Volunteering at a hostel

If you actually have such a think as a "gap year," does that mean you are resident in Europe or Australia, or where?

Those listing sites take no responsibility for confirming whether or not you legally can take the hostel jobs. Note that each country allows citizens of various countries to stay as a tourist (not a worker) for a limited time and usually requires a different visa for a worker. Most of western Europe is included in the Schengen Visa Zone, sharing one 90-day tourist visa, and not allowing a US citizen to work, even in trade. The topic of Schengen visas has been discussed pretty often on this Travel Forum, but none of us are qualified to give legal advice.

For areas that may welcome more volunteers, see an organization like http://www.globalvolunteers.org/.

Here are Worldpackers weasel words on visas / permits:

"...it is your responsibility to ensure you have the necessary documents when entering different countries. Worldpackers is not responsible for this in any way."

Helpx is actually much more informative about getting working holiday visas etc but you have to do this yourself.

That's correct I am from the UK so I can travel around Europe easily. I have also taken into consideration the 90 day rule that applies in many Latin American countries. My idea is to volunteer at a hostel for no longer than one month so I can get a feel for the place I am at and that way it doesn't tie me down for too long.

I also understand these companies do not take any responsibility when it comes to putting me in contact with a hostel but I am not overly worried. From what I hear, this "volunteering" happens in hostels worldwide. As a traveller/volunteer you don't receive a salary either so I don't consider it to be a form of employment in that regard. I think it's a win - win for traveller and hostel. From a traveller point of view, I save money and a hostel receives energetic volunteers from abroad.

Except that you might be running afoul of laws that prohibit even volunteering (they still consider it work, even though it is unpaid). Not to say that it doesn't happen....and not to say that it might be OK for someone from the UK.... but it might not.

Work is work whether or not your are compensated in cash or food and lodging. Just understand what you may be doing and the associated risks. Lots of people work illegally and never get caught. So just have an option if you do get caught.

As a British citizen you don't need to worry of course about working visas in the EEA at all nor the question as to whether it is really employment or not. There may be a need to register with local authorities either immediately or after a set period of time though.

The Lonely Planet Thorn Tree is more likely to have posters who will have the experience you're asking about. They have forums for various countries, but I'd start with their Gap Year Forum: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/forums/gap-year-round-the-world-travel

I stay in rural British hostels quite a bit. There's lots of younger people working in them from all over the EEA. I don't know if they're paid or not, but they do stay in the hostels. I have the idea that the purpose is language acquisition. A couple have mentioned that their 'time was about up', but the implication was that it was a personal decision. Room prices run about eighteen pounds.

Interesting - thanks for your input guys. It's forums like these that help every traveller (past, current and future).