Frequently Asked Questions — Workers

The duration of a job depends on the country’s visa regulations and the specific crop season. In Norway, a seasonal work permit allows you to work for up to 6 months within a 12-month period. In Germany, most seasonal contracts are for short-term employment, which is limited to a maximum of 90 days (approximately 3 months) within a 180-day period.

The minimum age for seasonal workers from Thailand and Vietnam is 18 years old. You must have turned 18 by the time the visa application is submitted. There is generally no fixed "maximum age," provided the worker is physically fit and capable of performing demanding agricultural tasks such as harvesting and manual field labor.

There is no official maximum age set by the UDI (Norway) or the BA (Germany). However, seasonal agricultural work is physically demanding, involving long hours of bending, lifting, and outdoor labor. Applicants must be in excellent health and physically capable of completing the contract. Additionally, our insurance providers for Thai and Vietnamese workers typically have a premium increase or coverage limit for workers over 60 years old.

In Norway, the minimum wage for seasonal workers over 18 is approximately 162.90 NOK per hour (for beginners up to 12 weeks seniority). After 12 weeks of experience, this increases. In Germany, the legal minimum wage as of January 1, 2026, is €13.90 per hour (gross). How you are paid: Your salary is paid directly into your bank account—usually once a month or every two weeks. For Norway, you must have a Norwegian bank account and a "D-number" (temporary ID). In Germany, a German or European bank account is required. Cash payments are generally not allowed to ensure transparency and tax compliance.

Your wages will be paid electronically via bank transfer. For security and transparency, cash payments are generally not used for seasonal labor. In Norway: You will need a Norwegian bank account and a D-number (temporary ID number). Your employer will help you apply for this at the Tax Office (Skatteetaten) upon arrival. Norway is nearly cashless, so you will use a debit card for all daily purchases. In Germany: Wages must be paid into a Euro bank account. If you do not have one, your employer can sometimes hold the wages for a short period or help you open a basic account. German law requires that the average monthly wage—including any "piecework" (performance) bonuses—never falls below the €13.90 minimum. You will receive a payslip each month showing your gross pay, tax deductions, and the final amount sent to your bank.

All genders are equally welcome and encouraged to apply. In both Norway and Germany, labor laws mandate "Equal Pay for Equal Work." This means that a man and a woman performing the same task (e.g., strawberry picking or vegetable packing) must receive the exact same hourly wage. Employers in these countries value workers based on their reliability, physical stamina, and work ethic, regardless of gender. Many farms specifically seek a diverse workforce to create a balanced and professional working environment.

The standard is 40 hours per week, which equals roughly 160–170 hours per month. In Norway: The legal limit for "normal" hours is 9 hours per day and 40 hours per week. During busy periods, you can work overtime, but it is strictly regulated. You cannot work more than 48 hours per week on average over an 8-week period. In Germany: The standard is similar (8 hours per day), but it can be extended to 10 hours if the average over 6 months remains 8 hours. For short-term workers (90 days), you often work more hours in a shorter time to maximize your earnings before the visa expires. All hours worked beyond the standard 40-hour week are considered overtime and must be paid at a higher rate (usually +40% or more in Norway).

In most cases, yes, you will pay a subsidized rate for accommodation provided by the farmer. In Norway: Employers can deduct a set amount from your wages for board (food) and lodging (housing). As of 2026, this is strictly regulated to prevent "overcharging." If the housing is a simple portacabin or shared room, the daily rate is approximately NOK 100–200, depending on whether cooking facilities are included. In Germany: The cost for housing and meals can be deducted from your gross wage, but only if you and the employer agree in writing. German law ensures you must always keep a "net minimum" in your pocket. The quality must be of "average standard" (clean, safe, and not overcrowded). Important: Under our Ethical Pledge, farmers are forbidden from making a "profit" on your housing. You are only paying for the actual cost of utilities and maintenance.

You are legally protected by health and accident insurance during your entire assignment. In Norway: Once you begin working, you automatically become a member of the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme (Folketrygden). This covers you for medical care, sick leave, and work-related injuries. Your employer is also legally required to have an Occupational Injury Insurance (Yrkesskadeforsikring) that covers you for accidents happening while you are on the job. In Germany: Most seasonal workers are covered by Statutory Health Insurance (Krankenkasse). If your contract is short-term (90 days) and exempt from full social security, your employer is legally obligated to provide private "harvest worker insurance" (Erntehelfer-Versicherung). This covers acute illness, accidents, and dental emergencies at no extra cost to your standard recruitment fee.

Yes, you will always have access to someone who speaks your native language. In Thailand/Vietnam: Our local teams in Bangkok and Hanoi are staffed by native speakers who will handle your training, contract explanation, and visa interviews. While Abroad: We provide a 24/7 Digital Helpline through our platform where you can chat with a support coordinator in Thai or Vietnamese. Legal Rights: Under the 2026 German Residence Act (§ 45c), your employer is legally required to provide you with information about "Fair Integration" counseling, which is available for free in multiple languages, including Thai and Vietnamese. You are never alone; if you have a problem with your housing, pay, or health, you can report it immediately through the app in your own language.

For agricultural work (picking berries, harvesting vegetables, or packing), fluency in the local language is not required. Most farmers and supervisors in Norway and Germany speak English well and will provide instructions in English. In Norway: While Norwegian is not required, having basic English skills is highly recommended so you can understand safety instructions and daily tasks. In Germany: There is no official language requirement for the 90-day seasonal visa. Many farms use international teams, and you will often find other workers who speak Thai or Vietnamese to help you during your first few days. Our Support: To make your transition easier, we provide translated work manuals and safety guides in your native language through our app. Additionally, your employer is encouraged to use visual aids and translation tools to ensure you feel confident in your role.

In the majority of cases, you will travel with a group of other workers from your home country who are assigned to the same farm or the same region. Group Flight & Transit: We typically arrange group departures from Bangkok or Hanoi. This means you will have colleagues to talk to during the long flight and during the transit at European airports. Pick-up at the Airport: When you arrive in Oslo (Norway) or Frankfurt/Munich (Germany), your employer or a representative from our agency will meet your group at the airport and provide transport directly to the farm. Working in Teams: On the farm, you will usually work and live in a small team (often 5 to 10 people). This provides a built-in community where you can cook, socialize, and support each other in your native language.

You are protected by a "Triple-Lock" system: Legal Protection: In Norway, the Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet) conducts unannounced farm visits to ensure workers have fair pay and safe housing. In Germany, the 2026 updates to the Residence Act and Minimum Wage Act mean any employer found overcharging for housing or underpaying wages faces massive fines and a permanent ban from hiring international workers. The Ethical Handshake: Every employer on our platform has signed a legally binding Fair Recruitment Pledge. This includes the "Employer Pays Principle," meaning you are never in debt to your employer for your job. Digital "Panic Button": Our mobile app includes a 24/7 native-language helpline. If you feel unsafe, if your housing is poor, or if your wages are incorrect, you can report it instantly. Our agency acts as your advocate and can move you to a different farm if an employer violates our ethical standards.

We strictly follow the "No Recruitment Fee" policy. You are not required to pay anything upfront to our agency or the employer to sign a contract or receive a job offer. Recruitment & Placement: These costs are covered 100% by your employer. Visa Fees & Flights: Under our Ethical Pledge, the employer covers the costs of your visa application and your round-trip flight. In some cases, you may need to pay the visa fee at the embassy yourself for administrative reasons, but this is fully reimbursed by the employer upon your arrival or with your first paycheck. Personal Documents: The only costs you are responsible for are your own personal documents, such as obtaining or renewing your Passport, getting a criminal record check (if required), and any local travel within your home country to attend interviews or medical check-ups. Warning: If anyone—whether an agent, a middleman, or a supervisor—asks you for a "deposit," "security fee," or "processing fee" to guarantee your spot, please report it immediately through our app's Grievance Hotline.