Can I afford a working holiday?
Often, yes — and in the best places the trip pays for itself. Working full-time at the local minimum wage, the top destinations for saving are Denmark, Australia, Netherlands, where pay clears frugal living costs with roughly kr 9,844/month to spare in Denmark. Pick your destination and hours below to see your own numbers, in any currency.
Pick a destination to see whether the local pay covers the local cost of living.
How this works
Earnings, honestly
We use each country's current statutory minimum wage — or, where there's no legal minimum (Denmark, Norway and a few others), typical entry-level hospitality pay — from official sources, shown in the destination's own currency or any you pick. Pay is gross, before tax.
Costs, from real price data
Living costs start from the World Bank price index for each country and a frugal-but-real weekly baseline — then you nudge the spend to match how you'd actually live. No crowdsourced guesses.
What's not included
Your visa fee, proof-of-funds and flights sit on top — check those in the visa checker. Income tax varies by country; many working holidaymakers reclaim some on leaving.
Common questions
Can a working holiday pay for itself?
In many destinations, yes. Working full-time (about 38 hours a week) at the local minimum wage, the best countries for saving are Denmark, Australia, Netherlands — where local pay comfortably clears frugal living costs, leaving roughly kr 9,844 a month spare in Denmark. Cheaper destinations can still leave less over if wages are low, which is exactly why this tool weighs the two together — in whatever currency you choose.
How much money do I need to start a working holiday?
Two things sit on top of your living costs: the visa itself (most working-holiday visas cost roughly US$200–650) and proof of funds — many countries require you to show around US$3,000–6,500 in savings before they'll grant the visa, plus a flight home or the money for one. Budget your first month's rent and food before your first pay lands, too. Our visa checker lists the exact fee and funds requirement for your passport.
How much can you earn on a working holiday in Australia?
Australia's minimum wage is about A$26.44/hour, among the highest in the world, and casual hospitality and farm work adds a 25% loading on top. At 38 hours a week that's over A$1,005 before tax — which is why Australia is a classic "the trip pays for itself" destination despite living costs near the top of the range.
Which working holiday destination lets you save the most?
On our numbers — local minimum wage minus frugal local living costs, full-time — the top three for saving are 1. Denmark (≈kr 9,844/month spare), 2. Australia (≈A$1,641/month spare), 3. Netherlands (≈€947/month spare). High-wage countries win even when they're not cheap, because what you earn matters more than what you spend once you're working.
Where do these numbers come from?
Living costs are the World Bank's Price Level Index (household consumption), scaled from a transparent weekly baseline you can adjust, and shown in your chosen currency. Wages are each country's current statutory minimum (or, where there's no legal minimum, typical entry-level hospitality pay), from official government sources, with mid-market currency conversions from July 2026. Everything is an honest estimate for living costs versus local pay — your visa, flights and tax are separate.
Living costs: World Bank — Price Level Index (household consumption), International Comparison Program (CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)). Wages: official government sources; currency conversions indicative at mid-market rates, July 2026. Estimates for guidance only — confirm current wages, tax and visa rules before you commit.