TripHip - Travel Tips and Advice for Traveling on a Budget

Well, first of all, it is technically illegal to work in a foreign country without the proper work visa. But with that said, it is possible to get work under the table. You will basically need a "cash in hand" job, and the only people willing to pay you like that will be small, independent business owners or individuals. Your best bet for finding cash in hand work is through word of mouth. You can try housecleaning, babysitting, dog walking, etc. They won’t pay much though. Sometimes in the UK you can get a cash in hand job working in a pub. It all depends on who you know and whether you get lucky. Do you have any skills? You can offer someone help in their garden, or cook meals for an elderly person. Sometimes you can get jobs picking grapes in the vineyards of France or Italy (or so I’ve heard).

If your finances are tight, you definitely don’t want to rely on getting a cash in hand job while you’re traveling in Europe. Make sure your finances are in order before you leave.