhaps you’re already in Europe and figuring out how to stay longer. Or, maybe you’re planning to travel and work in Europe in the future.
If so, read on to discover the best backpacker jobs in Europe. The positions below are all relatively easy to get.
Some backpacker jobs listed below provide free accommodation in Europe, and some are paid.
These jobs for backpackers in Europe will add a unique experience to your trip and give you memories that will last a lifetime.
1. Hostel Jobs In Europe
As a backpacker, the easiest place to find a job in Europe is in a hostel. You usually don’t need any previous experience or a specific skill set for this type of work.
Moreover, many hostel jobs are fun, super easy to do, and a great way to make friends with other backpackers.
However, most hostel jobs are on a work for accommodation basis.
This means you won’t get paid for this work, but you can stay there for free. Often, the agreement includes other benefits, such as free food or free bicycle/motorcycle usage.
As you are probably already staying in hostels, and considering the pricey accommodation in Europe, working for accommodation can be a pretty good exchange.
You can sign up for Worldpackers to easily find hostel jobs in Europe.
Learn more about this work-exchange platform by reading our Worldpackers review.
So, what does working in a hostel entail? Every hostel differs, but the most common hostel jobs will be cleaning the dorms and common areas, working on reception, or organizing and running the hostel’s activities.
Other tasks may include picking up and dropping off guests at the airport or bus station.
You’ll thrive working in a hostel if you love to party and meet new people. They’re usually looking for someone to organize drinking games and take the guests out on bar crawls.
However, working in a hostel may not be for you if you crave your own space or prefer a peaceful environment. You will have to share a dorm with other volunteers, and likely won’t get much sleep!
2. Bartending
Aside from working in a hostel, bartending is one of Europe’s most popular backpacking jobs. If you have previous experience working in a bar, your chances of nabbing a bar job are high.
However, even if you’ve never pulled a pint before, touristic hotspots in Europe, such as Malaga, Crete, and Gran Canaria, are desperate for bar staff in high season.
The best way to secure a bar job is to be proactive. Walk into bars and ask if they need staff. Be sure to time it right, though, as managers hate it when people come in with their CVs when the bar is full.
By visiting early before the rush, you’ll more likely get to speak directly with the boss, significantly increasing your chances of getting hired on the spot.
If you get a job in a bar during high season, expect to work and play hard. Bar work can be manic and stressful, but it can also be super fun.
Moreover, when you return home, it’s a great way to learn how to make cocktails and impress your friends with your wine knowledge!
If you’re not confident working behind a bar, don’t despair.
PSSST. Want to get FREE accommodation in exchange for work?
If you're traveling on a budget or want to save and extend your trip, this could be exactly what you’re looking for. Worldpackers is a platform that connects travelers like you with hosts. It’s just like volunteer work –exchange your skills for free accommodation. SAVE $10 using my discount code. Learn more about how it works here.Most establishments also hire staff to collect glasses, wait on tables, or greet customers at the door as a host.
3. Working As An Aupair
If serving drunk backpackers is not your cup of tea, you could try something completely different.
Working as an au pair is one of the best jobs in Europe for travelers who want to experience a European country’s life and culture.
As an au pair, you will typically stay with a host family and help them out with childcare and some housework. Many people love to get jobs with accommodation.
Many families welcome au pairs from the USA, Canada, Australia, and other English-speaking countries so their children can learn English.
With most au pair jobs, you get free accommodation, food, and usually a small wage to cover your other expenses.
As you would expect, this job could either be a wonderful experience or a terrible one, depending on your host family and their expectations.
However, there are some well-trusted websites where you can find placements, such as aupair.com or Worldpackers.
Using a reputable site like this helps you know what to expect in terms of salary, duration, and requirements, and you can choose the one that suits you best.
4. Farm Work
Although not for everyone, working on a farm is one of the most common jobs in Europe for backpackers. During summertime, farms in Mediterranean countries like Italy or Spain need extra help.
Knowing there is a flux of backpackers in Europe during these months, they seek travelers looking for a place to stay.
Like hostels, many farm jobs are volunteer roles where you get free accommodation in exchange for work. You’ll be asked to help to harvest whatever the farm grows.
Usually, it’s fruit or vegetables of some kind, but there are also many vineyards in Europe requiring help too!
Working on a farm is a great way to connect to nature, eat wholesome food, and build meaningful connections with other volunteers.
If you like the quiet life or want to slow down from the wild antics of backpacking, a farm job could be an ideal solution for you.
Even so, it’s not a glamorous job. It can be strenuous, physical, and long working hours in the sun.
As with Au Pairing, it’s best to use a reputable website like Worldpackers when searching for farm jobs to ensure you receive a good deal and avoid exploitation.
5. Holiday Rep
A great way to fund a summer away is to work as a holiday entertainer in a hotel or resort. You’ll likely have to go to the most touristy beach towns for this type of work, such as Benidorm or Tenerife.
You won’t have a quiet summer, but you will undoubtedly have a memorable one.
If you’re extroverted by nature and love to meet people, working as a holiday rep is a great way to spend a summer backpacking and working in Europe.
You could be tasked with keeping the children entertained or the adults as a holiday entertainer. Both can be a super fun job but a very challenging one too, as it’s essentially down to you to keep the guests happy.
Resorts typically hire their seasonal staff a few months before the start of the summer, so it’s not a job you can pick up on the fly.
The application process usually involves applying online beforehand, so if you want to be a holiday rep, you’ll need to plan ahead.
You’ll get a proper wage though, and will be free to choose your own accommodation rather than share a room.
6. Working In A Ski Resort In Europe
Who said you could only visit Europe in the Summer? Backpacking around Europe in the winter can be a magical experience despite the cold weather.
For sure, the biggest highlight of being in Europe in the winter is skiing.
Ski resorts in Switzerland, Austria, France, and Northern Italy hire seasonal staff to help them through the ski season.
While you will need qualifications to work as an instructor, many chalets will hire keen travelers to help look after the guests.
Duties include cooking, cleaning, and hosting, and you’ll receive a wage and free accommodation.
Working in a ski resort is a unique way to gain some hospitality and customer service skills while spending your free time learning how to ski on the slopes.
In fact, it’s one of the most popular winter jobs for backpackers and expats.
Because chalets can get busy during the high season, working at a ski resort is another job that will require you to work hard.
Moreover, getting a job here is not as easy as finding bar or hostel work.
However, if you’re an avid skier and love the snow, it’s certainly worth the extra effort as working a ski season is a brilliant way to travel and work in Europe.
Final Thoughts On Backpacker Jobs In Europe
If you’re planning to travel and work in Europe, check the visa requirements for your nationality beforehand. This is because some countries require a work visa, whereas others do not.
As you can see, there are various types of backpacker jobs in Europe. Consider the kind of work you enjoy most and the environment where you would be happiest.
Finding jobs in Europe for travelers can be easy if you’re okay with work exchange positions.
Otherwise, it can be more challenging.
But don’t be afraid to take a chance, for backpacking and working in Europe is an experience of a lifetime!
That said, if you just want to stay longer and are ready to volunteer in exchange for work, make sure to read our guide to finding volunteer work near me.
And if you are undecided about whether backpacking is for you or not, you can take explore backpacking pros and cons.
Want to learn more about working in exchange for accommodation? Read one of the following blog posts:
