Top Dog Abroad
Summer Season Abroad from Ireland: Zante & Albufeira 2027
Want to spend summer 2027 working abroad with people your own age? Top Dog Abroad is a Dublin-based working-holiday company that lines up bar, club and PR jobs in two resorts – Laganas in Zante, Greece, and Albufeira on Portugal's Algarve – for 18 to 29 year olds from Ireland and the UK. Whether you're in Dublin, Cork, Galway or Belfast, here's how a summer season abroad from Ireland works.
Summer season abroad from Ireland: the key facts
- Resorts: Laganas, Zante (Greece) or Albufeira, the Algarve (Portugal).
- Who: 18 to 29 year olds (most of our workers are 18 to 25) from Ireland and the UK.
- Experience: none needed – venues want people who are confident, reliable and good with people.
- Job offer: Your job is offered to you before you arrive in resort, and you're guaranteed a trial – after that, it's down to you to keep it.
- Support: a workers' group chat before you fly and a rep team in resort all season.
Zante or Albufeira: which resort suits you?
Zante (Laganas), Greece
Zante is where Top Dog Abroad started – we were founded by a close group of friends who worked a summer there. Laganas is the island's party resort, packed with bars, clubs and beach venues. Our season runs from the start of June to the end of August, with a minimum stay of one month (28 days), and the package includes an airport transfer. See jobs in Zante and our Zante working holiday from Ireland guide.
Albufeira, Portugal
Albufeira on the Algarve is our newest destination, with our accommodation between the Strip and the Old Town. English is enough – you don't need Portuguese – and your accommodation is linked to your job. You need the legal right to work in Portugal: Irish and other EU citizens can work there freely, while UK workers need the right documents, and our team helps organise them. See jobs in Albufeira and summer jobs in Albufeira.
Still torn? Read Zante vs Albufeira: where to work.
From Dublin, Cork, Galway or Belfast: getting there
For Zante, the only Irish airports with direct flights are Dublin and Belfast (Northern Ireland). So whether you're from Cork, Galway or anywhere else, if you want a direct flight to Zante you'll be flying out of Dublin or Belfast. For Albufeira, direct flights to Faro go from Dublin, Belfast and other Irish airports.
Flights aren't included in either package, so budget for them separately and book early once you know your dates. Airport transfers are included for Zante only.
From Belfast or anywhere in Northern Ireland? You're welcome in both resorts. For Albufeira, if you hold an Irish passport you can work in Portugal freely as an EU citizen; on a UK passport you'll need the right documents, and our team helps organise them.
Heading out with an Irish group
Being based in Dublin, we work with lots of people from home every summer – and you don't need a ready-made crew to go:
- Booking with friends: add their names when you book and we'll do our best to place you together.
- Going solo: lots of people do, and join the wider group from day one.
- Group chat: get to know the other workers before anyone flies.
- Reps in resort: our team is on hand all season to help you settle in and sort out any problems.
★★★★★
“From the moment I arrived, everything was made easy and stress free, and I always felt supported.”
★★★★★
“There was no pressure, no competition, and I felt safe and secure whilst working for them.”
Summer jobs in both resorts
What's available depends on the venue and the season, but across Zante and Albufeira we regularly help people into:
- Bar staff, bar backs and glass collectors
- PR, club reps and ticket sellers
- Shot seller
- VIP hostess
- DJ
- Waiting staff
- Security
Pay is agreed with the venue – it may be hourly, nightly or commission-based depending on the role. Browse Zante job roles and Albufeira job roles, or read Albufeira bar jobs and Zante PR jobs.
What's included and how booking works
In Zante, you get accommodation in a room shared with two other people of the same gender, an airport transfer, workers' discount wristbands, the group chat, reps all season and a guaranteed job trial. In Albufeira, you get the group chat, reps, a guaranteed job trial and the Albufeira wristband.
Prices depend on the resort and how long you stay – see Zante accommodation and Albufeira accommodation. You book online and can pay in full or in instalments with a deposit.
Not a J1 – here's the difference
A season with us isn't a J1 or a college work placement: it's seasonal resort work in Europe, close to home. Our summer jobs in Europe: J1 alternative page compares the two. Need a placement for your course? We can help you find hotel work in Zante for your college work placement.
Before you leave Ireland
- A passport that's valid for your whole trip
- Travel insurance for your whole stay
- Your EHIC (or GHIC if you're from the UK)
- Copies of your passport and travel insurance on your phone
- A European two-pin plug adapter – both Greece and Portugal use the euro and 230V
Caoimhe's budgeting rule: bring enough to cover your flight and accommodation until your first wages come in. More in what to pack for a season abroad and how to do a season abroad.
Summer season abroad from Ireland: FAQ
Can I do a summer season abroad from Ireland with Top Dog Abroad?
Yes. We're a Dublin-based working-holiday company, and our seasons are for workers from Ireland and the UK aged 18 to 29.
Which resorts can I work in?
Laganas in Zante, Greece, and Albufeira on the Algarve in Portugal.
Which Irish airports fly direct?
For Zante, the only Irish airports with direct flights are Dublin and Belfast (Northern Ireland). For Albufeira, direct flights to Faro go from Dublin, Belfast and other Irish airports. Flights aren't included in the package.
I'm from Cork or Galway – can I still go?
Yes – our seasons are open to workers from anywhere in Ireland. For a direct flight to Zante, you'd fly from Dublin or Belfast (Northern Ireland). For Albufeira, direct flights to Faro go from Dublin, Belfast and other Irish airports.
Can I work in Albufeira with an Irish passport?
Yes. Irish and other EU citizens can work in Portugal freely, without a work permit.
I'm from Northern Ireland with a UK passport – can I work in Albufeira?
You need the legal right to work in Portugal. UK workers need the right documents, and our team helps organise them.
Do I need to speak Portuguese in Albufeira?
No. English is enough.
Will I have a job before I go?
Your job is offered to you before you arrive in resort, and you're guaranteed a trial – after that, it's down to you to keep it.
Is the airport transfer included?
Airport transfers are included for Zante only. Flights aren't included in either resort, so budget for them separately.
Can I go with friends from home?
Yes. Add their names when you book and we'll do our best to place you together. Lots of people go solo and join the wider group too.
How do I apply?
Apply through our contact form – pick "Jobs" – or email bookings@topdogabroad.com.
Apply for summer 2027
Ready to book your summer? Apply through our contact form – pick "Jobs" – or email bookings@topdogabroad.com.