A Canadian’s Guide to Traveling Europe on a Working Holiday

If you’re a Canadian planning a Working Holiday Visa Europe adventure, you’re likely asking: Can I travel to other countries while I’m there? The short answer is yes—but there are a few important details to know before booking your dream Euro-trips. We’re here to help you understand the Schengen Area so you can plan confidently.

Understanding the Schengen Area as a Canadian Citizen

The Schengen Area is a group of 25 European countries plus 4 non-EU countries (Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein) that have removed internal border controls. Once you enter one Schengen country, you can move freely between the others—no passport stamps or checks at each border.

Countries may temporarily reintroduce border controls during special circumstances, so always keep your passport on you just in case.

It’s important to note that being on a working holiday visa Schengen does not give you the right to work in all Schengen countries. Your work rights apply only to the country that issued your visa.

Popular Schengen countries include France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Austria, and the Netherlands. As a Canadian tourist, you can visit the 29 Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period outside the time spent in your Working Holiday destination.

So, if you’re doing a Working Holiday in France, you can travel to Spain, Germany, or Sweden on weekends without border checks—but you cannot work in those countries.

The Entry-Exit System (EES) and ETIAS

The EU is introducing the Entry-Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) to make Schengen travel safer and more efficient. These systems work similarly to Canada’s eTA or the U.S. ESTA.

Once fully operational, EES will automatically record all entries, exits, and overstays. For now, travellers must track their own days—overstaying as a Canadian may lead to fines, deportation, or future entry bans.

Use the official EU travel days calculator here.

Traveling Europe on a Working Holiday as a Canadian

When you receive your working holiday visa Schengen, it allows you to live and work in the specific country that approved your visa. So, canadians can saty for more than the regular 90 days, within a 180-day period.

But here’s the best part: you can travel Europe on a working holiday freely! Budget airlines, scenic rail routes, and cheap buses make it easy to explore dozens of countries during your time abroad.

Imagine enjoying tapas in Spain one weekend, hiking in Switzerland the next, and visiting friends in France the week after—all while your Working Holiday program continues in your home base country. This flexibility is one of the biggest benefits of a working holiday visa Europe experience.

However, keep two key rules in mind:

• Work rights only apply to your visa country.
  Example: Working Holiday Visa France = legal work in France only.
• Carry your passport and proof of residence when traveling.
  Even though internal borders are open, transport operators may ask for ID.

Any time spent in your Working Holiday country on its national visa does not subtract from your 90-day Schengen tourist allowance. This becomes especially helpful once your program ends and you want to continue traveling.

What About traveling to Non-Schengen Countries?

Europe includes several destinations that are not part of the Schengen Area. Entry rules for Canadians vary:

EU but not Schengen:

• Cyprus
• Ireland

Canadians can usually enter visa-free for short stays (typically up to 90 days), but entry is separate from Schengen rules.

Non-EU and non-Schengen countries:
Andorra, Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.

Most allow visa-free entry for Canadians for usually 30–90 days, but always check the latest requirements since border rules can change.

Remember: Time in non-Schengen countries does not count toward your 90-day Schengen limit. Perfect for planning future trips or extending your European exploration after your Working Holiday.

Example: Canadians are required to have an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the United Kingdom. You must apply before travelling, using the same passport you will travel with. You can travel to the United Kingdom as many times as you want during that time. If you get a new passport, you will need to apply for a new ETA.