Seasonal jobs in Europe: countries, calendar and rules for working in 2027

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Where can you find a season in Europe?

Europe is the largest seasonal labour market open to Europeans: more than thirty countries where an EU citizen can sign a contract without a permit. Demand concentrates in Mediterranean farming, Alpine resorts and the tourist coasts of the south.

Each country has its speciality. Spain recruits for Huelva's berries, Italy for grape harvests and Trentino apples, Germany for asparagus, the Netherlands for greenhouses and flower bulbs, Croatia and Greece for coastal tourism and island hotels.

Key regions and months

• March to June: asparagus and strawberries in Germany, berries in Andalusia, greenhouse work in the Netherlands and Belgium.
• May to September: hotels and restaurants on the Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Croatian and Greek coasts.
• June to August: fruit in Poland, cherries and apricots in France's Rhône valley, campsites across Europe.
• September to October: grape harvests in France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and German wine regions.
• December to April: ski resorts in Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy and Norway.

These windows overlap, which makes it possible to chain several contracts in a year. Farm employers often hire only a few weeks before harvest, whereas hotels and ski resorts finalise their teams several months ahead of opening day.

Lapland and northern Europe: a winter niche

Finnish and Swedish Lapland recruit from November to March for Christmas holidays and snow activities: husky guides, hotel staff, cooks. English is often enough, but experience of cold conditions and customer service is strongly valued by employers there.

Norwegian ski resorts and Icelandic tourism operators follow the same calendar, with peaks around Christmas, February holidays and Easter. Contracts in these northern destinations frequently include staff housing because local rental markets are small and expensive.

Switzerland and Norway: outside the EU but open

Switzerland applies free movement to EU citizens. Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, as members of the European Economic Area, follow the same principles. Formalities are usually limited to registering with the municipality or the local police on arrival.

Free movement: what an EU citizen needs

A national of the EU, the EEA or Switzerland can work anywhere in that area with an identity card. Beyond three months, residence registration may be required. The worker must be treated exactly like a national employee doing the same job.

For health, the European Health Insurance Card covers unforeseen care during a stay, but an employed seasonal worker is normally insured by the social security system of the country of work. A local tax or social security number is requested on hiring.

Non-EU nationals: the Seasonal Workers Directive

Directive 2014/36/EU harmonises the admission of non-EU seasonal workers in member states. Stays are capped between five and nine months in any twelve, depending on the country, and employers must provide decent housing and equal working conditions.

Each state implements the directive differently. France issues a three-year multi-year seasonal worker card, Italy opens annual quotas through its decreto flussi, Spain recruits in countries of origin through collective management, Germany through its public employment agency.

United Kingdom and Ireland after Brexit

Since 2021, EU citizens without settled or pre-settled status need a visa to work in the UK. The Seasonal Worker visa covers horticulture for up to six months and poultry from October to December; Ireland remains open to Europeans without formalities.

Pay and working conditions in Europe

There is no single European minimum wage. In France the SMIC reaches €12.31 gross per hour from 1 June 2026; in Germany the statutory minimum is €13.90. Other countries, such as Italy or Switzerland, rely on sector collective agreements instead.

Weekly hours follow national law, with adjustments for farming and hospitality. Overtime carries a premium. Housing is frequently provided in mountain resorts and on large farms, with a wage deduction regulated by local law and usually stated in the contract.

Steps to secure a contract in Europe

The method is the same from one country to another. The steps below apply to EU citizens; a non-EU national adds the seasonal visa application, which always starts with a job offer that the authorities of the host country have approved.

1. Target two or three countries according to language, period and type of job.
2. Search EURES and the public employment service of the target country, then local sector job boards.
3. Adapt your CV to local customs, with a photo in Germany and Austria, without one in the UK.
4. Apply from January for summer and from June for winter, giving exact dates.
5. Obtain a written contract stating gross pay, hours, housing and duration.
6. Register with the municipality and local social security on arrival.
7. Keep your payslips to claim your rights back in your home country.

Common mistakes made by seasonal workers in Europe

• Assuming free movement removes the need for a written contract and proper declaration.
• Confusing gross and net pay, especially in Germany where deductions are high.
• Travelling to the UK without a visa in the belief that EU rules still apply.
• Paying an agency for a picking place promised without any farm address.
• Forgetting to ask for the employment period form needed for unemployment benefits back home.

EURES, the public reference tool

The EURES network, backed by the European Labour Authority and the Commission, connects the public employment services of EEA countries. It publishes vacancies, organises online recruitment days and provides mobility advisers who can answer questions about working conditions abroad.

Frequently asked questions about seasonal jobs in Europe

These short answers cover the questions most often asked by European and non-European candidates. Detailed rules vary between states and should always be confirmed with the public employment service or the embassy of the country concerned before departure.

Does a French citizen need a permit to work in Spain?

No. A French citizen works in Spain with an identity card. They must obtain a foreigner identification number, the NIE, and be registered with Spanish social security by the employer. These steps are usually completed during the first days after arrival.

Can a Moroccan national do a season in France?

Yes, provided an employer obtains a work authorisation and the worker then applies for a seasonal worker visa. The multi-year card then allows a return every year, within a limit of six months of work per calendar year.

Which European country pays seasonal workers best?

Switzerland, Norway and Luxembourg post high wages, but the cost of living absorbs much of the gain. Employer-provided housing often weighs more heavily on take-home income than the advertised hourly rate, so total costs should be compared.

Can you work in several countries in the same year?

Yes. A European can pick asparagus in Germany in spring, spend summer in Croatia and finish with the French grape harvest. Each contract opens social rights in that country, which EU coordination rules then allow to be aggregated.