Fruit Picking Jobs in Poland – Fruit Picker, Farm Worker & Seasonal Harvest Jobs | How to Apply

Poland is the biggest apple producer in the European Union and also grows huge amounts of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, cherries and currants. During the harvest, farms need thousands of extra workers, and they have traditionally relied on seasonal workers from abroad. The orchards around Grójec, south of Warsaw, are often called “the largest orchard in Europe”. For foreign workers, fruit picking in Poland is one of the more accessible seasonal jobs in the EU.

Poland has a special seasonal work permit (type S) for agriculture, horticulture and tourism, which allows work for up to 9 months in a calendar year. The Polish farm or agency applies for it, and then the worker gets a visa. Indian citizens can use this route, but employers usually have to show they could not find local workers. This guide explains the job, real pay in rupees, the permit steps, and how to avoid fake agents who sell “Poland farm visas”.

What Does a Fruit Picker in Poland Do?

Fruit pickers harvest ripe fruit carefully and place it in boxes, punnets or crates. The work changes with the crop and season. Some farms also need workers for sorting, packing and simple farm maintenance.

Common daily tasks

• •Picking apples, pears, cherries, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries or currants
• •Sorting fruit by size and quality and removing damaged fruit
• •Filling and carrying crates and punnets to collection points
• •Using ladders or platforms in apple and pear orchards
• •Helping in packing sheds with grading and packing
• •Weeding, pruning and other simple field work
• •Following hygiene rules for fresh fruit

Main harvest seasons in Poland

• •May to July: strawberries
• •June to July: cherries and sour cherries
• •July to September: raspberries, blueberries and currants
• •August to November: apples and pears, the biggest harvest
• •Winter and early spring: pruning in orchards, fewer workers needed

A typical day in an apple orchard

The team gathers at around 7 am, collects picking buckets and gets assigned rows. Pickers fill their buckets, gently empty them into large crates, and a supervisor checks the quality and records each crate. There is a lunch break around midday. Work stops earlier if it rains heavily. At the end of the day, crates are loaded onto tractors and taken to the cold store.

Eligibility Checklist

Why this is in 10th Pass Jobs: fruit picking has no formal education requirement, but basic reading and simple English help with contracts, safety and daily instructions.

How the seasonal work permit works

1. Employer applies: The Polish farm or agency applies to the local district office (starosta) for a seasonal work permit. For most nationalities, including India, the employer usually has to show that local workers are not available.

2. Certificate for visa: The office issues a certificate (application entry), which the employer sends to you.

3. Visa: You apply for a Polish visa for seasonal work at the Polish embassy or visa centre in India.

4. Arrival and permit: After you arrive and the employer confirms it, the seasonal work permit is issued. Your total seasonal work cannot be more than 9 months in a calendar year.

Fruit Picker Salary in Poland (2026)

In 2026, the minimum hourly rate in Poland is PLN 31.40 gross, and it also applies to many civil contracts (like a mandate contract). Some farms pay per kilogram or per crate, but the hourly minimum must still be respected. Rupee values use 1 PLN ≈ ₹24.4 and are rounded.

Savings example: In peak apple season, a picker working 200 hours a month at PLN 32 gross earns about PLN 6,400 gross. After deductions, housing and food, a careful worker may save around PLN 2,500 to PLN 3,500 a month (about ₹61,000 to ₹85,000). Income is lower in short or rainy months, so plan your budget carefully.

Contract types on farms

Seasonal farm workers in Poland may get an employment contract (umowa o pracę) or a civil contract such as a mandate contract (umowa zlecenie). Both must respect the minimum hourly rate. An employment contract usually gives more protection, such as paid leave. Ask which contract you will get and read it carefully before signing.

Pay is usually settled every week or every two weeks on farms. Keep a small notebook of the hours you worked or crates you picked each day, so you can compare it with what you are paid.

Skills That Increase Your Salary

• •Speed with care: faster picking without damaging fruit earns more on piece rates
• •Ladder and platform skills: needed in apple and pear orchards
• •Tractor or forklift experience: drivers are paid more than pickers
• •Pruning skills: can extend your work into winter and spring
• •Basic Polish: helps you talk to farmers and become a team leader
• •Reliability: good workers are often invited back the next season

Where Fruit Picking Jobs Are in Poland

• •Grójec and Warka (Mazovia): Europe’s largest apple-growing area
• •Lublin region: raspberries, currants, apples and cherries
• •Łódź region: apples, berries and vegetables
• •Świętokrzyskie (Sandomierz): apples, cherries and plums
• •Greater Poland and Kuyavia: berries and field crops
• •Lesser Poland (Łącko area): orchards in hilly areas

Cost of living on farms

Farm workers often live in shared rooms, containers or houses on or near the farm. Some farms provide housing free or cheaply, while others deduct a monthly amount. Food costs about PLN 800 to PLN 1,200 a month if you cook. Villages have small shops, but bigger shopping trips may need a bus or lift to the nearest town.

Useful Polish words on the farm

• •Jabłka – apples
• •Truskawki – strawberries
• •Skrzynka – crate / box
• •Przerwa – break
• •Woda – water
• •Ostrożnie – carefully

Benefits and Your Rights

• ✓Minimum hourly rate: PLN 31.40 gross per hour in 2026
• ✓Written contract: must be signed before you start
• ✓Equal pay rule: seasonal workers should not be paid less than locals doing similar work
• ✓Health insurance: through your contract or private insurance as required
• ✓Safe housing: employer-provided housing must meet basic standards
• ✓Safety training: for ladders, tractors and sun safety
• ✓Protection from illegal fees: registered agencies cannot charge you for job placement

Real Work Environment

Picking days usually start early, around 6 or 7 am, and can last 10 hours in peak season. Summer can be hot, while apple season in October and November brings cold mornings and rain. Work is physical, with lots of bending for strawberries and climbing ladders for apples. Teams often include workers from many countries, and supervisors may speak only some English.

Housing is usually basic and shared. Some farms are very well organised, with good kitchens and showers, while others are simple. Ask for photos of the accommodation and confirm what is included before you travel. Rest well, drink enough water and wear proper clothes and shoes for the weather.

Questions to ask before you sign

• •Is it an employment contract or a civil contract?
• •What is the hourly rate, and is there piece-rate pay?
• •How many hours per week in peak season?
• •Is housing free or deducted, and how many people per room?
• •Who pays for travel to the farm?
• •When does the season start and end?

Your first week on a Polish farm

On the first day, the farmer or team leader shows you the housing, explains safety rules and teaches you how to pick without damaging fruit. Your speed will be slow at first, which is normal. Drink water, wear a hat and sunscreen in summer, and use gloves and warm layers in autumn. By the end of the first week, most pickers are faster and more confident.

Berry Picker vs Apple Picker

Banking and sending money home

Some farms pay in cash with a signed record, but bank transfer is safer. If you stay long enough, ask about opening a Polish bank account. Always get a written record of hours and payments, and use licensed banks or money transfer services to send money to India.

Growth Path

How to Apply for Fruit Picking Jobs in Poland

Because the seasonal permit is linked to one employer and one season, plan your return travel in advance. Some workers return to the same farm every year, which makes the permit process faster and builds trust with the farmer.

Scams and Mistakes to Avoid

Also check carefully that the farm name and address in your permit match the farm you are actually going to. Different names are a warning sign of an illegal arrangement.

Documents Checklist

Tip: Fruit seasons start on fixed dates. Apply early, ideally 3 to 4 months before the season, because the permit and visa process takes time.

If a farm or agency does not pay you correctly or breaks your contract, you can contact Poland’s National Labour Inspectorate (PIP), which also helps foreign workers.

Frequently Asked Questions