Concordia — reviews, conditions, salary 2026
Concordia (UK) is a charity founded in 1943. One of the largest operators of the Seasonal Worker scheme: places about 10,000 workers per year. Recruits mainly from Eastern Europe and Central Asia — Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are on the list, but the main focus is Moldova, Ukraine, North Macedonia. Base rate — £12.71/hour (NMW 2026). Application is free, you only pay for the visa (£340).
About the operatorHistory, charity status, registrationCharity since 1943
Concordia (UK) is a registered charity (charity number 305991), founded in 1943. The legal entity at Companies House: 00381668, incorporated on 10 July 1943. It was originally created to help with agricultural labour during World War II — volunteers helped farmers harvest crops while men were at the front. This makes Concordia the oldest participant in the seasonal labour market in the UK.
Registered office: 19 North Street, Portslade, East Sussex, BN41 1DH. The company has the status of a Private Limited Company by guarantee without share capital (a charitable company without share capital). This means that profit is directed to its charitable objectives and not distributed to shareholders.
Concordia holds an active GLAA licence with number CONC0002. This is confirmed through the public register of the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority. The licence allows it to operate as a Seasonal Worker scheme operator.
Charity status means that the company's profit is directed to its charitable objectives and not distributed among shareholders. This does not guarantee better conditions for workers, but it implies a different motivation compared to commercial operators.
From volunteering to seasonal work
Concordia was originally a volunteer organisation — hence the word "Volunteers" in its name. Before the Seasonal Worker scheme, the organisation coordinated international volunteer projects on farms and in community organisations. This experience gave the organisation unique expertise in the logistics of placing foreigners on farms. On Trustpilot, some reviews refer to volunteer programmes, not to the Seasonal Worker scheme — do not confuse them.
Welfare support
Concordia declares welfare support for workers on farms. This includes coordinators who visit farms and whom workers can contact with problems. How effectively this works in practice depends on the specific farm and coordinator. Some workers report good support, others say coordinators rarely appear. If the coordinator does not help — call GLAA directly: 0800 432 0804.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Legal name | Concordia (UK) |
| Companies House | 00381668 |
| Incorporation date | 10 July 1943 |
| Charity Number | 305991 |
| GLAA licence | CONC0002 (active) |
| Company type | PRI/LBG/NSC (charity) |
| Registered office | 19 North Street, Portslade, Brighton, BN41 1DH |
| GLAA licence | Active |
| Company status | Active |
Who it suitsRecruitment countries, languages, restrictions
Concordia recruits workers from a wide list of countries. The main focus is Eastern Europe: Moldova, Ukraine, North Macedonia, Romania. From Central Asia they recruit from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, but these are not the main recruitment countries. Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are not listed in the main list — check on the operator's website.
The candidate portal is available only in English. For Russian speakers this can be a barrier. If your English is limited, consider HOPS (Russian portal) or Pro-Force (Uzbek/Kyrgyz portal).
| Category | Suitable? | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Citizens of Kyrgyzstan | Yes | On the list of recruitment countries |
| Citizens of Tajikistan | Yes | On the list of recruitment countries |
| Citizens of Uzbekistan | Check | Not in the main list |
| Citizens of Kazakhstan | Check | Not in the main list |
| Citizens of Moldova | Yes | Main recruitment country |
| Citizens of Ukraine | Yes | Main recruitment country |
| No farm experience | Yes | Training on site |
Farms and cropsWhat they harvest, where they work
Concordia places workers on farms across the UK. The main sector is horticulture: Soft Fruit, vegetables, ornamental plants. Concordia does not work in the poultry sector.
| Crop | Season | What they do | Regions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft Fruit (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries) | May — September | Picking, sorting, packing | Kent, Herefordshire, Scotland |
| Vegetables (lettuce, cabbage, asparagus) | April — October | Planting, weeding, harvesting | Lincolnshire, East Anglia |
| Ornamental plants | Year-round | Care, repotting, packing | Various regions |
You will be told the specific farm and crop after the interview. Moving to another farm is only possible through the operator. Farms are located in rural areas — public transport is limited.
Concordia works with large farming businesses across the UK. As one of the largest operators (~10,000 workers/year), Concordia has access to a wide range of farms and crops. This increases your chances of getting a place, but also means that the quality of conditions varies greatly from farm to farm. Before signing a contract, check: farm name, region, crop, type of accommodation, accommodation cost, and guaranteed hours.
How to applyStep-by-step processFree
Applying through Concordia is free. The only expenses: visa (£340) and flight.
- Register on the Concordia website — fill in the application form at concordiavolunteers.org.uk. The portal is only in English. Provide passport details, experience, preferred dates.
- Attend an interview — usually online. Questions: motivation, physical readiness, availability dates.
- Receive a job offer — the operator will match you to a farm and send a contract. Read the terms carefully.
- Receive a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) — an electronic document for the visa application.
- Apply for the visa online — gov.uk, "Apply for a Seasonal Worker visa". Pay £340. IHS is not charged.
- Submit biometrics — at a visa centre in your country. Decision: ~3 weeks.
- Buy your flight after visa approval — not before.
If anyone asks for money for a place — it is fraud. The operator does not charge for employment. Report it to the GLAA helpline: 0800 432 0804.
What workers sayReviews, Trustpilot, common themes
The themes below are based on aggregation of public posts on Reddit, Trustpilot and Telegram for 2023–2026. These are representative sentiments, not individual quotes with attribution.
Trustpilot
On Trustpilot, Concordia has a rating of 3.0 out of 5 (checked April 2026). The number of reviews is limited. Reviews describe both positive experiences (good organisation, clear process) and problems (delays with CoS, insufficient communication when problems arise on the farm).
Positive themes
Concordia's charity status is seen by workers as a plus — the organisation is associated with a more ethical approach. Its long history (since 1943) inspires trust. The application process is described as organised and transparent. Some workers note good support from coordinators on farms.
Negative themes
Main complaints: insufficient working hours at the beginning and end of the season, delays in issuing CoS (which pushes back visa application deadlines), quality of accommodation on some farms. Some workers report that charity status does not mean better conditions on the farm — conditions are determined by the farm, not the operator.
Concordia was also mentioned in openDemocracy investigations (August 2025) about systemic problems with the Seasonal Worker scheme, although without specific accusations against the operator.
Overall picture
Concordia is one of the largest and oldest operators with charity status. As with any large intermediary, the experience depends on the specific farm. If there are problems — the Concordia coordinator on the farm, then GLAA: 0800 432 0804.
How much they paySalary, expenses, net earnings£12.71/hour
The minimum rate in 2026 is £12.71/hour (NMW, 21+). Some farms pay more for piecework. The guaranteed minimum is always £12.71.
| Parameter | Value | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Base rate (21+) | £12.71/hour | NMW 2026 |
| Working hours | 30–48 hours/week | Depends on season |
| Gross salary (6 months) | £8,300–13,200 | At 30–48 h/week × 26 weeks |
| Tax + NI | ~£1,200–2,800 | Part can be reclaimed via P85 |
| Accommodation | £50–70/week | Deducted from salary |
| Visa | £340 | One-time payment |
| Flight | £300–600 | Depends on route |
| Net earnings (6 months) | £4,800–9,500 | After all expenses |
Salary is paid weekly or bi-weekly. Open a UK bank account before arrival (Revolut or Wise). After the season you can reclaim overpaid tax via gov.uk — typical refund for a seasonal worker: £1,000–2,500, free.
Accommodation and living conditionsCaravans, cost, what is included
Accommodation is arranged by the operator or farm. Usually caravans or dormitories on the farm site. Cost: £50–70/week. Standard conditions: bed, shared kitchen, shared showers. Rooms for 2–6 people.
Quality of accommodation varies. If conditions do not meet standards — inform the Concordia coordinator. If that does not help — GLAA: 0800 432 0804.
Your passport must stay with you. If anyone takes your passport — that is a criminal offence (Modern Slavery Act 2015). Call: Modern Slavery Helpline 08000 121 700 or police 999.
Worker rightsMinimum wage, passport, complaintsKnow your rights
Seasonal workers have the same employment rights as British citizens:
- Minimum wage: £12.71/hour (21+). Piecework pay cannot be lower when converted.
- Working hours: maximum 48 h/week. Opt-out is voluntary.
- Holiday: 5.6 weeks paid holiday (pro rata).
- Payslip: right to a payslip.
- Passport: no one has the right to take it.
- Transfer: you can ask the operator to transfer you to another farm.
Where to turn
| Problem | Who to call |
|---|---|
| Underpayment, operator violations | GLAA: 0800 432 0804 |
| Passport taken | Modern Slavery Helpline: 08000 121 700 or 999 |
| Unsafe conditions | HSE: hse.gov.uk |
| Discrimination | ACAS: 0300 123 1100 |
The right to work is confirmed via an eVisa share code on gov.uk. BRP were abolished at the end of 2024.
Operator contactsWebsite, office
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Website | concordiavolunteers.org.uk |
| Registered office | 19 North Street, Portslade, Brighton, BN41 1DH |
| Companies House | 00381668 |
| Portal language | English |
Concordia vs other operatorsBrief comparison
| Operator | Recruits from CA | Type | Size | Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concordia | Partial | Charity | ~10,000/year | Oldest operator, since 1943 |
| HOPS | Yes | Commercial | ~12,000/year | Largest, Russian portal |
| Pro-Force | Yes | Commercial | ~2,500/year | Uzbek/Kyrgyz portal |
| Fruitful Jobs | No | Commercial | ~2,000/year | Just Good Work app |
| AGRI-HR | Yes | Commercial | Medium | Recruits from Kazakhstan/Kyrgyzstan |
| RE Recruitment | No | Commercial | Medium | Poultry only |
If you are from Kyrgyzstan or Tajikistan — Concordia is an option, but the portal is only in English. For Russian speakers, HOPS (Russian portal) or Pro-Force (Uzbek/Kyrgyz) are more convenient. Apply to several operators — it is free.
Frequently asked questions
Is Concordia a charity?
Yes. Concordia (UK) is a registered charity, founded in 1943. Profit is directed to its charitable objectives, not to shareholders.
Does Concordia recruit from Uzbekistan?
Uzbekistan is not in the main list of recruitment countries. The main focus is Moldova, Ukraine, North Macedonia. From Central Asia they recruit from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Check on the operator's website.
How much does the application cost?
The application is free. Expenses: visa £340 + flight. IHS is not charged.
What is the minimum salary?
£12.71/hour for 21+ (NMW 2026). For 18–20 year olds — £10.00/hour.
Is the portal in Russian?
No, the portal is only in English. For Russian speakers, HOPS (Russian portal) or Pro-Force (Uzbek/Kyrgyz) are more convenient.
How much can you actually earn in 6 months?
Net earnings: £4,800–9,500 after all expenses. Depends on hours and farm.
Do I need a BRP?
No. BRP were abolished at the end of 2024. The right to work is confirmed via an eVisa share code on gov.uk.
Where to complain?
GLAA: 0800 432 0804 (free). Modern Slavery Helpline: 08000 121 700. ACAS: 0300 123 1100.
Does charity status mean better conditions?
Not necessarily. Conditions on the farm are determined by the farm, not the operator. Charity status implies a different motivation, but does not guarantee better accommodation or more hours.
Can I stay in the UK after the season?
No. The Seasonal Worker visa does not give the right to permanent residence. Overstay = ban on future visas.