Hi. Two friends and I want to spend about 6 months living in Europe, specifically Italy and Spain with visits to Switzerland, France, and Portugal.

Is it at all possible for us to work simple jobs to earn a place to stay. We have little money and would rather work some to hold down a small place while we use our saved up cash to travel on weekends and such.

Will this work? We are open to almost any solution.

First question that pops to mind is visas.
If you are young enought to get one of those whv visas then hie thee over to thorn tree. They are the experts on those.

In case you don't know where to find the Thorn Tree, it is the forum at the Lonely Planet web site.

Good luck.

Hi - it can be done, under the table. If you do volunteer work then room, some board and sometimes even pocket money is included . . .

These guys are helpful:
http://www.eurotrip.com

For example, when I backpacked 'round Europe for 9 months in '92, a Scottish conservation site where I worked offered full room & board, plus 15pounds a week - great!

It will be difficult to pick up skilled work if you don't speak the lingo, though . . . HTH

I don't know how likely it is to find a position, but the company called AAFES operates tons of businesses on US military bases in Europe (mostly Germany). You might be flipping burgers or working the check out at the convenience store...but what the heck.
Just do a google search. I know they have an application process that can be done online.

Good luck in Switzerland! I`ve lived here 11 years and it`s almost impossible to find a job without having learned it in school!!!! Here you even go to school to learn to be a sales person!!!! Maybe a McDonalds would take you on but I agree that you first need to be able to speak the language.

A couple of aquantances are working ski slopes in Germany with AAFES as I type. Give it a try (although their contract was longer than 6 months - 11 or 12 from memory)

I started my stay in Europe this way and it is very rough. If you are willing to rent nasty flats, live in squats and work under the table it is possible. Remember you will be an illegal alien.

Au pair, cleaners, farm workers are all possible jobs which will allow you to survive, learn the language and have a wonderful adventure (usually w/es aren't free though). Make sure you continue your health insurance in your home country though; in France they will charge per service...

Bon chance and bon courage!