Working in Palma: Yacht Crew & Refit
Everything you need to know about yacht work in Palma de Mallorca: crew roles, refit season, the STP shipyard, pay rates and the crew lifestyle on the island.
Why Palma?
Palma de Mallorca has become one of the most important yachting hubs in the Mediterranean, rivalling Antibes for crew opportunities. The city is home to STP (Servicios Tecnicos Portuarios), one of Europe's largest superyacht refit and repair yards, which keeps hundreds of crew employed through the winter months.
During the summer charter season, Palma is a major departure point for Mediterranean itineraries, with yachts cruising to Ibiza, Menorca, Sardinia and the French Riviera. The combination of year-round refit work and summer charter demand means Palma offers more consistent employment than almost any other yachting port. The city itself is beautiful, affordable by Riviera standards, and has a growing international community.
Roles available
Palma has strong demand for yacht crew and marine trades. The most common positions include:
💰 Typical Pay
Crew salaries in Palma follow international yacht rates: deckhands and stews earn €2,500–€3,500/month, experienced crew €3,500–€6,000+/month. Day work during refit pays €100–€180/day. Specialist refit trades (painters, electricians, carpenters) can earn significantly more. Charter tips during the Med season are a bonus. All permanent crew positions include accommodation and meals on board.
What you'll need
Requirements for yacht work in Palma are the same as across the industry:
📋 Common Requirements
STCW: Basic safety training certificate, mandatory for all commercial yacht crew. Training available in Palma at schools like IYT and Elite Crew Training.
ENG1 medical: Valid seafarer medical certificate. There are approved doctors in Palma who can issue these.
Right to work: EU/EEA citizens work freely in Spain. UK nationals need a work visa post-Brexit. As with Antibes, flag state registration rules can apply for non-EU crew on foreign-flagged vessels.
NIE number: Required to work legally in Spain. Apply at the foreigners' office in Palma.
Powerboat Level 2: Required for deckhands. Additional certs (PADI, food hygiene, WSET) strengthen your CV.
Living in Palma
Palma offers a better quality of life for yacht crew than most Mediterranean ports. Rent is more affordable than Antibes or the Cote d'Azur: a shared room in a crew flat costs around€400–€650/month, and the city has excellent restaurants, cafes and nightlife at reasonable prices. The old town (Casco Antiguo), Santa Catalina and the Paseo Maritimo area are popular with crew.
Getting around Palma is easy by bike or bus, and many crew cycle to the STP yard. The airport has cheap flights across Europe, making it easy to get home between charters or during time off. Mallorca itself is stunning, with the Serra de Tramuntana mountains, hidden coves and charming inland villages all within easy reach.
🏝️ Island life & days off
Mallorca is one of the most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean. On days off, explore the Tramuntana (a UNESCO World Heritage site), swim at Cala Deya or Es Trenc, cycle the Cap de Formentor, or visit villages like Valldemossa and Deia. The island has excellent hiking, rock climbing and cycling. Palma's food scene is thriving, from tapas bars in La Lonja to Michelin-starred restaurants.
Nightlife & social scene
Palma has a buzzing social scene centred around Santa Catalina and the Paseo Maritimo. Popular crew haunts include bars along the Lonja strip and the rooftop terraces dotted around the old town. The city has a cosmopolitan feel with a strong British, German and Scandinavian expat presence. The yacht crew community is smaller and more close-knit than Antibes, which many people prefer. Industry events, crew networking nights and the Palma Superyacht Show (June) are highlights of the social calendar.
When to start looking
Palma has year-round demand. The refit season (October–April) is when many boats are in the yard, so arriving in September or October is ideal for refit work. For charter season positions, start looking from March onwards. Day work is available throughout the year. The Palma Superyacht Show in June is a major networking opportunity. Having your profile on PeakWave means yacht managers and crew agents in Palma can find you whenever they need crew.
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