Seasonal jobs in Morocco: from Souss greenhouses to Huelva strawberries

This page in other languages : Français · Deutsch · Español

Where are the seasonal jobs in Morocco?

Morocco is one of Africa's largest fruit and vegetable exporters. Large farms and packing stations hire thousands of workers during each campaign, while hotels in Marrakech, Agadir, Tangier and along the Mediterranean coast add staff for spring, summer and the year-end holidays.

Hiring runs through ANAPEC branches, employer advertisements, temporary work agencies and, above all in farming, team leaders who drive workers from villages to the fields. That informal channel remains the riskiest one for undeclared work, unpaid hours and road safety.

Farm campaigns month by month

In Souss-Massa, around Agadir and Chtouka Ait Baha, tomatoes, peppers and citrus keep greenhouses and packing houses busy from October to May. The Loukkos area near Larache and Moulay Bousselham hires for strawberries, raspberries and blueberries from December to June.

Citrus in Berkane, the Gharb and Beni Mellal is picked from November to April, olives in Fes-Meknes and the Haouz from October to January. Dates in Draa-Tafilalet are harvested in September to November, and Kelaat M'Gouna roses in April and May.

Hotels, restaurants and tourist seasons

Marrakech and Agadir peak at Easter, in autumn and over the festive season, while Saidia, Al Hoceima, M'diq, Martil and Essaouira hire for July and August. Roles range from waiting and kitchen work to entertainment, spa, housekeeping and reception.

In winter, Oukaimeden and Ifrane run a small snow season, and desert tours in Merzouga and Zagora need guides, drivers and camp staff. Major sporting and cultural events planned for 2025 to 2030 also add short-term needs in hospitality, events and security.

Who can work a season in Morocco?

Moroccan nationals may work from age 15, with restrictions on hazardous work for minors. Employers must register every employee with the CNSS social security fund, including farm workers and staff on short seasonal contracts lasting only a few weeks.

Foreign nationals need an employment contract approved by the ministry in charge of employment, usually after ANAPEC confirms that no suitable local candidate is available. A tourist stay never allows paid work, even a few weeks in a hotel, surf camp or farm.

Working a season in Spain or France

Morocco is one of the few countries with public recruitment channels for seasonal work in Europe. ANAPEC pre-selects candidates for foreign employers, organises interviews and supports departure, and workers pay no placement fee under these official schemes.

These programmes mainly target rural applicants with farm experience. Selected workers sign a contract before leaving, receive a seasonal work visa and commit to returning to Morocco when the season ends, which is the condition for being called back the following year.

The Huelva red berry scheme

Under its collective recruitment in the country of origin, Spain hires thousands of Moroccan seasonal workers, mostly women, every year for strawberries and berries in Huelva. Departures are staggered from January to March, with contracts that generally run until June.

Terms follow the province's agricultural collective agreement: a daily wage, housing near the farms and travel often advanced by the employer. NGOs have reported abuses over the years, so knowing your rights and Spanish support contacts before departure is essential.

OFII seasonal contracts in France

In June 2023, the French immigration office OFII, ANAPEC and the farmers' union FNSEA signed an agreement to secure collective recruitment of Moroccan farm workers. Press reports put Moroccan seasonal workers in France at over 15,700 in 2022, mainly in Provence and Corsica.

The French employer obtains a work authorisation, then the worker receives a visa and may hold a seasonal worker residence card valid up to three years, limited to six months per year. Pay cannot fall below the French minimum wage of 12.31 euros gross per hour from June 2026.

Pay and conditions in Morocco

The Labour Code sets legal working time at 44 hours a week outside agriculture and 2,496 hours a year in farming. The SMIG has been 17.92 dirhams per hour since 1 January 2026, and the SMAG 97.44 dirhams per day since 1 April.

Seasonal work is a fixed-term contract allowed by Article 16 of the Labour Code. Packing houses may pay by the hour or by piece, but never below the legal minimum. Overtime, transport and any housing deduction should be written into the contract.

How to land a seasonal job, step by step

Whether the goal is a summer in Agadir or a contract in Huelva, the same principles apply: use official channels, get a written commitment and never pay anyone for a job offer or a visa slot.

1. Pick the campaign and region you are targeting and note its exact start dates.
2. Register at your nearest ANAPEC branch and create your online candidate account.
3. Prepare your file: national ID, CV, proof of farm or hotel experience and driving licence.
4. For Europe, follow ANAPEC calls for applications and attend the pre-selection sessions.
5. Read the contract before signing: duration, wage, housing, deductions, transport and insurance.
6. Apply for the passport and visa only after official confirmation of the job.
7. Keep a copy of the contract and the consular contacts of the host country.

Typical documents and costs

These items appear in almost every seasonal file, both in Morocco and in the managed schemes to Spain and France. Always check current amounts with the official body handling your application before paying anything.

Mistakes and scams to avoid

Schemes to Europe attract fraudsters who exploit long waiting times and limited information. These are the most common mistakes seen among applicants every season, in Morocco and abroad.

• Paying a so-called intermediary who promises a place in Huelva or France.
• Trusting a social media advert that cannot be found on an official website.
• Overstaying in Spain or France after the contract, which closes future seasons.
• Accepting unsafe transport to the fields, a frequent cause of accidents in Souss.
• Signing a contract in a language you do not understand without asking for a translation.

Do I need to speak Spanish for Huelva?

It is not required, but basic Spanish helps with daily life and with defending your rights. Employers mainly look for farm experience and physical fitness and, according to published calls, often favour people who returned home after a previous season.

How long is a seasonal contract in France?

The seasonal worker residence card allows a maximum of six months in France within any twelve-month period. According to Service-Public, the card requires an approved seasonal contract of at least three months, costs 150 euros for a first application and can be reused year after year.

Are seasonal workers registered with the CNSS?

They must be, including on farms. Registration opens rights to compulsory health insurance and family benefits. Workers can check their status on the CNSS online portal or at a local branch, and should ask employers for proof.

Can a foreigner do a tourist season in Morocco?

Yes, but only with an employment contract approved by the employment ministry and requested by the employer. Foreign entertainers and sports instructors are usually hired by international resort groups that handle this procedure before arrival in the country.

How can I get called back next year?

Spanish and French employers often name the seasonal workers they want to rehire. Respecting the contract, returning home on time and keeping in touch with ANAPEC are the best ways to be called back, sometimes ahead of new applicants.