Key takeaways
- ✓The Med charter season runs roughly from May to October, peaking in July and August.
- ✓Hiring is busiest from March to May, when yachts leave winter refits and prepare for the season.
- ✓Palma de Mallorca and Antibes are the two biggest crew hubs; Monaco, Barcelona, Genoa and La Ciotat also matter.
- ✓The autumn boat shows (Cannes in September, the Monaco Yacht Show on 23–26 September 2026) bring daywork and new contacts.
- ✓Non-EU crew must plan their Schengen days — 90 in any 180 — before a long Med season.
The season calendar
| Months | What happens | Best for crew |
|---|---|---|
| Jan–Mar | Winter refits and yard periods; yachts prepare for the season | Yard daywork, relief engineers, early applications |
| Mar–May | Yachts leave the yard, crews are completed, spring boat shows | Peak hiring for permanent and seasonal roles |
| Jun–Aug | Peak owner use and charter season | Relief and last-minute replacements |
| Sep | Cannes Yachting Festival and the Monaco Yacht Show | Show daywork, networking |
| Oct–Nov | Season ends; yachts cross to the Caribbean or go into the yard | Deliveries and Atlantic crossings |
Where the yachts are
- •Palma de Mallorca — large refit cluster, many crew agencies and a busy daywork scene
- •Antibes — Port Vauban and the Côte d’Azur, home to many crew agencies and crew houses
- •Monaco — Port Hercule and the Monaco Yacht Show in September
- •Barcelona and Tarragona — refit yards and superyacht marinas
- •Genoa, Viareggio and La Spezia — Italian shipyards and refit centres
- •La Ciotat and Marseille — large refit yards for big yachts
How to get hired for the season
- •Have STCW, ENG1 and your CV ready by February — captains start shortlisting early
- •Register with crew agencies in Palma or Antibes and keep your availability up to date
- •Take daywork during refits: many permanent jobs start as daywork
- •Look for deliveries at the start and end of the season — yachts move to and from the yard
- •Be easy to reach and able to join at short notice
On Maritime Delivery you can mark your free dates in the availability calendar and set job alerts, so delivery and relief jobs in the Med reach you first.
Paperwork for the Med
- •EU/EEA crew can live and work freely in the EU; check social security registration with your employer
- •Non-EU crew: count your Schengen days (90 in any 180) and ask the yacht to arrange sign-on with immigration
- •Gibraltar, Montenegro, Albania and Turkey are outside Schengen — useful for planning
- •Keep STCW and your medical valid for the whole season
Frequently asked questions
When does the Mediterranean yacht season start?+
Roughly in May, with the busiest months in July and August. Many yachts leave the yard and complete their crew between March and May.
When should I look for a Med yacht job?+
From February to May. Captains fill most seasonal and permanent roles before the first owner and charter trips.
Where is the best place to find yacht work in the Mediterranean?+
Palma de Mallorca and Antibes are the main crew hubs, with many agencies, crew houses and refit yards. Monaco, Barcelona and the Italian shipyards are also important.
Can non-EU crew work a Med season?+
Yes, but they must manage their Schengen 90/180-day allowance and be signed on correctly with immigration when they join a yacht.
Sources
- Monaco Yacht Show — official website
- Dockwalk — When and where to be for yacht crew jobs
- UKSA — Yachting season guide
- Dockwalk — Yacht crew recruitment agencies in Palma
- Dockwalk — Yacht crew recruitment agencies in Antibes
- Caribbean yacht season crew jobs (Maritime Delivery guide)
- Schengen 90/180 rule for yacht crew (Maritime Delivery guide)
- Dayworking on yachts (Maritime Delivery guide)
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