A working holiday in Taiwan lets you live and work in the country for up to one year. If you are a German citizen between 18 and 30 years old, you can apply for a working holiday visa for Taiwan. This guide shows which documents the visa requires, what it costs, and why you should clarify your health insurance separately.
Short answer: German citizens aged 18 to 30 can apply for a working holiday visa for Taiwan. According to the guideline of the Taiwanese authority, the application costs 100 US dollars, you must prove at least 2,000 euros for the initial period, and accident and health insurance for the entire stay is mandatory. Status: October 2026, source: guideline of 30 May 2024.
The Most Important Points at a Glance
- Applicants must be German citizens who are between 18 and 30 years old at the time of application.
- The visa fee is 100 US dollars and is not refunded even if the application is rejected.
- You must prove funds of at least 2,000 euros for the initial period.
- Accident and health insurance with hospital cover and repatriation must be in place for the entire length of the stay.
- The visa is valid for one year, each entry allows up to 180 days, and one extension of up to 180 days is possible.
Who May Apply for a Working Holiday Visa for Taiwan?
The guideline of the Taiwanese authority names several requirements. At the time of application you must be between 18 and 30 years old, and hold a German passport that is valid for at least twelve months beyond your date of entry. You must also not have taken part in the working holiday program between Germany and Taiwan before. The stay must be mainly a longer holiday.
The guideline does not provide for accompaniment by a spouse, children, other dependants or a guardian.
Which Documents Do You Need, and Where Do You Apply?
You complete the application in the online system. There you enter a length of stay of 1 to 180 days and select the purpose “Working Holiday (Youth Mobility)”. The application is lodged at the Taiwanese missions in Berlin, Hamburg, Munich or Frankfurt am Main. Before your appointment, check on the website of the mission which office is responsible for your place of residence and whether an appointment is required.
| Document | Requirement according to the guideline |
|---|---|
| Passport | German passport, valid for at least twelve months beyond the date of entry |
| Passport photos | Two colour photos in the format 2 x 2 inches, not older than six months |
| Visa fee | 100 US dollars, paid in the currency accepted by the responsible mission |
| Flight proof | Ticket to Taiwan or proof that you can book one, plus a return or onward flight, or the funds to buy one |
| Proof of funds | At least 2,000 euros for the initial period |
| Health insurance | Accident and health insurance for the entire stay, with hospital services and repatriation |
| Other documents | The mission may request further documents or set an appointment |
The guideline does not require a criminal record certificate or a medical certificate of health. Whether the mission requests additional proof in an individual case, you learn only from the mission itself.
What Does a Working Holiday in Taiwan Cost?
The visa fee is the only amount the guideline states explicitly. The euro amount depends on the daily exchange rate and on the currency in which the mission accepts the fee. Flights, accommodation, insurance and living costs are not stated, because they depend heavily on your route and provider.
| Item | Amount | Status and source |
|---|---|---|
| Visa fee | 100 US dollars, not refundable | Guideline of 30 May 2024 |
| Proof of living costs | At least 2,000 euros | Guideline of 30 May 2024 |
| Validity of the visa | One year from issue | Guideline of 30 May 2024 |
| Stay per entry | Up to 180 days | Guideline of 30 May 2024 |
| Extension | Once, by up to 180 days | Guideline of 30 May 2024 |
| Flights, accommodation, insurance | Not stated | Ask the provider |
Example calculation (assumption): you stay the full 180 days in one entry. The visa fee is then due once, and the proof of 2,000 euros covers only the initial period.
Which Health Insurance Does Taiwan Require?
The guideline requires valid accident and health insurance for the entire length of the stay. It must cover hospital stays and repatriation. Whether a particular contract meets this requirement, you check against its service description. Separately from this, your statutory health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) in Germany pays according to section 13 (1) of the Social Code Book V (SGB V) only where the law provides for it. Cost reimbursement for providers abroad under section 13 (4) SGB V is limited to EU and EEA states and Switzerland. Taiwan is not one of them. How your insurer pays in your case, only the insurer can tell you. More background is in health insurance abroad: what you need to know as a student (in German).
What Are You Allowed to Work in Taiwan?
The visa counts as a work permit, so no separate permit is required. However, work must take second place to the holiday purpose, and you must comply with Taiwanese law. The main limits in the guideline are:
- With the same employer you may work for no longer than three months.
- Specialised or technical activities require recognised qualifications in Taiwan and, where applicable, a prescribed registration.
- Income tax is withheld under the Taiwanese Income Tax Act.
- Vocational training is limited to six months.
- After entry, you cannot change the purpose of the visa.
How Long May You Stay, and Can You Extend?
The visa is valid for one year from issue and allows any number of entries within that year. Each stay lasts at most 180 days. You may extend once by up to 180 days. The application is made at an office of the National Immigration Agency within the last 15 days before your 180 days end.
The total period from your first entry may not exceed one year. After that you can neither extend the visa nor convert it into another type of stay. If you leave Taiwan after the visa has expired, you cannot re-enter with it.
What Happens After the Working Holiday?
Plan your return in good time. Ask your health insurer what the stay abroad means for your membership, and clarify whether you need new cover after your return. More on this is in Health Insurance Abroad: What Applies to Long Stays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I extend the visa?
Yes, once, by up to 180 days. The application is made to the National Immigration Agency and must be lodged in the last 15 days before the 180 days end. The total period from the first entry may not exceed one year.
Do I need insurance although I am insured in Germany?
For the visa, yes. The guideline requires accident and health insurance for the entire length of the stay. Whether your German insurer pays abroad is a separate question, because cost reimbursement outside the EU and EEA is possible only in the cases provided for by law.
How much money do I have to prove?
The guideline names at least 2,000 euros for the initial period. This is a lower limit for the application and does not necessarily suffice for a longer stay. Plan your budget according to your actual spending, not according to the minimum proof.
Can I take part in the program a second time?
No. The guideline excludes applicants who have already taken part in the working holiday program between Germany and Taiwan.
What to Do Now
- Check that you are between 18 and 30 years old and that your passport is valid for at least twelve months beyond the date of entry.
- Ask your health insurer in writing which services apply abroad.
- Compare insurance policies by their service description, validity period and repatriation, and only take out a contract that meets the requirements of the guideline.
- Clarify the appointment and document situation with the responsible mission in Berlin, Hamburg, Munich or Frankfurt am Main, and apply with enough lead time.
- Plan your return and the insurance cover afterwards before your visa expires.
Related Articles
- Health insurance abroad: what you need to know as a student (in German)
- Health Insurance Abroad: What Applies to Long Stays
- Health insurance during an internship abroad (in German)
- Master’s Degree Abroad: Countries, Applications and Costs
Sources: Bureau of Consular Affairs Taiwan, guideline for German citizens (working holiday), created and updated 30 May 2024, retrieved October 2026; section 13 SGB V, gesetze-im-internet.de (retrieved 26 October 2026).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information and not individual advice.
