Seasonal work in Europe is the easiest way to combine income, travel, and a real “new life” reset—without committing to a full relocation plan. The secret isn’t just picking a destination you love. It’s choosing a place with a strong seasonal rhythm and applying at the right moment, so you’re not competing for the last available roles.
Below are five destinations that reliably hire international seasonal staff every year—plus what the seasons look like, what jobs are common, and the best window to apply so you actually land a spot.
1) Greek Islands (Crete, Rhodes, Corfu): the ultimate summer season
If you’re looking for the classic seasonal experience—sun, sea, international teams, and a social lifestyle—Greek islands are the blueprint.
The season typically builds from spring and peaks through summer. Resorts and hotels scale up fast, and they need full teams to run everything from front desk to food service.
This is one of the best places to target if you want a job that feels like travel, because many employers are experienced with international hires and seasonal contracts.
Best roles to look for: hotel staff, housekeeping, kitchen support, waiting staff, bartending, guest relations, activity staff.
Application timing: aim to apply in the months before the season starts, especially if you want roles with accommodation included. The best packages usually go to the earliest applicants.
2) Spain (Balearics, Costa del Sol, Canaries): high-volume summer hiring
Spain is one of the most reliable countries for seasonal job volume. When tourism rises, hiring rises—simple as that. Coastal destinations and islands build huge teams, and the demand stays strong throughout the peak season.
Spain also works for different “styles” of season. You can go for high-energy island life, bigger coastal cities, or places with a steadier pace but still plenty of tourism.
Best roles to look for: bars and restaurants, hotel teams, kitchen and cleaning staff, reception, guest support, reservations.
Application timing: apply ahead of summer to get better choices. If you wait until peak season is already close, you’ll still find jobs—but you’ll have fewer options and housing can become a challenge in tourist hotspots.
3) Portugal (Algarve + Madeira): sunshine season with a calmer lifestyle
Portugal is a strong choice if you want seasonal work that still feels balanced. The Algarve comes alive for beach season, while Madeira can offer a longer tourism window depending on the area and the type of resort.
Portugal is also a great “first seasonal job abroad” destination: it’s easy to settle into a routine, you can build a base, and weekend travel is simple.
Best roles to look for: hospitality teams (front desk, service, kitchen), housekeeping, guest experience, resort support roles.
Application timing: apply before the main summer ramp-up. Early applicants tend to get the better locations and smoother onboarding, especially if you’re aiming for spring start dates.
4) Croatia (Dalmatian Coast): peak summer season in a postcard setting
Croatia is the summer destination for people who want beach season Europe with a slightly different vibe than the usual Spain/Greece route. The Adriatic coast has a clear seasonal cycle: when summer tourism arrives, hiring surges.
The best part: it feels like a travel experience even while you’re working. The reality check: in the most popular coastal towns, housing can get tight, so planning matters.
Best roles to look for: restaurants and bars, hotels, kitchen roles, housekeeping, marina/tourism support jobs, guest-facing service.
Application timing: apply in advance of the summer wave, especially if you want employers that help with accommodation or staff housing. The closer you get to peak season, the more “last-minute” the market becomes.
5) The Alps (Austria / Northern Italy / France): two seasons, one lifestyle
The Alps are a seasonal job hack: many areas have strong hiring twice a year—winter for ski season, and summer for hiking and alpine tourism. That means you can potentially do back-to-back seasons while staying in a similar region and job type.
If you like structured environments, nature, and a strong staff community, mountain resorts are a great fit. Many employers are set up for seasonal hiring and often include staff accommodation.
Best roles to look for: hotels and resorts (reception, housekeeping, service), kitchen roles, spa/wellness support, guest experience teams.
Application timing: winter roles often need early applications, but summer alpine roles also recruit well in advance. If you want the best packages (especially with accommodation), don’t wait until the season is about to start.
How to choose your best destination (without overthinking it)
If you’re stuck between options, choose based on these three filters:
1) Do you want “work hard, party hard” or “work + calm lifestyle”?
Greek islands and parts of Spain are high-energy. Portugal and some alpine regions can feel more balanced.
2) Is accommodation included or realistic?
In peak hotspots, housing can make or break your season. Roles with staff accommodation (or strong support) are usually the safest choice.
3) Are you open to two seasons a year?
If you like the idea of doing this long-term, mountain regions with winter + summer cycles are one of the smartest paths.
Seasonal jobs work best when you treat them like seasons—not like random job hunting. Pick destinations with proven hiring cycles, apply before the peak rush, and prioritize roles that make the logistics easy (especially housing).