Working in temporary employment abroad: what is it, why would you do it, and where is the best place to go?

What is working in temporary employment abroad like?

• Working through a temporary employment agency abroad means flexible work for various employers, often for short or medium-term periods.
• An employee is sent out, scheduled, sometimes called last-minute ("Can you start tomorrow?"), and regularly moved on to the next job.
• Temporary work is common in sectors such as hospitality, logistics, production, agriculture, technology, healthcare, and customer service.
• It's popular among backpackers, expats, students, and people who want to start quickly without lengthy application procedures.
• The tasks are incredibly varied! Work can be done for the government as a project worker, or during festival setup. These include:
  • Work in hospitality, hotels, festivals, or events.
  • Production and factory work.
  • Logistics: warehouse, order picking, transport.
  • Seasonal work in agriculture or tourism.
  • Administrative or customer service positions.
  • Technical or operational work.
• You often learn the job on the job, sometimes with a short (online or offline) tutorial, sometimes with a "you will figure it out."
• Working Conditions:
  • Generally, this involves paid work, often with short-term (from a few hours to a few months) and flexible contracts.
  • Salaries are based on local standards, so this varies greatly from country to country.
  • Sometimes housing is arranged through the agency.
  • Depending on the type of work, working hours can be irregular.
• Job security is flexible, just like you. You will usually quickly find out if that's something you are interested in.

What are the reasons for working in temporary employment abroad?

• To develop flexibility: you learn to manage varying working hours, tasks, and employers.
• To increase independence: you quickly arrange work, income, and often even your accommodation.
• To develop stress resistance: new places, new people, new expectations—sometimes all at once.
• To strengthen your focus on results: you will be assessed on dedication and reliability, so you'll quickly learn to focus on what matters in the job.
• To expand your network: every agency and every workplace is a new contact.

What skills and motivations do you need to work in temporary employment abroad?

• Flexibility: it’s important to be willing to adapt and pivot quickly.
• Patience: not every job is the dream job, but it is a stepping stone.
• Collaboration: quickly finding a place in ever-changing teams is important for well being and good teamwork.
• Sense of responsibility: being on time and keeping appointments is crucial, especially to get more work.
• Independence: you have to manage your own administration, scheduling, and sometimes housing.
• Stress resistance: the type of work comes with uncertainty and fluctuating income.

What are the best countries and locations to work in temporary employment abroad?

• Countries with big, professional temp work agencies: the Netherlands, Germany, the UK, Japan, the US. 
• Countries with a high volume of seasonal and temporary work: France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Thailand, South Africa.
• Countries popular with backpackers and working holidaymakers: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, and Europe.
• Countries with upcoming markets for temp work: India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Mexico, Brazil.
• Countries with temp work connected to international organisations or projects: UAE, Qatar, Singapore, Ghana, Kenya.

What are the risks of working in temporary employment abroad, and are you insured against those risks? 

• What are the risks of working in temporary employment abroad?
  • Physically demanding work is common: long days of standing, lifting, or repetitive movements. Job security is often limited: contracts can suddenly end or change.
  • Medical care is often expensive, especially with temporary contracts without supplementary coverage.
  • Insurance policies often exclude agency work, especially with paid work without a permanent contract.
  • Accidents are common: cuts, falls, or muscle injuries can easily happen in new jobs.
• Are you insured while working in temporary employment abroad?
  • There may be several reasons why you need separate insurance when working abroad.
  • Local employers generally offer limited or no supplementary insurance.
  • There's a risk of accidents, for example, because you're doing work with which you have little experience.
  • During work, internships, or volunteering abroad where you receive compensation or a salary, your own health insurance coverage in your home country may be cancelled.
  • See the pages on: insuring international Insurances for working abroad, for internships abroad, for volunteering abroad, or for expats and emigrants.