Germany Working Holiday for Chileans (2026)

Age when applying

You must be 18–30 when applying. Age is only an initial check; passport, funds and previous-participation conditions also apply.

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Chilean passport

This guide covers Chilean citizenship. Santiago’s checklist requires at least a year of passport validity and two completely blank pages when applying, plus the original and a plain copy. Plan for a passport covering the whole trip; tourist entry does not authorize starting work.

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German for the visa

The checklist asks for an individual one-page motivation letter and CV in German. It does not list a mandatory language test. Write about your own plans rather than copying a letter online. Schools and employers may set different language expectations.

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Other requirements

Prepare the application form, biometric photo, your own motivation letter and German CV. Accommodation evidence is a three-month hotel reservation, signed invitation or extra funds. Previous German Working Holiday participation is excluded. Santiago’s checklist excludes dependants; the agreement mentions an exception for those with their own permit. Confirm that situation separately.

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Annual quota

The consulted sources do not establish a Chile annual quota in this research. That does not mean unlimited places or a guaranteed appointment. Check official channels.

Application dates

General guidance does not accept applications more than 90 days before planned arrival. Book the Visa Working Holiday category online and attend in person. An appointment is not approval. No next annual opening is established here.

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Visa cost

Pay when applying: exact cash in Chilean pesos or Visa/Mastercard credit, not debit. The credit-card holder must attend and the card must meet the embassy’s stated format. Insurance, travel, certificates and courses are additional.

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Decision timing

The program page indicates approximately three weeks. This is guidance, not a guarantee, and excludes time to get an appointment or prepare documents. Avoid firm financial commitments based solely on that estimate.

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How to prepare your application

1. Read Santiago’s Working Holiday checklist and prepare early: funds must meet the holding-period condition. Prepare your own motivation letter and German CV.
2. Use the embassy’s website to book the Visa Working Holiday category online. General guidance allows submission no more than 90 days before planned arrival; an appointment does not guarantee a visa.
3. Complete the indicated form and attend in person with passport, photo, evidence and payment. Confirm flight documentation before non-refundable spending. Do not upload documents to this site.
4. Wait for the official decision and check names, dates and conditions when collecting the visa. Plan travel around the validity actually granted.

An appointment is not a visa approval. Check the embassy’s instructions before making firm financial commitments.

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Length of stay

The agreement provides a year from the start of permit or visa validity. Check the dates printed on the approved document before booking; the year does not automatically start whenever you choose to travel.

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Funds for your stay

Show EUR 1,326 in your own account held for 90 days before applying, with a statement identifying you and the bank’s original signature and stamp. German, Spanish or English is accepted. Third-party funding, mutual funds and term deposits are excluded. A one-way ticket requires another EUR 1,200; without a three-month hotel reservation or signed invitation, the checklist offers an additional EUR 1,140. These are separate items, not a full trip budget.

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Insurance throughout your stay

Prepare medical and accident insurance for the entire stay, with at least EUR 30,000 cover and medical and remains repatriation. Check exclusions and dates; the product’s name alone is insufficient.

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Flights and return travel

The Working Holiday checklist asks for return travel, or one-way travel plus EUR 1,200, and recommends buying after booking an appointment. General guidance says not to reserve before approval. Because these instructions differ, prepare funds and confirm acceptable evidence before a non-refundable purchase. An appointment is not an approved visa.

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Working during the stay

The limit is per employer, not six months of work in total. Official Chile-specific guidance allows continuing with other employers for the remaining visa time, full-time or part-time. The main purpose remains a holiday and cultural experience, with work to supplement funds.

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German or other study

The Working Holiday guide permits a German course. No numeric duration limit or degree-study permission has been established here. Confirm that your course fits the visa before paying. A course guarantees neither a visa nor a job.

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Arrival formalities and conditions

1. Check visa conditions

   Check validity and printed work conditions before employment. Address registration does not replace the Working Holiday visa or expand its duration or conditions.

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2. Check registration of your address

   When moving into a residence the general rule requires registration within two weeks of moving in. Temporary-stay exceptions exist, including for people otherwise living abroad: confirm with the local office which applies to your accommodation and duration.

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3. Obtain housing-provider confirmation

   Request the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung from the housing provider. If it is not supplied in time notify the registration office without delay; do not use an address where you neither live nor intend to live.

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4. Keep the registration confirmation

   Keep the registration confirmation and ask about other local procedures for your case. Track visa validity and this guide’s employment limits separately; an address certificate does not change them.

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