Are you looking for a job opportunity in Europe but do not necessarily want a long-term contract? Seasonal work can be one of the options worth looking into, especially in sectors such as agriculture, tourism, hotels and food industries.
But finding a seasonal job advertisement does not mean you can travel and start working right away. If you are from outside the European Union, there are conditions linked to the employment contract and the visa or work permit, and these procedures differ from one European country to another.
In this guide from Forsa Work, we will look at what seasonal jobs in Europe are like, where to search for them, what conditions to watch out for, and how to apply in a safer way.
What Is Seasonal Work?
Seasonal work is a job tied to a specific period of the year, when companies, farms or hotels need a larger number of workers because activity increases.
For example, farms may need extra workers during the harvest season, while hotels and restaurants look for staff during peak tourist periods.
This means the job may last only a few months, and not necessarily the whole year.
The European EURES platform includes both permanent and seasonal opportunities, and each listing explains how to apply and who to contact.
What Are the Main Sectors Offering Seasonal Jobs in Europe?
Opportunities differ from one country to another and from one season to the next, but there are some fields where demand for seasonal workers keeps recurring.
1. Agriculture
The agricultural sector is one of the most well-known fields associated with seasonal work.
The jobs can include:
- Picking fruit and vegetables.
- Sorting and packing products.
- Working on farms.
- Caring for certain crops.
- Work related to the harvest season.
Not all of these jobs require specialised professional experience, but the work can be physical and may require the ability to work long hours depending on the season and the employer.
2. Tourism and Hotels
During tourist seasons, the need for certain jobs in hotels, restaurants and resorts increases.
Jobs that may appear in this field include:
- Cleaner.
- Kitchen assistant.
- Waiter.
- Receptionist.
- Hotel services worker.
- Customer service jobs.
EURES organises recruitment events related to seasonal work in the tourism, hospitality and restaurant sectors, with the aim of connecting jobseekers with employers.
3. Food Industries
Temporary opportunities can also appear in some factories and food processing and packing centres, especially when activity is linked to specific production seasons.
So do not limit your search to the word "farm" only; also look for packing, production and warehouse jobs linked to the seasons.
Can You Do Seasonal Work in Europe Without Experience?
Yes, there are seasonal jobs that do not require long experience, especially some agricultural jobs or cleaning and assistant jobs in hotels and restaurants.
But not requiring experience does not mean there are no other conditions.
An employer may ask for, for example:
- The ability to do physical work.
- Commitment to working hours.
- Basic knowledge of the language.
- A driving licence for some jobs.
- The ability to work in a team.
- Documents that allow you to work in the country.
So do not assume that the phrase "no experience" in an advertisement means that all the other requirements do not matter.
Can Moroccans Apply for Seasonal Jobs in Europe?
Moroccan citizens can search for seasonal opportunities and apply for them, but for those who do not hold the nationality of an EU country, there is an essential point to note: receiving a job offer does not automatically mean obtaining the right to work or reside.
Jobseekers from outside the European Union can use EURES services and search for jobs, but getting a job does not remove the national requirements relating to work and residence permits.
So, if you find a suitable offer, you should check the procedures of the country concerned before paying any fees or booking travel.
What Are the Conditions for Seasonal Work for Workers From Outside Europe?
The conditions differ by country, but there is a set of requirements that may be asked of seasonal workers from outside the European Union.
They usually include:
- An employment contract or a binding job offer.
- A valid passport.
- Health insurance.
- Proof of accommodation.
- The visa, work permit or residence permit required depending on the country and the duration of the work.
There are no completely unified procedures for all of Europe, so you should always check the official rules of the country you will apply to.
How Long Does a Seasonal Job Last?
The duration of seasonal work is not the same in every country.
Some countries set a specific duration for seasonal work, and the length may differ depending on the sector, the type of permit and the contract.
For example, France allows a seasonal worker from outside the European Union to work for no more than six months within a 12-month period, while Spain allows seasonal permits of up to nine months per year under its own conditions.
For this reason, do not rely on a single figure when looking for a seasonal job; check the system of the country you will apply to.
Where Can You Search for Seasonal Jobs in Europe?
There is more than one way to search, but it is best to start with sources where you can clearly see the employer's name, how to apply and the conditions.
The EURES Platform
EURES is one of the important platforms for searching for jobs in Europe.
You can search by:
- Country.
- Region.
- Profession.
- Type of contract.
- Required experience.
The job database is updated daily by the European employment services, and each listing usually explains how to apply and who to contact.
Go to the EURES platform and search for a job
Searching on Companies' Official Websites
This is another important method.
If you find a company, hotel or farm advertising seasonal opportunities, try to reach its official website and look for a section such as:
Careers / Jobs / Recruitment
Then compare the information in the advertisement with the information on the official website.
This step can help you distinguish between a genuine advertisement and advertisements that use a real company's name fraudulently.
Does a Seasonal Job Provide Accommodation?
Not necessarily.
Some employers may provide accommodation, some may provide it in exchange for deducting an amount from the salary, while finding accommodation may be the worker's own responsibility.
For this reason, do not rely on a phrase like "accommodation provided" before you know the details.
Ask about:
- Is the accommodation free or paid?
- How much does it cost?
- Is the amount deducted from the salary?
- How many people share the room?
- Where is the accommodation located?
- Is transport to the workplace available?
How Do You Find a Genuine Seasonal Job?
Always start from a clear source.
If you find an advertisement on social media or in a Facebook group, do not rush to send your passport or pay money.
Look for:
- The company's name.
- The company's official website.
- The workplace address.
- The official email address.
- The nature of the job.
- The salary and working hours.
- The contract duration.
- How to apply.
- The body responsible for the work permit procedures.
And if the advertisement asks you to transfer money to a person you do not know in exchange for "guaranteeing the job", that is a warning sign to be careful about.
When Should You Apply for Seasonal Jobs?
It is best not to wait until the season starts.
EURES recommends applying early, because some companies start the recruitment process a while before the season begins, and they may need time to select workers and prepare them for work.
So, if you are targeting a specific summer or agricultural season, start searching well in advance and follow the advertisements regularly.
What Documents Might You Need?
There is no single list that applies to all jobs and countries, but you may need some documents such as:
- A valid passport.
- A CV.
- The employment contract or job offer.
- Personal photos when needed.
- Certificates or proof of experience if required.
- Health insurance.
- Proof of accommodation.
- Documents related to the work visa or work permit.
For seasonal workers from outside the European Union, the documents and procedures differ depending on the country, the type of work and the length of stay.
Do You Need a CV for Seasonal Work?
It is best to have a CV even if the job does not require much experience.
You do not necessarily need a long CV.
It can include:
- Your name and contact information.
- Previous experience.
- Skills.
- Languages.
- A driving licence if you have one.
- The ability to work in certain conditions.
- Your period of availability for work.
If you do not have previous experience, focus on skills that can be useful for the job instead of leaving your CV empty.
What If I Have No Experience?
Do not let a lack of experience stop you from searching.
Some seasonal jobs depend more on commitment, the ability to learn and working in a team than on a professional certificate.
But be realistic too. Agricultural or hotel work can be tiring, and some jobs require standing for long periods or working at different times.
That is why, before accepting an offer, read the job description carefully and ask about the actual tasks.
What Is the Salary in Seasonal Jobs?
There is no unified salary for seasonal jobs in Europe.
Pay is affected by:
- The country.
- The type of job.
- The number of working hours.
- Experience.
- The minimum wage or collective agreements in force.
- Accommodation, food and benefits provided.
- Taxes and deductions.
So it is best not to judge a job offer by the gross salary alone.
If an offer provides a certain salary with paid accommodation, the outcome may be different from another offer with a slightly higher salary that does not provide accommodation.
Does Seasonal Work Allow You to Stay After the Contract Ends?
Not necessarily.
The seasonal visa or work permit is usually tied to the seasonal work and the specific conditions in the country.
If you want to stay and work after the contract ends, do not assume this happens automatically. You must find out whether there is a legal possibility to change your status or obtain another permit, in accordance with the country's laws.
Example: Seasonal Work in Italy
Italy is one of the countries with a clear system for admitting a set number of workers from outside the European Union under what is known as the Decreto Flussi.
For the period 2026–2028, the Italian government set a total of 497,550 entries for third-country nationals for work, of which 164,850 are in 2026. The quotas include seasonal and non-seasonal work.
In 2026, application dates were set for seasonal workers in the agricultural and tourism sectors under this system, and the Italian Ministry of Labour later announced additional quotas for seasonal work in the agricultural and tourism sectors.
This example shows an important point: the existence of seasonal opportunities does not mean applications are open all year round, because some countries use quotas, dates and specific procedures.
How Do You Avoid Fake Seasonal Job Offers?
This is one of the most important points to pay attention to.
Do not pay money just because someone promised you an employment contract.
Before any step, try to make sure of:
- That the company actually exists.
- That the advertisement is published on a trusted source.
- That the email address is linked to the company.
- That the job title actually exists.
- That the contract states the salary, working hours and duration.
- That the visa and work permit information comes from an official source.
You should also beware of advertisements that say the visa is guaranteed or the job is guaranteed in exchange for paying money.
Do not deal with any intermediary just because they ask you to pay quickly or refuse to give you clear information about the employer.
What Should a Seasonal Employment Contract Include?
Read the contract before agreeing to it.
It is useful to make sure there is clear information about:
- The employer's name.
- The place of work.
- The nature of the job.
- The start date of the work.
- The contract duration.
- The salary.
- Working hours.
- Holidays.
- Accommodation if provided.
- Any costs that will be deducted from the salary.
Tips Before Travelling for Seasonal Work
Before buying your travel ticket, make sure your legal status is clear.
Check:
- The employment contract.
- The visa or work permit.
- The accommodation address.
- How to get to the workplace.
- The employer's information.
- Health insurance.
- The money you will need on arrival.
- How to contact an official body if a problem occurs.
And keep electronic and paper copies of the important documents.
Are Seasonal Jobs Suitable for Beginners?
They can be suitable for someone who wants to try working outside their country or gain first experience in a European labour market, but that depends on the person's circumstances, the job and the country.
If you do not have much experience, focus on jobs that clearly state they accept beginners, and do not apply for a job that requires qualifications you do not have.
The most important thing is to know the nature of the work before travelling, not just the salary in the advertisement.
Seasonal Jobs or Jobs Without Experience?
If you are specifically looking for jobs that do not require experience, you may find options beyond seasonal work.
You can read our article:
Jobs Abroad Without Experience: The Best Opportunities for Beginners
You will find other types of jobs there that may be suitable for beginners, as well as ways to search for genuine job offers.
Why Do We Rely on Official Sources at Forsa Work?
Keen to provide practical information that can be relied on, Forsa Work tries to refer to official sources when discussing work conditions, visas, work permits and application procedures.
On the subject of seasonal jobs, we rely in particular on information from EURES and the EU Immigration Portal, as well as government sources when we talk about a specific country.
But it is important to note that immigration and labour laws, quotas and application dates can change.
So always check the official website of the competent authority before submitting your application, paying any amount or making a decision related to travel.
Frequently Asked Questions About Seasonal Jobs in Europe
Are There Seasonal Jobs in Europe Without Experience?
Yes, there are some jobs that do not require long experience, especially in some agriculture, tourism and services sectors. But the conditions differ from one job to another.
Can a Moroccan Apply for a Seasonal Job in Europe?
They can search for and apply to opportunities that accept workers from outside the European Union, but they must meet the country's conditions relating to work and the visa or residence permit.
Is EURES Only for Europeans?
Jobseekers from outside the European Union can use a number of EURES services and search for jobs, but finding a job does not remove the work or residence permit requirements imposed on non-EU citizens.
Does a Seasonal Job Provide Accommodation?
Not always. You should read the advertisement and the contract and check the accommodation conditions before travelling.
How Long Does Seasonal Work in Europe Last?
The duration differs depending on the country, the type of permit and the contract. So you should refer to the official rules of the country where you will work.
Can Seasonal Work Be Converted Into Permanent Work?
This does not happen automatically. The possibility of moving to another work status depends on the country's laws, the type of residence permit and the worker's circumstances.
Article Summary
Seasonal jobs in Europe can provide opportunities in fields such as agriculture, tourism, hotels and food industries, and some of these jobs may be suitable for people without long experience.
But for jobseekers from outside the European Union, the most important step is not just finding an advertisement, but making sure the contract is genuine, the employer is clear, and the work and visa procedures are legal and suitable for your situation.
Start from trusted platforms like EURES, and also search companies' official websites, and do not pay money in exchange for undocumented promises.
Finally, remember that seasonal work conditions differ from one country to another, so you should refer to the country's official source before taking any step.