This is one of the most common questions we get at our recruitment agency get-talent.eu in Europe. You’re an engineer from outside the EU, and you think, “I’ll just fly to Berlin or Paris on a 90-day tourist visa (a Schengen C-type visa) and find a job. Once I get an offer, I’ll start working.”
Stop. This is a bad idea that can lead to serious trouble.
The answer to this question is a very careful “yes, but…” It’s a huge legal grey area, and you need to know the risks.
The “Yes” Part: Can You Interview?
Yes, you can. Attending a business meeting is a valid reason to be in the Schengen area on a tourist visa. A job interview is a business meeting. You are not “working.” You are not being paid. You are legally allowed to fly to Berlin, attend 10 in-person interviews, and fly home.
The “No” Part: Can You Work?
ABSOLUTELY NOT. Not even for one day. Not for a “paid trial.” Working on a tourist visa is illegal, will get you deported, and will likely get you banned from re-entering the EU for years.
The Big Problem: The “Switch”
Here’s the trap. You succeed! You get a great offer from a startup for one of the jobs in Germany.
You cannot “switch” your tourist visa to a work permit from inside Germany.
The standard process for 99% of non-EU nationals is:
- You get a job offer (the contract).
- You must return to your home country (or country of residence).
- You apply for the correct National (D-type) work visa from the German embassy in your home country.
- You wait 4-12 weeks for approval.
- You fly back to Germany, start your job, and get your residence permit.
That 90-day trip? It just got you an offer, but you still have to leave.
The Right Way: The Job Seeker Visa
The “grey area” above is what most people think they have to do. The right way is to apply for a Job Seeker Visa.
Many EU countries, most famously Germany, offer a “Job Seeker Visa”.
- What it is: A long-term (e.g., 6-month) visa specifically for highly-skilled professionals to come to Germany to find a job.
- The Benefit: It’s 100% legal. It shows recruiters you are serious.
- The Magic Benefit: If you find a job while on this visa, you can often “switch” it to a work-based residence permit without leaving Germany. This is the game-changer.
So, Should You Come on a Tourist Visa to Job Hunt?
| Method | Can You Interview? | Can You Work? | Can You Switch Visa in the EU? |
| Schengen Tourist Visa | Yes (Grey Area) | NO (Illegal) | NO (Must return home) |
| Job Seeker Visa | Yes (100% Legal) | NO (Illegal) | YES (This is the point) |
Our advice: Don’t bother with the tourist visa “trick.”
In 2025, 99% of first-round interviews for jobs in the EU are done via video call. A good staffing agency in the EU can get you 10 video interviews. You don’t need to fly anywhere until you have a serious offer, at which point the company will often help with the proper visa process.
Focus on getting a German Job Seeker Visa, or apply remotely. It’s safer, cheaper, and far more professional.
References
- European Commission: Schengen Visa Information
- Make it in Germany (Official German Govt. Portal): Visa for jobseekers
- I Am Expat (Germany): German Job Seeker Visa