Want to work for summer, not for life?
Every year, a lot of EU and UK newcomers to yachting turn up in the Mediterranean with exactly one plan: work for summer, earn well, travel, and see what it's like — not sign up for a career. That's a completely normal way to do this. The superyacht industry doesn't have to be a life decision; it can just be what you do with one summer.
It doesn't have to be a career move
There's a version of yachting advice aimed at people planning a multi-year career — working toward officer tickets, chief stewardess, head chef. Ignore that for now. If what you actually want is a good summer — decent pay, free accommodation and food, new places, a break from your normal life — a single season delivers that on its own. Make it work for what you actually want, not what the industry assumes you want.
How a single summer season actually works
Most one-season crew don't land a single fixed contract for the whole summer from day one. Instead, it usually looks like this:
- Day work first. Turn up in a crew hub, get your certificates sorted, and pick up paid day work — helping yachts prep, clean or provision — while you look around and get known on the docks.
- Temp or relief contracts. Yachts often need cover for a few weeks while permanent crew are on leave — a natural single-season slot that doesn't expect you back next year.
- A full-season contract. Some junior deckhands and stewardesses are hired for exactly one Mediterranean season (roughly May to September/October) with no expectation on either side beyond that.
Whichever route you end up on, the entry requirements are the same as for anyone else — STCW Basic Safety Training and an ENG1 medical certificate, sorted before you arrive. See our full Get a Superyacht Job guide for the step-by-step version.
What it pays for one season
A junior deckhand or stewardess doing a full Mediterranean season typically earns in the same range as any entry-level crew member — see our Salary Guide 2026 for current ranges by rank — plus tips, and with accommodation and food covered while you're aboard. Day work is usually paid a flat daily rate in cash or by transfer, agreed with the captain or head of department before you start.
A practical note for UK crew
If you're an EU national, working a Mediterranean summer season raises no visa questions at all. If you're a UK passport holder, it's worth planning around: since Brexit, UK nationals are limited to 90 days within any rolling 180-day period inside the Schengen Area (which covers France, Spain, Italy, Greece and Croatia). A full Med season can run close to that limit, so check current Schengen guidance for your situation and ask your agent or captain how your specific itinerary affects it — this is genuinely worth getting right before you commit to a full-season contract.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to commit to a yachting career to try it?
No. A large share of people who show up in Antibes or Palma in April are just there to work for summer — not to decide their next ten years. You can do a single season, or even a few weeks of day work, and walk away with no obligation to come back.
What is 'day work'?
Day work is informal, paid-by-the-day work — helping a yacht prep for charter, deep-clean after guests leave, or cover a busy period — without a fixed contract. It's how a lot of newcomers earn while dock-walking, and it's often the fastest way into a longer summer placement if one comes up.
Can UK crew work a full Mediterranean summer season?
It needs a bit more planning than for an EU national. Since Brexit, UK passport holders are non-EU nationals and are generally limited to 90 days within any 180-day period inside the Schengen Area (which covers France, Spain, Italy, Greece and Croatia). A full Med season can run close to or beyond that window, so check current Schengen guidance and talk to your agent or captain about how your specific programme and itinerary affect your allowance — don't assume it isn't an issue.
Do EU nationals have any restrictions?
No — EU/EEA nationals have the right to live and work anywhere in the EU, including a full Mediterranean season, without a visa or day-limit to worry about.
What if I end up loving it?
Plenty of people who plan on 'just one summer' end up staying for years — there's no rule against it. Equally, plenty do exactly one season, bank the savings, and go back to whatever they were doing before. Both are completely normal outcomes.
Sort your certificates before you go
STCW and ENG1 are the same whether you're planning one summer or a full career. Compare training providers and book before you travel.