Record Number of Moroccan Workers Granted EU Seasonal Permits in 2023

In total, 191,840 foreign nationals obtained a seasonal work permit in the European Union (EU) in 2023, an increase of 22.6% compared to 2022. According to Eurostat, the European Commission’s statistical office, this is the highest number ever recorded, reports Schengen News.

A total of 58,547 Moroccans obtained temporary work permits in the European Union (EU) in 2023, representing 30.5% of all foreign nationals authorized to reside there for seasonal work. They far outpace Bangladeshis, who rank second with 29,249 seasonal work permits, or 15.2% of the total. Indians (22,498), Ukrainians (8,693) and Serbs (6,841) complete the top 5 main beneficiaries of work permits.

According to Eurostat, five EU countries dominate the granting of temporary work permits to foreign nationals in 2023, with a share of 80.8%. With 73,536 authorizations, or 41.5% of the total number issued, Italy is at the top of the ranking. It is followed by France (37,354 work permits, or 19.5%). Croatia (17,869 / 9.3%) and Spain (12,554 / 6.5%) then come. Finland (7,842 authorizations, or 4.1%) completes the top 5. With only 99, Belgium is among the countries that have granted the fewest authorizations.

Eurostat also specifies that Spain, France, Germany, Italy and Portugal are the countries that offer the most seasonal work opportunities. Conversely, Luxembourg is the country with the least available positions for temporary job seekers.