Seasonal workers

•    If you are fully vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19, it is sufficient to present proof of vaccination or proof of recovery in German, English, French, Italian or Spanish. You can find out whether your vaccination is recognised in Germany and how many vaccinations are necessary at: https://www.pei.de/impfstoffe/covid-19
•    Your vaccination certificates are not valid in Germany if you have been vaccinated with Sputnik or Sinovac.
•    If you are neither vaccinated nor recovered, get tested for Covid-19 before entering Germany. You can either do a rapid antigen test (quick on-the-spot analysis) or a PCR test (analysed in a laboratory). Taking a self-test without official certification is not sufficient. You need evidence of testing.
•    Upon entry, this test should date back 48 hours at most.  If a transport company is used for entry and you have taken a PCR test, this test should date back 48 hours at most at the start of the transport. You need to pay for the test yourself. You can ask your employer whether he/she would be willing to pay for the test on a voluntary basis.

•    No. A quarantine requirement no longer applies at present.

•    Currently, you have to carry proof of compliance with the 3G rule (vaccinated, tested or recovered) with you almost everywhere you go up to and including 19 March 2022 and show it upon request. This applies to farm work, collective accommodation and to public transport (e.g. buses and trains). It is sufficient to carry with you proof of vaccination or proof of recovery. Otherwise, you need to present up-to-date evidence of testing. For this purpose, you can take rapid antigen tests free of charge at a public testing centre. A rapid antigen test must not date back more than 24 hours and a PCR test must not be older than 48 hours.
•    In some cases, you are only allowed to enter other areas such as shops (except for grocery stores and supermarkets) with proof of compliance with the 3G rule (vaccinated, tested or recovered).
•    The 2G+ rule still applies in a few areas, there you also need an up-to-date proof of testing in addition to proof of vaccination and proof of recovery.

•    When at work, keep a distance of at least 1.5 metres from other persons.

•    Wear an FFP2 mask (also known as KN95, N95 orP2) or a surgical mask if you cannot keep the minimum distance of 1.5 metres, when walking in buildings and in all buildings and vehicles that are used by several persons at the same time.

•    Change your mask regularly and whenever it is wet. Use a new mask at least once every day. Your employer will give you new masks for work free of charge.

•    Your employer will decide who you will work together with. You will work permanently in fixed teams that are as small as possible; you will spend your breaks together and will drive to the field. together.

•    If possible, you will only share your accommodation with persons who you also work with. The principle of “living together – working together” applies. Wearing a face mask is not mandatory in your team’s living and sleeping quarters.

•    If you tested positive in a rapid test and you display signs of illness, you need to take a PCR test free of charge. In the absence of disease symptoms, a PoC-NAT test (with nucleic acid amplification techniques (NAT)), rapid on-the-spot analysis) will suffice.
•    If this test is also positive, you will then be subject to the local rules on isolation and you must self-isolate in your accommodation, stay there and not meet other people.
•    The isolation period lasts 10 days in principle. After seven days at the earliest and if you have been free from symptoms for 48 hours beforehand, you can get a second PCR test or a certified rapid antigen test. If you test negative for Covid-19, you are allowed to leave the accommodation again.
•    Please ask your employer what you specifically need to consider..
•    In case you have contracted Covid-19, you will continue to receive your wages, in any event if you have already worked on the farm for four weeks.
•    If you are already fully vaccinated, you will also receive compensation in the first four weeks.

•    You will continue to pay for your accommodation as a rule.

•    If you are covered by health insurance in your home country and have an A1 certificate, you are thereby also covered for your seasonal work. Please take your European Health Insurance Card with you.
•    If you are an employed person subject to compulsory social insurance in Germany, you are also covered in case of illness.
•    If you are employed on a short-term basis - which is possible for up to three months or 70 days - you are not automatically covered by health insurance.
•    As of 1 January 2022, you must have health insurance cover as a seasonal worker.
•    If you are not covered elsewhere, your employer will normally take out a private group health insurance policy for you. Your employer bears the costs in most cases. If your employer fails to do this, you must both agree to this beforehand.
Suggestion: Please make sure you find out about your health insurance status before entering Germany.

•    Please remember to have a paper version of your employment contract with you, if you have one!
•    As a harvest worker, you are, in principle, subject to German labour and occupational health and safety law. For more information in your language for example about how much may be charged for your accommodation see:  www.faire-mobilitaet.de/landwirtschaft

•    The minimum wage has been EUR 9.82 gross per hour since 1 January 2022. Piecework is possible, but at least the minimum wage must be paid for each hour worked in the respective month.
•    We would recommend that you make a note of your contacts and the number of hours you worked every day.

•    You need to report the accident to your employer.

•    If the accident happens at work, the agricultural accident insurance will cover treatment costs and possible follow-up costs.

•    As a seasonal worker, you can also get vaccinated in Germany.

•    Your employer must inform you about vaccination opportunities. If necessary the employer must release you from work for this purpose.

•    To be vaccinated, you must either take your signed work contract or a certificate from the employer, and also your valid identity document.

•    If your employer offers you vaccination during working hours or if you only manage to make an appointment during working hours, then you will still receive your wage.