Finding a job in Europe : a guide for jobseekers.
Date: 2010-09-28
Institutions: Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion
Subjects: EU Member State, EURES, European Economic Area, access to information, dissemination of information, free movement of workers, migrant worker

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Update 
2010

Are you interested in the publications of the  
Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs  
and Equal Opportunities?

If so, you can download them or take out a free 
subscription at 
http://ec.europa.eu/social/publications 

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Commission’s free Social Europe e-newsletter at  
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http://eures.europa.eu

http://ec.europa.eu/social

Finding a job in Europe:

a guide for jobseekers

eures.europa.eu

European Commission

 
Neither the European Commission nor any person acting on behalf of the Commission may be held 

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Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2010.

ISBN 978-92-79-15976-3

doi: 10.2767/66727

© European Union, 2010.

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Working in another 
country  – set your 
sights on the future 

 An opportunity to develop new 
professional and personal skills. Learn 
a new language, add to your professional 

experience, and improve your ability to 

communicate with others. Living and 

working abroad is the ideal solution for those 

that want some ‘added value’ on a CV.  

 An increased understanding of other 
countries and cultures. Europe is a 
wonderfully diverse continent. Immersing 

yourself in life in another country allows you 

to discover new cultures and lifestyles, and 

of course lets others learn more about your 

own country.  

 Not sure if working abroad is right for 
you? Look into seasonal or temporary work. 
You won’t have to commit to a long-term 

contract but can still gain some valuable 

experience and meet new people.  

Learning new 
skills and gaining 
international 
professional 
experience can only be 
of benefit. This guide 
will help you set your 
sights on Europe. 

Living and working in another country is 

becoming an increasingly popular option 

among Europeans of all ages. More and more, 

people are recognising the benefits of gaining 

professional experience in another European 

country. Working abroad for some time can 

greatly increase your skill levels and increase 

your chances of finding a better job in your 
own country. The European Union’s Principle 
of Free Movement of Workers1  is considered 
to be one of the most important rights of 

EU citizens. It means you can move to any 

country of the EU, as well as Norway, Iceland, 

Liechtenstein and Switzerland. As a result, the 

opportunities for the motivated and mobile 

jobseeker are now endless and there are no 

shortage of experts who can provide advice 

and information along the way.

1 Do you need a work permit?
Some European citizens may have restricted access to the European labour market for a certain period, depending on when your 
country joined the EU. EURES can tell you which countries you can move to freely and which will require a permit. 

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Things to consider                 
before moving abroad 

Of course, the decision to move abroad is not to 

be taken too lightly. Here’s an overview of a few 

things you might want to consider before making 

the move.  

 Can you get a job? A good starting point 
when looking for a job abroad may be to look 

at your options and apply for jobs while still 

in your home country. Be sure to carefully 

investigate in which countries there is a 

demand for workers with your background 

and experience and talk to professionals 

who understand the labour market in those 

countries. Don’t forget, going straight into a 

career is not your only option. Mobility offers 

the chance for further education, professional 

training and internships, among many other 

opportunities. If you find you do not have the 

required experience for a certain position, 

look into studying abroad in order to gain the 

necessary skills, and introduce the possibility 

of learning a new language at the same time. 

 Do you speak the language? Some 
knowledge of the local language will most 

likely be required by your employer, and 

basic English will of course be an advantage. 

Consider taking a language course before 

you leave – even if it is not a prerequisite for 

the job, it will look impressive on your CV.  

 Will your professional qualifications be 
recognised? As long as you are qualified 
to work in your home country, you can 
work elsewhere in Europe. The Principle of 
Free Movement of Workers means that you 
should be able to practice your profession 

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in all EU and EEA countries, but be sure to 

check each job specification carefully – some 

employers may require certain diplomas, 

certificates, or other qualifications. 

 What about educational qualifications? 
There is currently no universal recognition 

of educational qualifications across Europe, 

meaning that an employer in one country 

may be hesitant to hire a worker from another 

country if they do not understand their level 

of qualification. The European Commission’s 

European Qualifications Framework (EQF) is 

in the process of being implemented. It acts 

as a translation device that aims at making 

national qualifications more recognisable 

across Europe. In the meantime, ensure that 

your CV is as clear as possible, highlighting 

what you have learned and how it is relevant 

to the position you are applying for. 

 Is your family moving with you? As a 
European citizen, you and your family 

have the same rights as national workers. 

They can study or work in your country of 

destination so have a look at options for 

them before leaving.

Who can help you 
find a job abroad?

You’ve decided to make the move and now you 

• EURES in cross-border regions. Working 

need some more information. There are plenty 

and living in two different countries is the most 

of resources available to you for help and advice 

common form of labour mobility and EURES 

throughout the process. 

 EURES, the European Jobs Network 
EURES covers all EU/EEA countries plus 

Switzerland and provides a range of services. 

• The EURES Job Mobility Portal. Provides 
job vacancy information in 31 countries, 

allows you to create a profile and register 

your CV, and gives details of living and 

working conditions across Europe. You can 

also get in touch with the EURES Contact 

Centre, the ‘one-stop shop’ for users of the 

portal who run into difficulties. So if you need 

assistance in creating an account, building a 

CV or searching for vacancies, for example, 

operates in cross-border regions throughout 

Europe. Information for cross-border workers 

is available on the EURES portal, and of course 

from your local EURES Adviser.  

 Private recruitment agencies. Whether in 
your home country or country of destination, 

private employment agencies can provide a 

wide range of information and an efficient job 

matching service. Their advisers can guide you 

through the different stages of the recruitment 

process. Before registering, check whether or 

not they charge for their services.  

 Online job search engines. A number of job 
search engines now allow you to create a CV, 

the staff of the Contact Centre are available 

build a jobseeker profile, receive notifications 

via chat, email, phone, or VoIP (Voice over 

of interesting job offers, and of course view 

Internet Protocol). Visit http://eures.europa.eu 

vacancies. Again, before registering, check 

for contact details. 

• A network of EURES Advisers. EURES has 
over 800 Advisers in 31 countries working 

with national Public Employment Services to 

whether or not there is a charge for the service, 

and verify the nature of the jobs posted. 

 European mobility networks. In addition to 
EURES, there are a number of other mobility 

provide mobility information to jobseekers. 

networks that you may find useful. For a 

They are available to contact by phone, email 

complete list of European mobility networks 

or through a face-to-face meeting.  

visit http://ec.europa.eu/contact-points.

Warning

Beware of agencies that ask for money before 

sending you a list of vacancies. This is illegal. 

Use a reputable network or organisation.  

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How can EURES help? 

EURES’ services are available free of charge to 

 EURES Advisers can:  

all European jobseekers – before, during and 

after the job search. EURES can provide you with 

the latest labour market information and advice 

• Recommend interesting opportunities based 

on your profile; 

throughout your job search.  

• Assist you with your job application; 

 The EURES Job Mobility Portal hosts 
around 1 million job vacancies from all over 

Europe, as well as thousands of registered 

employers. It offers jobseekers the tools to:

•   Create a profile allowing you to tag interesting 

sectors or countries, and receive email 

notifications of relevant job vacancies;

•  Build and maintain a CV in one or several 

language versions. You can also post it 

online, so it is visible to the 20 000 employers 

registered on the portal;

•  Search for information on living and working 

in your country of choice; 

•  Search for European Job Days and other 

recruitment events in your region using the 

• Pass on your CV to potential employers;

• Give you information on the living and 

working conditions in your country of 

destination; 

• Help you get settled in your new country by 

providing information on accommodation, 

social security, and taxes, for example;  

• Provide detailed information on schools and 

healthcare for your family. 

The contact details of your local EURES Adviser 

can be found on the EURES portal, along with 

more information on EURES’ services. 

Events Calendar;  

EURES events

•  Find the contact details of your local EURES 

Each year, thousands of EURES events are 

Adviser;  

•  Connect with other jobseekers and 

exchange hints and tips on job hunting, as 
well as and living and working abroad.  

 EURES Advisers are professionals you can 
contact for information and advice at any 

held throughout Europe, the most well-known 

of these being the European Job Days – the 

ideal environment for you to meet potential 

employers. In addition to European Job Days, 

EURES hosts a number of conferences, 

seminars and general mobility information days 

where EURES Advisers are on hand to provide 

stage of the job search and moving process.  

expert advice on finding a job in Europe. Check 

EURES Advisers have specialised expertise 

the Events calendar on the EURES portal for 

in the practical, legal and administrative 

aspects of European labour mobility. 

more information on events in your area.  

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Applying for a job

So you’ve found an interesting opportunity? 

Now you have to put together an application 

that makes you stand out from the crowd! 

Typically an application will consist of a cover 

letter and your CV, though some employers 

may require you to complete a standard 

application form. Remember – this is the first 

impression you make on the employer so 

spend time perfecting it. 

 The cover letter. This should state why 
you are interested in the position, what 

in your background makes you suited to 

the job, and what you can bring to the 

company. Make sure the language is clear, 

accessible, and straight to the point. 

 Preparing for an interview. This could 
take place in person or over the phone 

– either way, thorough preparation is vital. 

Bring any necessary paper work, such as 

your CV or identity card, just in case. 

• Know the company. Make sure you 

have researched the company you are 

interviewing with; show that you are 

familiar with what they do and what they 

are looking for. Prepare some insightful 
questions about the organisation and the 

position, to prove that you have done your 

research. 

• Know the job. The job specification is 

the best example you have of what they’ll 

be looking for in the interview. Do they 

The job application 
process

emphasise teamwork, the ability to take 

initiative, flexibility? Show that you match 

each of these requirements with concrete 

examples from your past experience. You 

have the skills they need!  

• Expect the unexpected. Difficult or 

unexpected questions may be asked and 

it is important not to panic. Prove that 

you can remain calm under pressure by 

taking a moment to consider the question 

and answering calmly. It doesn’t matter 

if you don’t know the answer; they’ll be 

interested to see how you formulate your 

answer and how you would go about 

finding out new information. 

 The CV. 

• List your most recent experience and 

qualifications first; 

• Use short sentences and positive 

language. Keep it relevant at all times;  

• Be sure to highlight responsibilities that 
are applicable to the desired job and 

use ‘active’ verbs; 

• Make sure your CV is factual, up-to-

date, and accurate;  

• Try to keep your CV to a maximum of 

two pages;

• Have the CV proofread by someone 

else, preferably a native of the language 

in which you are applying.   

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The EURES Job Mobility Portal 

Key sections 

On the main jobseekers’ page you can 

find information on working abroad, 

preparing for an interview, and settling into 

a new country. This section also provides 

information on the European Commission’s 

education and training opportunities 

throughout Europe.

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Create a MY EURES account. allows you 
to create and manage your CV in several 

languages, and in the Europass format if 

desired. You can also manage your online 

job search profiles and subscribe to email 

notifications of interesting vacancies. 

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Search for a job explains how to find a job 
using the EURES portal.  

Get help  is for anyone using the portal that 
runs into technical difficulties. The EURES 

Contact Centre team is standing by to 

answer your queries via phone, email  

or even VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). 

The Events calendar shows you upcoming 
events of interest in your region. Keep 

track of recruitment fairs or general mobility 

information sessions with EURES Advisers.

Living & working contains practical, legal 
and administrative information on mobility. 

Look up current trends in the European 

labour market by country, region and sector 

of activity. You can also view the Destination 

videos – short movies that provide a clear 

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overview of the living and working conditions 

in a particular country, available to all on the 

EURES portal. 

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Links will direct you to other websites 
dealing with European labour mobility, 

including national Public Employment 

Services, as well as a range of publications 

that will help to guide you through your 

search. 

New sections on the EURES portal 
Virtual Job Fairs A Job Fair in every 
sense, only it’s virtual! You will be notified of 

upcoming fairs by a banner on the EURES 

homepage, and you’ll be able to view the 

presentations of potential employers as well 

as submit vacancy applications and make 

appointments to speak to recruiters and 

EURES Advisers. 

Match and Map A tool that automatically 
matches the information provided in your 

online CV with the available job vacancies. 

The results of the search will show you 

exactly where to find the opportunities 

you are looking for. Match and Map will be 

gradually introduced on the EURES portal 

from 2011.  

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Moving and arriving 

It can be a daunting experience leaving your 

country and arriving in a new one. There are 

•  Social Security. All social security benefits 
linked to an employment contract in the 

administrative processes to familiarise yourself 

country are equally granted to all EU/EEA 

with, people to meet, perhaps a language 

citizens. Social benefits cover sickness 

to learn. You can contact your local EURES 

and maternity leave, unemployment 

Adviser for advice and information before you 

and family benefits, accidents at work 

leave.  

Here are a few tips from EURES to ease the 

process:

 Moving. 

•  Ensure all your loose ends are tied up 

and cancel any contracts with service 

providers;

•  Inform your local authority you are leaving, 

if this is a requirement;  

•  Change your postal address and leave 

your forwarding address for any mail that 

may arrive after you have left;

•  Remember to bring important documents 

with you – a valid passport, or identity card 

and visa, if required, for yourself and your 

family members.  

 Arriving. 

•  Housing. It is worth researching 

accommodation options before you 
arrive in your new country so you have 

an idea of areas that fit your budget and 

expectations.

and occupational benefits, invalidity and 

retirement pensions. Contact your social 

security institution before you leave your 

home country to obtain all the necessary 

information and the required EU forms.  

•  The European Health Insurance Card. 
This card is available free of charge to 

all citizens of EU/EEA countries plus 

Switzerland, and ensures that you will get 

the same access to emergency public 

sector health care (such as doctors, 

pharmacies, hospitals) as nationals of the 

country. You should still look into obtaining 

national health insurance in your new 

country as soon as you arrive.  

•  Taxation. European countries have 

concluded bilateral tax agreements to 

prevent their citizens from paying twice for 

the same activity or income in another EU 

country. Contact the relevant authorities in 

your home country for personalised advice. 

•  More information. EURES can give you 

more information on these topics. Visit the 

Living & working pages of the portal or 

contact your local EURES Adviser. 

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Mobility for entrepreneurs

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) provide 

the backbone of the European economy. 

More than 99% of European businesses are 

SMEs. They depend heavily on the ideas and 

motivation of entrepreneurs – so it makes sense 

that more and more European citizens are 

looking at setting up their own enterprises in 

another country.

For those interested in setting up a business 

elsewhere in Europe, here are some 

recommendations:

  Create a business plan. Ensure you know 
exactly what your business will be, how 

much it will cost to establish, the time that 

will be involved, and the administrative 

processes you have to go through. Don’t 

leave your plan until you arrive in a new 

country – it will be easier in your home 

country. Contact your local Chamber of 

Commerce, as many offer courses in 

creating a comprehensive business plan. 

  Familiarise yourself with your new 
country. Plan a few trips to your country 
of destination before the final move. Get 

to know the banking system, the legal 

and administrative practices, and the 

people and culture. Do you need to learn a 

language? Then enroll in a course in your 

home country so you have a good grasp of 

the language before you move. 

  Get advice from a fellow entrepreneur. 
Contact someone who has set up 

their own business in your country of 

destination. No one will be able to give 

you better advice than someone who has 

already experienced what you are about to 

do. Your local EURES Adviser may be able 

to put you in touch with a relevant contact.  

EURES has a network of peolple and 

organisations who can provide advice on 

setting up a business. Contact your local 

EURES Adviser for more information.

The Enterprise Europe Network helps small 

businesses take advantage of the open 

European market. As an entrepreneur, you can 

find a wide range of information from any of the 

572 member organisations across the EU and 

beyond. Visit online:  

enterprise-europe-network.ec.europa.eu

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Cross-border 
labour markets

A cross-border labour market is an area 

in which workers living in one country 

can commute daily or weekly to work in a 

neighbouring country. This arrangement 

is popular throughout Europe – more than       

600 000 people work in a different European 

country to where they live.  

There are several advantages to being a 
cross-border worker:   

In cross-border regions, EURES is available 

to:

  The labour market in the neighbouring 
country may be stronger than that of your 

  Match jobseekers with vacancies in a 
neighbouring country;

own;

  There is no need for your family to move 
with you, meaning partners can maintain 

  Provide information on living and working 
in two different European countries and 

help you with the legal, administrative and 

jobs and children can stay in education in 

practical aspects; 

  Monitor the labour markets in both 
countries, therefore providing up-to-date 

vacancy information to jobseekers.

their own country;

  Health insurance and social security in your 
home country can usually be maintained, 

making the process easier.

Of course, cross-border commuting does 

not come without some complications. 

Workers have to cope with differing national 

administrative and legal practices on a daily 

basis, but there are a range of services to help 

commuters with these issues.  

EURES operates in over 20 cross-border 

partnerships across more than 13 countries, 

bringing together Public Employment 

Services to meet the need for information and 

coordination between countries. 

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Where can you find EURES across Europe? 

 EU countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, 

France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands,  
Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom.

 EEA countries: EU-27 + Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein 

 Switzerland

 EURES in cross-border regions

Are you looking for the closest EURES Adviser?  
Go to http://eures.europa.eu

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The added value of EURES

 A personal, professional service

The more than 800 EURES Advisers across 31 

countries are experts in the area of European 

labour mobility. They are available to sit down with 

you and provide personalised advice based on 

your skills, qualifications, and desired occupation, 

ensuring support throughout the moving process. 

Visit the EURES portal for the contact details of 

your local EURES Adviser. 

 European Job Days

Since 2005, the European Commission and 

the move. Check the Events Calendar on the 

EURES have cooperated with a variety of other 

EURES portal for details of upcoming events near 

actors interested in labour mobility in order to 

you. 

organise the European Job Days. Throughout the 

first European Job Day season on September 

2006, 500 events in more than 300 European 

cities attracted thousands of jobseekers and 

Upon finishing their studies, graduates Agne 

and Remigijus from Klaipeda, Lithuania, decided 

employers. The success of these first events led 

they would like to gain some work experience 

the European Commission to decide to host the 

in a country where they could enhance their 

events each year.  

A European Job Day provides a meeting point for 

employers and jobseekers, as well as workshops, 

seminars, and debates in the area of European 

labour mobility. Participants can discuss their 

plans and address their questions to a range of 

experts including, of course, EURES Advisers. 

language skills and earn a good salary. While 

browsing the Internet, Agne came across 

EURES and decided to get in touch with local 

EURES Adviser Margarita Mankute. A short 

while later, Agne and Remigijus found themselves 

starting a new adventure in Norway, working for 

a contract cleaning company in a ski resort in 

Hemsedal, approximately 230 kilometres from 

There’s guaranteed to be something in these 

Oslo. Both Agne and Remigijus have found life 

events for every European interested in making 

enjoyable in Norway: ‘It’s a beautiful country 

the move. Check the Events Calendar on the 

with friendly people – we’ve had no problems 

EURES portal for details of upcoming events near 

settling in at all! Our EURES Adviser provided 

you. 

There’s guaranteed to be something in these 

events for every European interested in making 

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help at every step along the way which made 

the move as straightforward as possible!’

  
Endorsements

Employer

”Gem supports 29 different languages across our global client 

base which includes Microsoft, Clearwire, Cisco, Electronic Arts 

and King.com. EURES Advisers are very helpful in supporting us to 

find employees with specific language skills.” 

Marcella McKeever, Head of Recruitment, gem, Belfast, 
Northern Ireland 

Employee

“A medical student does not have a lot of time to gain experience abroad but EURES gave me the 

opportunity to realise my dream. Thanks to my internship in the United Kingdom, I not only improved my 

English and learned a lot about the British medical system, but I also met marvellous people who helped 

me to feel at home.“ 

Laura Zanisi, medical student, Italy

European Commission.

Finding a job in Europe - a guide for jobseekers

Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union

2010 - 13 pp. - 14,8 x 21 cm

ISBN 978-92-79-15976-3

doi: 10.2767/66727

This publication is available in printed format in all EU official languages, as well as in Icelandic and Norwegian.

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Update 
2010

Are you interested in the publications of the  
Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs  
and Equal Opportunities?

If so, you can download them or take out a free 
subscription at 
http://ec.europa.eu/social/publications 

You are also welcome to sign up to receive the European 
Commission’s free Social Europe e-newsletter at  
http://ec.europa.eu/social/e-newsletter

http://eures.europa.eu

http://ec.europa.eu/social

Finding a job in Europe:

a guide for jobseekers

eures.europa.eu

European Commission