UK workers did Alps seasons for decades using EU free movement. That route closed in January 2021. The pathways that exist now are employer-dependent, but they are real - UK workers continue to work in Alpine resorts every season, particularly in Switzerland and through UK-operated chalet companies in France.
This guide explains the current routes clearly, without the outdated information that still circulates from the pre-Brexit era.
The post-Brexit landscape at a glance
| Destination | Route | Accessibility |
|---|---|---|
| France | Employer-sponsored work permit | Moderate - established employers manage this routinely |
| Austria | Employer-sponsored work permit | Harder - fewer established UK employer pipelines |
| Switzerland | L-permit via employer | Most practical - UK-Swiss bilateral; many resorts with UK history |
| Italy | Decreto Flussi via employer | Difficult - quota system, oversubscribed |
France: employer sponsorship required
UK citizens need a work authorisation to work legally in France. There is no working holiday visa available. The employer applies for a work permit on your behalf before you arrive - you cannot arrive and look for work independently as you could before 2021.
How it works in practice
- The employer files for a titre de séjour travailleur temporaire (temporary worker residence permit) or equivalent seasonal worker authorisation
- Processing time: 8-16 weeks (this is why returning employers matter - they know the timeline and start early)
- You cannot start work until the permit is issued and you have arrived in France with it
- The permit is tied to that employer - you cannot change jobs freely as a WHV holder could
Who hires UK workers in France
UK-based ski tour operators are the most accessible route. Companies operating chalet accommodation in Chamonix, Méribel, Val d'Isère, Verbier and similar resorts have been managing this process since Brexit. They employ UK staff (chalet hosts, ski guides, drivers, resort reps) and handle the French work authorisation as part of their standard onboarding. Apply directly to these companies from August onwards for winter.
French resort hotels and hospitality employers who have established international hiring relationships also continue to sponsor UK workers. These are typically larger properties with HR capacity to manage permit applications. A direct approach - specifying that you are a UK national and asking whether they sponsor - is the most efficient way to identify them.
Health cover in France
UK citizens have the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which replaced the EHIC after Brexit. The GHIC covers emergency and medically necessary healthcare in France at the same rate as a French resident. This is a meaningful benefit compared to non-EU nationals with no coverage. However:
- It does not cover mountain rescue
- It does not cover private treatment or repatriation
- For ski or outdoor activities on your days off, options like World Nomads cover mountain sports specifically - this is one of several providers used by UK seasonal workers
Austria: employer sponsorship, harder pipeline
Austria has no working holiday agreement with the UK. UK workers need employer-sponsored work permits. The process is similar to France but the pipeline of Austrian employers with established UK hiring relationships is smaller.
The Austrian resort areas - Tirol (Kitzbühel, Innsbruck, Mayrhofen, Ischgl) and Vorarlberg (Lech, Zürs) - have smaller UK worker communities than pre-Brexit. Workers who do secure Austrian positions typically do so through returning employer relationships or direct approaches to larger resort hotels.
The GHIC covers emergency healthcare in Austria on the same basis as France.
Switzerland: the most accessible route for UK workers
Switzerland is not an EU member and has its own bilateral agreements with both the UK and the EU. UK citizens working in Switzerland go through the L-permit (short-stay work permit) system, but Swiss employers have continued to hire UK workers at relatively consistent volumes post-Brexit.
Why Switzerland works better
- Switzerland had independent bilateral agreements with the UK before Brexit (separate from EU arrangements)
- Swiss resort employers - particularly in Verbier, Zermatt, St. Moritz and Davos - have long histories of hiring UK workers and have maintained those relationships
- The employer handles the permit application; as a worker, your main task is securing the job offer
The L-permit process for Switzerland:
- Secure a job offer from a Swiss employer
- Employer applies for the L-permit through the cantonal migration authority
- Federal quota slot required (approximately 4,500 non-EU seasonal permits nationally in 2025)
- Permit issued; you arrive and begin work
Swiss wages are significantly higher than French or Austrian wages: CHF 3,900/month entry-level. The mandatory health insurance (CHF 320-500+/month) offsets some of this, but net take-home remains higher. See the Alpine Seasonal Work Report 2026 for a full net income comparison.
Important: the GHIC does not cover Switzerland. You need private health insurance from day one.
For the gap between arriving and your first paycheck, options like SafetyWing cover you month-to-month with no minimum commitment, which is practical for the Swiss situation.
Italy: difficult
Italy's Decreto Flussi quota is oversubscribed within hours of opening each year. Without an existing Italian employer relationship, access is very limited for UK workers. The Dolomites and Livigno have sponsored non-EU workers in past years, but these are established relationships - not realistic for a first season.
Practical considerations
How returning employer relationships work
The single most important thing to know: most UK workers who do Alps seasons post-Brexit do so by returning to the same employer year after year. The employer has already done the permit work once; returning is significantly simpler. If you do one season successfully, maintain that employer relationship.
Chalet operator route for France
UK chalet operators with French resort operations are the most accessible entry point for first-time UK workers in French resorts. They manage the French work authorisation as standard. Operators typically recruit from August for the winter season. Competition is higher post-Brexit because this route is widely known among UK ski workers.
Banking
Swiss employers pay to Swiss IBANs - a Swiss bank account is close to essential. Neon is the most accessible Swiss digital bank for seasonal workers (English app, accepts L-permits, no monthly fee, can be opened remotely). For the gap before your Swiss account is set up, Wise or Revolut with mid-market GBP-CHF exchange rates gives you a working card immediately.
For France, Austria and Italy, UK bank accounts with no foreign transaction fees (Starling, Monzo) work for daily use. See the banking guide for full country-by-country detail.
UK driving licence
A UK driving licence is valid in all Alpine countries. The DVLA licence format is recognised in Switzerland, France, Austria and Italy. No International Driving Permit is required.
A Swiss Motorway Vignette (CHF 40/year) is required if you drive on Swiss motorways.
UK taxes while abroad
Working abroad does not automatically make you a non-UK-resident for tax purposes. If you remain UK tax resident, you file a UK Self Assessment return and declare your foreign earnings. UK workers on Alps seasons who have maintained their UK address and financial ties generally remain UK tax resident.
If you plan to be abroad for a full tax year and have cut ties substantially, you may be eligible for non-resident status under the Statutory Residence Test - worth reviewing with a UK accountant before you go.
In the Alpine country where you work, you pay local income tax and may be entitled to a refund. See the tax refund guide for the process in each country.
Useful links
- French work permit information: diplomatie.gouv.fr
- Swiss L-permit and seasonal workers: sem.admin.ch
- Austrian work permit information: migration.gv.at
- Work permits across all Alpine countries: full permits guide
- Wage comparison by country: salary guide
- Net income data: Alpine Seasonal Work Report 2026
- Banking in the Alps: banking guide
Partner disclosures
SafetyWing: We receive a commission when you purchase a SafetyWing plan via this link. We do not represent SafetyWing. This is not a recommendation to purchase travel insurance.
World Nomads: We receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.