Thinking of working a ski or summer season in Europe?
It may turn out to be one of the best decisions you have made career wise and for yourself personally.You will pack years of experience into a season’s work, enjoy great training and camaraderie, quite possibly make friends for life, improve your skiing (or learn), experience living/working overseas (possibly practising your language abilities) and return to the UK with more transferrable skills than you would have ever believed possible.
Why work a season
Many people who work a winter or summer season go on and progress their careers in travel – in all sorts of roles; from logistics and finance to catering and sales – especially now as travel is growing again.
Now we are outside the EU, there are rules and regulations around UK citizens working in Europe – and these must be adhered to. Failure to do so could land you in deep water and possibly even see you banned from entering any EU country in future.
You need to make sure that if you are employed to work in the EU, your employer obtains the right paperwork for you, usually a work permit and a visa. You may need to go for an interview at an embassy and/or have your passport stamped. You may also need to have a medical or an X-ray.
No, it’s not as frictionless as before.
But don’t let that put you off such an amazing rewarding experience. Just do your homework when it comes to choosing a responsible employer and ask them about these things.
Take a look at members of SBiT and see what they do to ensure they are compliant with local regulations. They know what they are doing.
If your employer is not up to speed or compliant with the local requirements, chances are nor are you.
It’s not worth the risk.
Not when a season can quite literally prove to be one of the best decisions you make.
Thinking of a ski or summer season in the EU?
Do it Right!
It pays to know how to make sure you are working legally and what a reputable employer should be organising with and for you.
Working a season, be it ski or summer, is one of the most fantastic things you can do. It’s on many a bucket list and for good reason; An amazing opportunity of a lifetime - in many cases life-changing.
Make sure it’s life-changing in the right way.
As the UK is outside the EU, you need a visa and work permit to work anywhere in the EU. If you don’t, you could face prosecution, deportation and issues re-entering the EU in future. So be wary of offers that look too good/easy to be true. It pays to know before you go what both you and a reputable employer should be organising before you depart and whilst you are abroad to ensure you are legal.
Using France as an example, here is what you need to know:
As a seasonaire, you should be actively involved in securing the correct paperwork to ensure you are legally employed BEFORE YOU TRAVEL. It is ultimately your responsibility, and is a red flag if your employer will not provide the above details & assistance.
Remember, ALL employment contracts must respect employment laws of your host country while you are working there, and this includes respecting minimum wages, and abiding by working hours and time off rules. For France see DREETS website for seasonal workers flyer
Look out for SBiT Employers
Researching your options or going for interviews?
Ask a potential employer if they are members of SBiT.
SBiT assists all our members with staying up to date with and following all the steps that you, and they, need to. Look out for this logo on their website or documents.
Not members of SBiT? Then ask your prospective employer if they are following all these mandatory steps. Don’t risk your opportunity of a lifetime becoming a route to prosecution or deportation, however ‘legit’ or established a company looks.
