Once you've got the paperwork straightened out, you can legally hold a casual job that may provide some financial support while you are Europe. You can teach English, work in the hospitality industry, pick fruit, take pictures, or write travel articles. You can also do some other work in counseling, babysitting, telemarketing, or in factories. Bear in mind that is not always easy to pick a job because other unemployed EU citizens usually get them first before you do.

There are many students out there in Europe who want to learn English, but it is not always easy to get a teaching job. You will need to be either very well dressed and an extremely bluffer, or you need to bring the right credentials. A recognized TESOL or TEFL certificate is useful. You'll also need a university degree from your home country. August and September are the best times to look for teaching jobs. If you can't get one, the other alternative is to offer your services as a private tutor to groups or individuals, but this is a riskier option. The best places to find teaching jobs would be Eastern Europe and Greece. The other countries are already quite saturated with English teachers.

The hospitality industry is probably the biggest source of temporary employment in Europe. If you have a work permit and some experience, it is easy to get work as a waiter or bartender. The best ways to find this sort of work are to ask around restaurants and bars and watching hostel notice boards. If you time to work in this industry, you'll need to take with you a good set of clothes.