There is a house on the hillside between El Campello, San Juan Playa and Gizona (very popular for its nougat), about twenty minutes from Alicante, that is never rented out. It has a bedroom, living room, kitchen, bathroom and a five by three meter pool and runs solely on solar energy. Her host, Eva, offers workaways to anyone willing to help her.
That is, the price is discounted because it is not paid in euros but in the morning: painting, removing hay, cleaning up after horses, fixing fences, removing weeds and lending a hand with the outdoor kitchen. We have already talked about similar offers like Gredos Sanctuary. It has a different hook: just over an hour away is the sea and a swimming pool, always appreciated in summer. And what is the fine print? He doesn’t have that much.
A house, two horses and a dog. Eva, who speaks five languages fluently, says she runs a non-profit animal rescue project. According to Okediario, who picked up the ad, two rescued horses live on the farm, Aston IV and a dog named Punky and Jack. Part of the work is to repair damage caused by storms over the past two years. In fact, an orange warning has been activated this week due to strong winds and rain.
As you can read in the reviews, some volunteers said that this was their first workaway and they learned a lot from the animals. One spent two weeks caring for the horse in May while Eva was away and admitted it was more of a pet than a volunteer. Still, he says, the best part was spending time with the horses. There is a 5×5 meter wooden cabin with sea view, which will be used only in season.
model. WorkAway is defined as “a global cultural exchange and volunteering platform that connects travelers with hosts around the world who need help with various projects or household chores.” The work usually takes about 4-5 hours a day (25 hours a week). This is 60% of a full day. In exchange for that work on an organic farm, helping out at hostels and NGOs, or even childcare, gardening or language teaching, you can live completely free.
What leaves “free” out. The first is the fee. You must pay for a Workaway membership to contact Eva. Its registration page is now asking $69 a year for one person and $79 for two, 10 euros more than the 2025 rate. The car is second: the farm is isolated, without public transport, and it is essential to bring your own car. The food is another, logically, because it is not a full board, although there is a refrigerator with basic products from the farm and seasonal fruits and vegetables.
profile. According to the advertisement, it prefers couples or two friends and does not accept men traveling alone. Minimum stay is one week. Anyone coming from outside the European Union must apply for a visa themselves. It also requires good physical shape and manual work habits. A couple admitted in their review that they underestimated the heat, although they appreciated the treatment.
Volunteer or work in exchange for shelter? As we explained in the case of Gredos, Law 45/2015 requires that the volunteer be helpful and free, without material compensation beyond compensable costs, and through a volunteer entity, with a written contract and accident insurance. The not-for-profit project doesn’t solve this problem: it’s wise to request functions, times, costs and insurance in writing before packing your suitcase.
contrast Completely “free” exists, but it usually has one queue. Maybe you’ve read this: SEO/BirdLife provides accommodation, food, materials and accident insurance for ten days in Quintos de Mora. It has six places, and its program receives about 1,000 applications a year. The door is more open at Workaway, but you get in by paying a fee and assuming expenses.
How much space is left? The announcement was made in early October. Free dates are only visible within the platform, so we can’t say if it’s still available. But with the cold weather, demand drops: a house with a pool next to the coast without paying rent is a strong temptation when aiming for affordable accommodation. However, as we’ve already reviewed with cities that offer free housing and work, free is almost never “no strings attached.”
Moving hay at seven in the morning with a view of the ocean can be a great experience and has been reported by several volunteers. But work is a work, with a schedule. It is not a position without conditions.
Picture | Workway
In Xataka | Around 4,000 euros a month to work in a rural house and a free house: Empty Spain is full of opportunities
