We are fast approaching the beginning of the vacation season, that is, the hottest period on the employment market – seasonal jobs. What do seasonal jobs abroad look like? What earnings can be counted on and where is the greatest demand for seasonal workers? All answers further in the article!
The demand for seasonal workers in the summer months is incomparably high. The main advantage of employment in the summer season is the lack of requirements from the employer, which translates into a shortened recruitment process.
During the seasonal period, you can confidently apply for ‘job offers without’:
In addition, accommodation and transport are usually provided during seasonal jobs.
As we can notice, the recruitment process in this period is not too complicated for both the employer and the potential candidate. What’s more, employees do not have to look for an apartment on their own and do not have to deal with formalities. The employer usually helps them with this. It is an ideal solution for students or for people who intend to leave for seasonal jobs for the first time.
Seasonal jobs in Portugal – what do they look like?
How to find a seasonal job?
First of all, we should consider the type and working conditions offered. For example, in the case of gardening / harvesting / work in greenhouses, it is worth being prepared to work in the morning hours, most often in full sun in the open space and with a limited number of days off. On the other hand, in the gastronomy / hotel industry, night shift work will be inevitable. The amount of earnings in these sectors depends on tips.
In addition, it is worth paying attention to the high and low seasons of seasonal jobs. Seasonal jobs at the seaside are the part of the high seasons (e.g. in Greece / Spain or Cyprus, the high season is in July / August). The greatest demand for fruit / vegetable harvest workers is at the end of May – beginning of June.
In Germany and the Netherlands, demand in the seasonal industries (hotel industry / gastronomy) is high throughout the year.
In the case of jobs in high seasons, overtime and excess work are inevitable, in contrast to the low seasons, where the number of tasks / responsibilities are much fewer.
What does an exemplary shift in seasonal jobs look like?
- Wake up early in the morning (shifts usually start at 5-6 a.m)
- Transportation to the workplace
- First break (eventually breakfast) around 9 a.m
- Lunch (at 11-12)
- Consecutive breaks (average 10-15 minutes)
- Return home around 2-4 p.m
Due to the demanding working conditions (in the open air, at high temperatures), the employer is obliged to provide, among others:
- longer breaks
- extra days off
- drinking water
Seasonal jobs abroad – where is the best?
There are many seasonal job offers in different EU countries, but the amount of earnings may slightly be incomparable. We therefore recommend looking for seasonal jobs in countries like:
- Germany
- France
- Netherlands
- Belgium
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Austria
- Ireland
- Cyprus
- Greece
- Spain
- Italy
Moving abroad with your car? Check Cross-Country Car Shipping
Seasonal jobs abroad – industries
Seasonal jobs are most often associated with the above-mentioned jobs, in gardening or hotel industry. Indeed, the number of offers in these industries in the summer season is several times higher. Nevertheless, job offers in the so-called year-round industries, i.e. in the warehouses, construction sites or in the caregiving, will also be available.
Below you can check the list of industries splitted by demand in individual European countries:
| Country | Industries’ demand |
| Poland | gastronomy / hotel / industry / work in the warehouse / production / construction / gardening / harvesting |
| Germany | agriculture / caregiver / work in the warehouse / construction |
| France | gastronomy / harvesting / production / agriculture |
| Netherlands | agriculture / harvesting / flower cultivation / work in the warehouse |
| Belgium | agriculture / harvesting / manual worker |
| Sweden | construction / gastronomy |
| Switzerland | gastronomy / construction |
| Austria | manual worker / construction / work in the warehouse |
| Ireland | gastronomy / caregiver / production / construction |
| Cyprus | gastronomy / hotel industry |
| Greece | hotel industry / gastronomy / cleaning / washing dishes |
| Spain | hotel industry / gastronomy / cleaning / washing dishes |
| Italy | hotel industry / gastronomy / cleaning / washing dishes |
Seasonal jobs abroad – earnings
As mentioned at the beginning, the demand for temporary workers in the summer season is at a very high level. However, it is worth remembering that the amount of earnings depends strongly on the type or conditions of work, as well as on the country of employment.
Earnings during seasonal work – what is worth paying attention to?
- Is the offered accommodation / food / transport deducted from the salary?
- How many hours does one shift last? How many shifts are there?
- What does the weekly work mode look like?
- Are the earnings listed in gross / net / piecework?
- What is included in the employment contract and for how long is it signed?
- How is the overtime calculated?
Seasonal jobs in the Netherlands – what is worth paying attention to?
Below are examples of gross earnings in selected industries and countries.
Remember! The given rates come from job offers published on the europa.jobs portal.
| Industry / Country | PL | DE | FR | NL | BE | SE | CH | AT | IE | CY | GR | ES | IT |
| Gastronomy / hotel industry | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 12-14 EUR |
| Caregiving | 17-25 PLN | 13-15 EUR | 13-15 EUR | 13-15 EUR | 13-15 EUR | 14-16 EUR | 20-25 EUR | 13-15 EUR | 15-17 EUR | – | – | – | – |
| Construction | 23-30 PLN | 15-20 EUR | 13-15 EUR | 13-15 EUR | 17-19 EUR | 16-18 EUR | 30-35 EUR | 18-20 EUR | 17-18 EUR | – | – | – | – |
| Work in the warehouse | 16 – 25 PLN | 14-16 EUR | 13-15 EUR | 12-13 EUR | 18-20 EUR | 18-20 EUR | 18-20 EUR | 14-15 EUR | 13-17 EUR | – | – | – | – |
| Production worker | 26-35 PLN | 18-20 EUR | 12-15 EUR | 12-15 EUR | 18-20 EUR | 18-20 EUR | 18-20 EUR | 13-15 EUR | 13-17 EUR | – | – | – | – |
Don’t delay!
