I've been looking at the various house sitting websites, and I haven't found any with an emphasis on Europe, with the one exception of Nomadoor, which has a lot for France but not too much outside of France for Europe. Most of the English language sites will just have a token few European assignments that are often outdated anyway. Any other sites out there for just Europe? Perhaps there are some in the various languages in the country in question that we just don't know about?
Posted by
Corvallis OR
7174 posts
I don't know anything personally about house sitting in Europe but have you tried Mindmyhouse.com or housecarers.com? Both websites appear to have lots of European locations. Have no idea how reliable they are or what the requirements for house sitters are.
Posted by
Bern, Switzerland
1052 posts
You need a work permit to do house sitting in most of Europe unless you are an EU/EEA/CH citizen. If something goes wrong while the home owners are away and an illegally alien is found house sitting it will not go well for the owners, especially in the current climate. Perhaps this accounts for the few ads.
Posted by
Long Beach, California, USA
3398 posts
trustedhousesitters.com has loads of listings all over the place! Might be a good place to start...
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11818 posts
@Jim, I think if you are not paid to housesit, it is not a "job".
At any rate, while living in Rome we used Trustedhousesitters.com twice and were happy with the sitters. Ecstatic, even. From what I can gather on trying to be a housesitter, one has to be willing to take some assignments almost anywhere to build one's reputation and references. Don't hold out for central Paris in May, but be willing to go to the countryside in November to get some references. Just my two centissimi.
Posted by
Edinburgh
2687 posts
@Jim, I think if you are not paid to housesit, it is not a "job".
try explaining that to the immigration officials
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9371 posts
@Jim, I think if you are not paid to housesit, it is not a "job".
Jim and Unclegus are correct. You need a work permit to work, and volunteer work is work, too. You are receiving something of value for your time.