How to get a seasonal hotel job in the Mediterranean

The short answer: apply from January to March for a season that starts in April or May and ends in October. EU citizens can simply apply and start. If you are not an EU citizen, you need a job offer first, and the employer and you then apply for a seasonal work permit or visa in that country before you travel. Never pay anyone for a job offer.

When to apply

Most Mediterranean resorts open between April and May and close in October. Hotels hire their seasonal teams from the start of the year, and the biggest wave of hiring is between January and March. Some jobs come up during the season too, when staff leave. Year-round hotels in cities and in Malta and Cyprus hire all year.

Who can work without a permit

Citizens of EU countries (and of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) can work in any EU country without a work permit. Greece, Croatia, Cyprus, Malta, Italy, Spain and Portugal are all in the EU. Montenegro and Turkey are not, and have their own rules.

Work permits for everyone else

If you are not an EU citizen, the employer usually has to offer you the job first, and the permit is applied for before you start. Some examples:

• Greece: seasonal work in tourism needs a seasonal work visa and permit (type Ε-6), based on a seasonal employment contract signed by an employer in Greece and by you (Greek government, Ε-6 permit).
• Croatia: a stay and work permit for seasonal work covers hospitality and tourism. Pay and conditions must follow Croatian law and the employer's collective agreement (EU Immigration Portal, Croatia).
• Malta: there is no special seasonal scheme. You need a residence and work permit through Identità (the government agency), endorsed by your employer (EU Immigration Portal, Malta).

The EU Immigration Portal has a page for each EU country, with what to apply for and where. Rules change, so always check the official page for the country before you sign or travel.

Where to find the jobs

• Hotel groups' own career pages. Large groups post their seasonal jobs there first.
• EURES, the EU's public job network, which carries many hotel jobs with the pay stated.
• This site. We list hotel jobs across the Mediterranean, and you can see the pay before you apply.

Stay safe

A real hotel never asks you to pay for a job offer, a contract or a "visa guarantee". Be careful with offers that come by message from people you don't know, that promise a visa for a fee, or that ask for money for training or a uniform. Check that the hotel exists and that the email comes from its own domain.

Common questions

When do Greek hotels hire for the summer?

Most hire between January and March for a season that runs from April or May to October. Some keep hiring into the summer when staff leave.

Can I work a summer season in Croatia if I'm not from the EU?

Yes, if a Croatian employer offers you the job and you get a stay and work permit for seasonal work before you start. The permit covers hospitality and tourism.

Do I need to speak Greek, Croatian or Maltese?

Not always. English is used in many resort hotels, especially in guest-facing roles. Other European languages such as German, Italian, French or Russian are often an advantage. The job ad usually says which languages are needed.