By the start of 2026, circular migration between Senegal and Spain had gained real momentum. Coordinated by the Bureau d’Accueil, d’Orientation et de Suivi (BAOS — Reception, Orientation and Follow-up Office), hundreds of workers are heading to the fields of Huelva, Lleida and Murcia. With seasonal contracts of three to nine months, the programme is emerging as one of the most structured routes to legal mobility. Yet the public still does not fully grasp how it works.
BAOS’s central role in circular mobility
Overseen by Senegal’s Ministry of Labour and Employment, BAOS handles the recruitment of Senegalese nationals by Spanish agricultural employers. Unlike permanent emigration, the programme requires participants to commit to returning to Senegal at the end of their assignment. The arrangement lets workers gain international experience while keeping strong ties to home, and it keeps the flow of migration orderly between the two countries.
Earnings are up for the 2026 season
In line with the latest cross-industry agreements, the wage scale for farm workers in Spain has risen. Workers can now expect a gross daily wage of €47 to €55, varying mainly by region and by the physical demands of the work, from strawberry picking to grape harvesting and market gardening. With overtime at peak season, net monthly income generally runs between €900 and €1,200, and accommodation is often included in the contract.
Selection criteria and candidate profile
Access to the programme rests on strict nationality and skills requirements. Applicants must be Senegalese citizens aged 18 to 45 in excellent physical condition. Proven farm experience is essential to a strong application. Basic Spanish is not required, but recruiters value it highly. BAOS reviews applications rigorously, with the National Statistics and Economic Studies Agency (ANSD) and the Agency for the Promotion of Investment and Exports (APIX), and accepts them against annual quotas agreed with Spanish partners.
Application procedure and fraud prevention
Applications must go exclusively to the regional BAOS offices in Dakar, Thiès, Saint-Louis and Ziguinchor. Candidates must submit a handwritten application, a copy of their national identity card, a criminal-record extract dated within the last three months, a medical certificate and a detailed CV.
The authorities stress firmly that no private intermediary is authorised to collect applications or money on BAOS’s behalf. Any financial demand by a third party in exchange for access to a contract is treated as attempted fraud.
