Although the weather outside is wintery, some of you may already be thinking about plans for the upcoming summer. What is seasonal work abroad like? What kind of earnings can you expect, and where is the demand for seasonal workers the highest? You’ll find all the answers in the article!
Seasonal Work – Demand
The demand for seasonal workers during the summer months is incredibly high, both in Poland and abroad. The main advantage of summer seasonal employment is the lack of requirements from employers, which translates into a shorter recruitment process.
During the seasonal period, you can confidently apply for jobs without:
Additionally, seasonal jobs often include accommodation and transportation.
As we can see, the recruitment process during this period is not very complicated for both the employer and the potential candidate. Moreover, employees do not have to search for accommodation or handle formalities on their own. This is usually taken care of by the employer. It is an ideal solution for students or for those who plan to go abroad for seasonal work for the first time
Browse jobs from all over Europe
How to find seasonal work?
First of all, you should consider the type of work and the conditions offered. For example, in gardening/harvesting/greenhouse work, it’s important to be prepared to work in the early hours, often in full sunlight and in an open space, with limited days off. On the other hand, in the hospitality industry, working the night shift will be inevitable. Earnings in this sector are dependent on tips
Additionally, it is worth paying attention to the high and low seasons for seasonal work. Seasonal work by the sea falls under the high season (for example, in Greece/Spain/Portugal or Cyprus, the high season is in July and August). The highest demand for fruit/vegetable pickers occurs at the end of May – beginning of June
In Germany and the Netherlands, the demand in seasonal industries (hospitality/foodservice) is high throughout the year.
In the high season, overtime and an excess of work are inevitable, unlike in the low season, where the amount of tasks/responsibilities is significantly lower.
What does a typical shift look like in seasonal work?
- Early wake-up (shifts usually start at 5-6 in the morning)
- Transport to the workplace
- First break (breakfast) around 9 AM
Lunch (11-12) - Additional breaks (on average 10-15 minutes)
- Return home around 2-4 PM
Due to the demanding working conditions (outdoors, in high temperatures), the employer is obligated to provide, among other things:
- longer breaks
- additional days off
- drinking water”
Seasonal work abroad – where is the best place?
There will be no shortage of seasonal job offers in Poland, but the wages are incomparable to those abroad. Therefore, we recommend looking for seasonal work abroad, in countries such as:
- Germany
- France
- Netherlands
- Belgium
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Austria
- Ireland
- Cyprus
- Greece
- Spain
- Portugal
- Italy
Remember, knowledge of foreign languages guarantees better earnings. English, German, Spanish, French, or maybe Italian? Start learning a new language now!
Seasonal work abroad – industries
Seasonal work is most often associated with the previously mentioned jobs in gardening or hospitality. Indeed, the number of offers in these industries during the summer season is several times higher. However, there will also be no shortage of job offers in so-called year-round industries, such as in warehouses, construction, or caregiving.
Below you can check a list of industries with a breakdown of demand in various European countries:
| Country | Demand in industries |
| Poland | food servicehospitalitywarehouse workmanufacturingconstructionhorticultureharvesting |
| Germany | agriculturecaregivingwarehouse workconstruction |
| France | food serviceharvestingmanufacturingagriculture |
| Holland | agricultureharvestingflower cultivationwarehouse work |
| Belgium | agricultureharvestingphysical worker |
| Sweden | constructionfood service |
| Switzerland | food serviceconstruction |
| Austria | physical workerconstructionwarehouse work |
| Ireland | food servicecaregivingmanufacturingconstruction |
| Cyprus | food servicehospitality |
| Greece | hospitalityfood servicecleaningdishwashing |
| Spain | hospitalityfood servicecleaningdishwashing |
| Portugal | hospitalityfood servicecleaningdishwashing |
| Italy | hospitalityfood servicecleaningdishwashing |
Seasonal work abroad – earnings
As mentioned at the beginning, the demand for temporary workers during the summer season is very high. However, it is important to keep in mind that the level of earnings is highly dependent on the type and conditions of the work, as well as the country of employment.
Earnings in seasonal work – what should you pay attention to?
- Is the provided accommodation/food/transport deducted from the salary?
- How many hours does one shift last? How many shifts are there?
- What does the weekly work schedule look like?
- Are the stated earnings gross/net/per piece?
- What does the employment contract include and for how long is it signed?
- How are overtime hours calculated?
Next, we provide example gross earnings in selected industries and countries.
Remember! The listed rates are from job offers published on europa.jobs.
| Industry/Country | PL | DE | FR | NL | BE | SE | CH | AT | IE | CY | GR | ES | PT | IT |
| food servicehospitality | 22-32 PLN | 15-20 EUR | 13-15 EUR | 13-15 EUR | 13-15 EUR | 15-17 EUR | 25-30 EUR | 14-15 EUR | 11-13 EUR | 9-12 EUR | 10-15 EUR | 10-15 EUR | 9-12 EUR | 12-15 EUR |
| harvesting | 20-30 PLN | 13-15 EUR | 11-13 EUR | 11-15 EUR | 10-13 EUR | 13-14 EUR | 20-25 EUR | 13-15 EUR | 11-13 EUR | 9-12 EUR | 8-12 EUR | 10-12 EUR | 8-11 EUR | 10-12 EUR |
| agriculture | 20-30 PLN | 13-15 EUR | 11-13 EUR | 11-15 EUR | 10-13 EUR | 13-14 EUR | 20-22 EUR | 13-15 EUR | 11-13 EUR | 10-12 EUR | 8-10 EUR | 10-12 EUR | 8-10 EUR | 10-12 EUR |
| cleaning | 23-28 PLN | 14-16 EUR | 12-13 EUR | 14-15 EUR | 14-15 EUR | 14-16 EUR | 20-22 EUR | 14-15 EUR | 11-15 EUR | 10-12 EUR | 10-12 EUR | 10-12 EUR | 10-12 EUR | 12-14 EUR |
| caregiving | 17-25 PLN | 14-20 EUR | 13-20 EUR | 13-20 EUR | 13-20 EUR | 15-20 EUR | 25-35 EUR | 13-15 EUR | 15-17 EUR | – | – | – | – | – |
| construction | 23-30 PLN | 15-20 EUR | 13-15 EUR | 15-20 EUR | 17-19 EUR | 16-18 EUR | 30-35 EUR | 18-20 EUR | 17-18 EUR | – | – | – | – | – |
| warehouse work | 16 – 25 PLN | 14-16 EUR | 13-15 EUR | 13-17 EUR | 18-20 EUR | 18-20 EUR | 19-22 EUR | 14-15 EUR | 13-17 EUR | – | – | – | – | – |
| manufacturing | 26-35 PLN | 18-20 EUR | 12-15 EUR | 14-20 EUR | 18-20 EUR | 18-20 EUR | 20-30 EUR | 13-15 EUR | 13-17 EUR | – | – | – | – | – |
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Check out new employment opportunities in many job roles and categories on: https://jobsinportugal.pt/
