The question of budget is one of the first that students ask before a Work and Travel stay. However, there is no universal sum, because every country requires its own proof. Using Australia as an example, this guide shows which amounts the German Embassy in Canberra gives, and how you plan the other items for your country.
Short answer: The requirements differ by country, so there is no standard amount. For the Australian working holiday visa, the German Embassy in Canberra names proof of 2,466 euros for the first three months, plus a fee of 75 euros and health insurance with at least 30,000 euros of cover. Last updated: November 2026. The page names a change from 1 October 2026.
The most important points
- The requirements are specific to each country, so no single flat amount works for every destination.
- For Australia the embassy requires proof of 2,466 euros for the first three months.
- According to the page, a fee of 75 euros and health insurance with at least 30,000 euros of cover also apply.
- Anyone entering without accommodation and a return ticket must, according to the page, prove 3,966 euros.
- For other countries, build your budget from the information of the responsible mission.
Why there is no standard amount
Flights, visas, accommodation and living costs differ from country to country, and the proof requirements differ too. A single flat sum would therefore mislead. We start with a concrete example from an official source and then show which items you check for each country.
What does the embassy require for Australia?
The German Embassy in Canberra describes the proof requirements on its page for the working holiday visa. The table below takes over the details of that page. The page names a change from 1 October 2026, so check before you apply whether the amounts have changed since then.
| Proof | Amount according to the page |
|---|---|
| Accommodation per month (first three months) | 380 euros |
| Living costs per month (first three months) | 442 euros |
| Total for the first three months | 2,466 euros |
| Entry without accommodation and return ticket | 3,966 euros |
| Additionally without a flight ticket | 1,500 euros |
| Fee | 75 euros |
| Health insurance, minimum cover | 30,000 euros |
The page gives the amounts in euros and mentions an equivalent in Australian dollars. The sum for the first three months follows from accommodation and living costs: 380 plus 442 euros, multiplied by three months, which gives 2,466 euros.
Calculation example (assumption): you enter without fixed accommodation and without a return ticket. According to the page, the figure of 3,966 euros then applies, and the fee of 75 euros is an additional payment.
Which items do you check for each country?
Whatever the destination, the same cost blocks appear. The table shows where you find the amounts. Only enter figures into your plan once you have them from an official source or a written offer.
| Item | Where the figure comes from |
|---|---|
| Visa and fee | Page of the responsible diplomatic mission |
| Financial proof | Page of the mission, as in the Australian example |
| Health insurance | Offer from the insurer with the minimum cover stated |
| Flight | Booking offer for the planned departure date |
| Accommodation in the first weeks | Offers from landlords or hostels |
| Living costs | Your own calculation based on the offers |
| Reserve for times without pay | Your own decision |
How do you build your own budget?
A budget comes together in three steps. First you collect the official proof requirements for your destination country. Then you add offers for flights, insurance and accommodation. Finally you set a reserve and check whether you can prove the total.
Make sure the reserve is enough even if the first pay cheque arrives later than expected. How high it should be depends on location, accommodation and your lifestyle, which is why we do not name a flat sum here. Plan a buffer for unexpected costs, for example a repair to your luggage or an unplanned doctor’s bill.
If you combine several countries in one trip, calculate each leg separately with its own requirements. The rules of one country do not replace those of another. Create a separate table for each destination and note the source, the date and the date you accessed it. That way you can see later which information is still current.
For Australia, the amounts are stated in euros, while the proof can be provided in Australian dollars. Convert the amount at the time of your application, because exchange rates fluctuate. Build in a small safety margin so that a change in the rate does not push you below the limit.
Typical expenses before departure
Many costs arise before any money is earned. These include passport photos, fees for documents, advice on vaccinations, insurance and equipment. If you list these items early, you avoid shortages in the weeks before departure.
Transport to the airport, extra baggage beyond the allowance and basic clothing or household items often come on top. Each amount is small compared with the flight or accommodation, but they add up quickly. Enter them in a separate column of your plan.
Keeping the budget in view during your stay
A budget only helps if you check it regularly. Note your spending every week and compare it with your plan. If living costs turn out higher than expected, adjust early, for example on accommodation or travel.
Also keep an eye on exchange rates and fees for payments abroad. Ask your bank before departure which costs apply when you pay and withdraw cash. A small difference on each payment adds up over three months and is often overlooked in planning.
Frequently asked questions about the Work and Travel budget
Is the amount from the embassy enough for the whole stay?
The page names the amount for the first three months. For a longer stay you have to project living costs yourself and plan a reserve. The sum for the first three months is therefore only the starting point.
How do I prove the money?
The embassy page regulates which form of proof is accepted. Check there which documents are accepted before you collect bank statements. If in doubt, ask the embassy directly.
Does this also apply to other countries such as Canada or New Zealand?
No. The figures apply to the Australian working holiday visa. Other countries have their own proof requirements, which you check through the relevant mission. We do not transfer the figures from Australia to other countries.
Do I need health insurance that covers repatriation?
According to the page, you need insurance valid in Germany for the whole stay, with cover of at least 30,000 euros. The page says it must include repatriation costs and pandemics such as Covid-19. For longer stays, our guide to health insurance for long stays abroad helps.
How large should the reserve be?
We do not give a fixed figure, because it depends on location and lifestyle. Plan so that your spending is covered until the first pay. If you apply early, you also have time to compare offers.
So what should you do next?
- Check the current proof requirements for your country on the page of the responsible mission.
- Get offers for insurance and flights with the planned departure date.
- Set the reserve and check it against your accommodation situation.
- Keep the documents ready so that you can present them at the application at once.
Related articles
- Working Holiday Australia: visa, insurance and costs 2026
- Working Holiday Canada: visa, insurance and costs 2026
- Health insurance for long stays abroad: duration and cancellation
- Work and Travel: the overview of countries, visas and budget
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
