The Alps run a substantial seasonal workforce every winter and summer, and Australian and New Zealand workers are a well-established part of it. The pathway is more straightforward than many expect - particularly for France, where the working holiday visa has no quota and can be renewed for a second year.
This guide covers the practical steps for AU and NZ passport holders. Over 31? There are routes - the guide includes a dedicated section.
Which country is most accessible for your passport
| Nationality | France | Austria | Switzerland | Italy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian | WHV (under 31, renewable) | Working Holiday (under 31) | No WHV; employer quota only | No WHV; Decreto Flussi |
| New Zealand | WHV (under 31, renewable) | Working Holiday (under 31) | No WHV; employer quota only | No WHV; Decreto Flussi |
France is the recommended starting point. No quota, no job offer required, renewable for a second year, and the largest Alpine resort network in the world.
France: the most accessible route
The French Working Holiday Visa (Programme Vacances Travail / PVT)
The French WHV allows citizens of 35+ eligible countries to live and work in France for 12 months. For Australians and New Zealanders, it is renewable once (24 months total). The key advantages over other Alpine countries:
- No job offer required before applying
- No quota: applications are not capped annually
- No employer sponsorship required: you can secure a job before leaving home or look for work after arriving - both are common
- Freedom: you can work for different employers; the only restriction is a maximum of 6 months with a single employer (designed to prevent it becoming a standard work visa, not to prevent seasonal work)
Eligibility
- Age limit at the time of application (not at arrival): under 31 (i.e. up to and including 30)
- Valid passport, proof of sufficient funds (typically EUR 2,500), return flight or funds to purchase one, no criminal record
How to apply
- Create an account on the France Visas portal
- Select "Long Stay" → "Working Holiday" for your nationality
- Complete the form, upload documents (passport scan, proof of funds, passport photo, accommodation plan if available)
- Book an appointment at the French consulate or visa application centre in your home country
- Attend the appointment with originals of all uploaded documents
- Visa processing: typically 4-8 weeks (apply well ahead of your planned arrival)
Fee: approximately EUR 50-100. The French consulates in Sydney and Auckland both process these routinely.
After arrival: register with local authorities as required (see the work permits guide for country-specific registration details). For stays over 3 months, you will need a French residence registration.
Renewing for a second year
Australians and New Zealanders can apply for a second WHV before their first expires. The second year application must be submitted at a French consulate (not inside France). You need to have worked a minimum number of days in a qualifying sector during your first year. The exact requirements - eligible sectors and minimum days - are published by the French consulate in your home country. Check these before applying, as criteria can change.
Finding work in French resorts
Most French resort employers expect workers to arrive and start within France, given the absence of a sponsorship requirement. The main hiring window for winter is August to October. Summer season hiring is February to April.
Chamonix, Val d'Isère, Méribel, Courchevel, Morzine and Les Gets all have established communities of Australian and New Zealand workers. English is widely spoken in resort settings and many employers actively recruit English speakers for front-of-house and service roles.
Austria: the second option
Austria has working holiday agreements with Australia and New Zealand (age limits apply - verify with the Austrian embassy before applying).
Key differences from France
- Job offer may be required at some Austrian consulates - this varies by processing post. Some applicants succeed without one; others are asked to demonstrate an employment arrangement.
- Proof of funds: approximately EUR 3,000 at time of application
- Accommodation plan: some consulates ask for evidence of where you will stay initially
The Austrian Working Holiday permits work in all sectors including hospitality and tourism. The main Alpine resort regions are Tirol (Kitzbühel, Innsbruck area, Mayrhofen, Ischgl) and Vorarlberg (Lech, Zürs). These resorts have smaller international worker communities than French counterparts but are not exclusively German-speaking - English is standard in resort settings.
Wages in Austria are higher than France in EUR terms (EUR 1,950/month entry-level vs EUR 1,820 in France) but lower than Switzerland. See the salary guide for a full breakdown.
Switzerland: high pay, hard access
Switzerland does not have a working holiday visa for any nationality. Access for non-EU seasonal workers is through the L-permit system, which requires:
- A confirmed job offer from a Swiss employer
- The employer to demonstrate they could not fill the role with an EU/EEA applicant (genuinely enforced, not just paperwork)
- A federal quota slot - approximately 4,500 non-EU seasonal permits issued nationally across all sectors in 2025
The quota constraint is the binding one. Swiss employers who regularly hire international workers manage their quota allocations carefully. The path in is through an employer, not a consulate - find an employer willing to sponsor you, and they navigate the permit system on your behalf.
Swiss wages make the effort worthwhile: CHF 3,900/month entry-level vs EUR 1,820 in France. A six-month Swiss season nets materially more than a comparable season elsewhere. The mandatory health insurance (CHF 320-500+/month, from day one) takes a noticeable bite out of net pay - the Swiss advantage over France remains substantial. See the Alpine Seasonal Work Report 2026 for a net income comparison.
Verbier has a notably large Australian community because of historical employer relationships and the resort's English-speaking culture. Workers already in Switzerland on a permit, or with prior employer contacts, tend to return season after season.
Italy: possible but competitive
Italy's non-EU access route - the Decreto Flussi - opens on a fixed date each year (typically February or March) and is oversubscribed within hours. Workers without a pre-existing Italian employer relationship are unlikely to secure a slot.
If you have an employer contact in Italy who is willing to file on your behalf, it is worth tracking the annual opening date at lavoro.gov.it. The Dolomites (Cortina, Val Gardena, Alta Badia) and Livigno have international resort operations that have successfully sponsored non-EU workers in past years.
Over 31? These routes remain open
The working holiday visas for Australia and New Zealand apply up to and including age 30. If you are older, you cannot use the WHV - but that does not make an Alps season impossible. The following routes are open regardless of age:
- France: A long-stay employment visa is possible with a confirmed job offer from a French employer. The employer files the paperwork; you need documented proof of the employment arrangement.
- Switzerland: The Swiss L-permit system has no age limit. Swiss employers can sponsor non-EU seasonal workers of any age - the route is through a confirmed job offer and a quota slot.
- Austria: The Beschäftigungsbewilligung (employment permit) is employer-dependent and not age-restricted. Austrian employers can hire non-EU workers without a WHV requirement.
The recommended approach: target employers who explicitly hire international staff - particularly those with a track record of non-EU sponsorship. The Swiss route offers the best conditions but requires a sponsor. Lead time for sponsored permits is 8-16 weeks - apply early.
Practical considerations
Health insurance
This is the single most important non-visa preparation. As a non-EU citizen, you have no reciprocal health cover in any Alpine country. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) does not apply to you.
- Switzerland: health insurance is mandatory by law from your first day in the country. You must arrange a Swiss Krankenkasse policy immediately on arrival. For the gap between arrival and your first paycheck, options like SafetyWing can cover you on a monthly basis with no minimum commitment.
- France, Austria, Italy: employer contracts in hospitality register you into the national social insurance system, which includes health cover. The gap period - between arrival and contract start - leaves you uncovered. Options like World Nomads are designed for exactly this gap and cover mountain sports specifically, which is relevant if you ski or hike before work starts.
Even after your work contract begins, check what recreational activities your employer cover includes. Mountain rescue is not automatic in all plans.
Banking from home
Open a Wise or Revolut account before leaving home. Both support CHF and EUR with mid-market exchange rates, giving you a way to receive and hold European currency before a local bank account is set up.
For opening local bank accounts once you arrive, see the banking guide.
Driving
An Australian or New Zealand driving licence is generally valid for 12 months in European Alpine countries. An International Driving Permit (IDP), obtained from your national motoring association before departure (approximately AUD 30 or NZD 35), removes any ambiguity in Switzerland and Austria and is recommended.
A Swiss Motorway Vignette (CHF 40/year) is required if you drive on Swiss motorways.
Tax back home
Working abroad on a WHV typically results in non-resident tax treatment in Australia and New Zealand:
- Australia: non-residents pay a flat 32.5% on Australian-sourced income and are generally not entitled to the tax-free threshold. Income earned abroad is usually not taxable in Australia. Consider whether your Australian bank account or superannuation fund needs any notifications.
- New Zealand: similar non-resident withholding tax treatment. KiwiSaver contributions stop while you are abroad.
In the Alpine country where you work, you pay local income tax. See the tax refund guide - most seasonal workers are entitled to a refund of income tax paid in Austria and France.
The community
Chamonix has the most internationally diverse worker population in the Alps. English is the de facto language of the international staff community. Australian and New Zealand workers are a visible presence in the resort's hospitality and outdoor guiding sectors. The Mont Blanc Unlimited ski pass covers a large connected area, and the surrounding mountains attract serious climbers and alpinists - the outdoor culture is strong.
Val d'Isère is popular with Australian, New Zealand and South African workers in ski instruction and hospitality. The resort has a reputation for a strong après-ski scene and an active international staff social life.
Morzine and Les Gets (Portes du Soleil area) have a large English-speaking worker population, partly because of the mountain biking scene in summer. Less formal than Val d'Isère, more community feel. Popular with workers doing a first season.
Kitzbühel (Austria) has a smaller but established international worker community. More German-language integration required than in French resorts, but wages are slightly higher.
Useful links
- French WHV portal: france-visas.gouv.fr
- Austrian Working Holiday information: bmeia.gv.at
- Switzerland L-permit (seasonal workers): sem.admin.ch
- Work permits across all Alpine countries: full permits guide
- Wage comparison by country: salary guide
- Net income data: Alpine Seasonal Work Report 2026
- Health insurance for non-EU workers: health insurance guide
Partner disclosures
SafetyWing: We receive a commission when you purchase a SafetyWing plan via this link. We do not represent SafetyWing. This is not a recommendation to purchase travel insurance.
World Nomads: We receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.