[intellirogue]

Unless you're from a country with an extensive visa-free agreement for Schengen. In those cases you enter the country as a tourist, and then apply for a work permit (not visa) at a local government office. It is generally not possible to get a visa from the embassy if you're from a country where this is possible.

[andi999]

Can you give an example of a specific set of countries where this applies (country of origin of course non-EU)

[mousetree]

I don't think you can legally work without the work permit though.

[intellirogue]

Correct, you need to have enough money to get by while the work permit is processed. If you get a job via remote interviews, and book the work permit appointment in advance of coming, you can turn it around pretty fast though - I had my work permit appointment the week I arrived, and then went straight to work.