Best ways to make money abroad???

I'll be backpacking for about six months. I was hoping to earn a little money while away, but am not sure how realistic that is. I will have a laptop, a nice DSLR, and a good knowledge of photography and graphic design. I'm can also build some simple web sites. Does anyone have tips on earning a little extra while abroad, and perhaps better locations for earning?

Do some google searching on the Schengen Visa, or search this forum, and you'll find that if you're not a European citizen, you will be limited to 90 days in Schengen countries. That's the first thing you'll want to consider and make arrangements for.

Once you have that sorted, check out www.workingnomad.com or www.transitionsabroad.com.<BR><BR>Dave<BR>

and the 2nd thing is; discover YOUR nationality by looking in your passpt, though aove maks me believe youre not EU. that means the 90-day stay does NOT allow ANY paid work. and there are plenty of low-paid and willing to work east-Euro citizens BTW that can do same-same and are more likely to offer far better prospects for employes.
IF youre yond ang OZzie: ask aboyut the WHV as reciproke to what Ozieland offers
If youre US(Likely, as they are the 1s to assume0: YOUR contry also does not allow us to work, so expect the very same. and you make far better money by doing it at home anyway

Thank you.
I'm not EU an also am aware that I can't legally get a job in the EU. I'm more looking for advice on picking up "gigs" doing some web design or photography. Perhaps there are some good community pages similar to the US's craigslist I could scour. I've also heard rumors about getting paid to grade tests online. Anyone know about this?
Thanks for the advice!

LOL. Under the table web design or photography 'gigs'. You must be joking.

Look nomadiceye, you have very little chance of making any money while you travel. To make money even ilegally you need to sit still in a place for a while. A while being months, not days or weeks. Where do you plan to sit for months?

You have also ignored the Schengen comment above which restricts you to 90 days of your 6 months in all the Schengen countries combined. Assuming you spend the other 90 days in some non-Schengen E. European countries (even less of them after this December), it isn't likely you would find any worthwhile work in those countries where labour is cheap.

I suggest you realize that you can't expect to work during your trip and concentrate more on making sure you can legally be where you want to be re Schengen.

Why don't you do the sensible thing and earn the money BEFORE you travel - you'll be getting paid the market rate for the job, you won't be illegal and you won't have to worry about running out of money / finding a job.

And what happens when - sorry if - someone steals your laptop?

I'm sure you can make some money if you become a prostitute, otherwise no chance.

Try to get freelance work with a company in your home country. Webdesign and such stuff that you do on your laptop and then send them by mail / internet from wherever you are. That solves the visa problem.

I agree that you should just save some money first...it's quite difficult to work with travel. It's also quite stupid to leave without enough money...and if you do choose to partake in 'under the table money/employment', the sanctions may not be worth it. You can also look into obtaining a TEFL or TESOL certification, which will enable you to work in many parts of the world, teaching English. I'm assuming you are American, which will also give you an advantage, as native English speakers are preferred. As for the Schengen dilemma (if you do it shifty), you can always leave European Union countries. For example, if you are staying near/in Spain, catch a flight or Ferry to Morocco, and then you will have left the Eu.

Why do people dig out year old posts?

The comment re (if you do it shifty) and references to EU countries, sounds like you are under the impression that by leaving Spain for a few days you can then return to the Schengen countries for another 90 days. Schengen and the EU are not one and the same thing jess88 and it is 90 in 180 calendar days. You cannot just leave and then re-enter.

This is now a very, very old post but for future readers I think it's still worth responding too.

First of all, why was everyone so eager to rain on nomadiceye's parade? Seriously, half these posts sound like an angry mother berating her child for sticking their finger in the electrical socket (i.e. Doing or thinking something incredibly stupid).

Traveling and making money along the way IS possible.Obviously not nearly as much as a full or even part time job at home but probably enough extend your trip a bit or just not go home totally broke. This is especially possible if you're willing to take whatever job you can get. Some hostels may offer board in exchange for work and may even pay a small salary. You work only a few weeks or less but at least it's something and it's a great experience. Odd jobs are everywhere, you just have to ask and be willing to work. Freelance is also a possibility, the internet makes everything possible. Try websites like www.elance.com/ to get started. It may be slow at first so if you can it's good to get a little experience in the comfort and security of your own home before taking off. If anyone is interested in doing interesting or "alternative" work in exchange for room and board check out http://www.wwoof.org/ or http://www.workaway.info/

As for the Schengan permits, well... I don't think it's nearly as complicated as everyone's alluded. Of course there are restrictions but it's not like the Gestapo comes after you the second you reach your 90 days. If you're traveling within the Schengen states you won't be asked for any documentation when traveling between countries (its a little like traveling between states in the US). This is especially true if you're traveling by bus or even train though the risk goes up a bit if you're flying because you have to show your passport (state or national IDs can work but their airport attendants can choose not to accept it). If you're flying and someone chooses to look thoroughly through your passport and does the math then you can certainly be found out but it's unlikely they would do this. They're not looking for people backpacking, they're looking for people immigrating illegally and other "threats."

Schengan and EU are not the same but Spain IS part of both. Exiting to Morrocco is an option though I'd reccomend just staying within the Schengan states. I've known many people to exit and re-enter to renew their 90 days and while if often works in practice because you get a new stamp it's not technically a loophole. You have to be out of the Schengan states for a while before you get another 90 days. Getting "kicked out" or "found out" often just depends on the laziness of passport security on any given day. If you're just someone looking to backpack around then you're more or less safe.

Although it's not likely that the police will ask for any documents, it is quite possible that they will if you travel from one country to another and this doesn't include just airplanes. I know that I've been asked for my ID several times while traveling to Italy by train. And the statement that they're looking for illegal immigrants and not backpackers is false, because once a backpacker crosses those 90 days he becomes an illegal immigrant, despite people from rich countries thinking that this term is reserved only for 3rd worlders. If they find out you went over the 90 day limit they will put you in detention, even if you do have a large backpack.