A basic freedom of European citizens is the right to work in any member state. (See Your Rights in Europe). This means that as an EU citizen you can look for work and apply for jobs in any EU country providing you have the skills and qualifications needed. There are local, national and international agencies who can help you in your job search and many publications and resource material to give you all the background information you need.
| Starting points: Most jobs require you to have recognised qualifications or experience and sufficient language skills to do the job properly. This section looks at the skills you need and the things to consider before you begin your job search.
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| Routes to employment: There are three main routes to employment. This section looks at those routes and suggests some job search strategies that you can use. |
| Contacts and Sources of Information: If you are looking for a job abroad it is difficult to know where to go for information and who to ask. This section gives a brief description of the organisations and sources of information that can help you. |
 Starting points
For a successful job search in another EU country you usually need good or reasonable language skills to cope with the job you want to do. Some jobs may offer language training but most employers will expect you to have some knowledge of the language when you apply.
You will also need the right qualifications to do the job. A careers adviser at your local careers office can advise you about qualifications. They may contact a Comparability Officer for help on your behalf. Comparability Officers compare similar jobs in different countries. They provide comparability tables showing how your qualifications correspond to those in another country.
It is an advantage to have some knowledge of the country you are going to. Cultures, customs, lifestyles and working practices are different in other countries so it is worth doing some research about all of these to make sure the country is right for you. A free booklet called 'Living in Europe - a handbook for Europeans', from the European Commission, gives a useful description of the situation.
You will not need a work permit but if you stay in the country for more than three months you will need a residence permit.
It is important to remember that a job abroad may be appealing but it is not an easy option. Wherever you apply in the EU, there will be a lot of competition for jobs and in most cases you will be competing against local applicants.
Routes to Employment and Job Search Strategies
Routes to employment:
Long-term employment
This can be with a UK-based company that has European links, with an international company or with a foreign employer running a business or a service.
Short-term employment
This includes all forms of temporary work, seasonal or vacation work and voluntary work. It is a good introduction to the job market in another country. It can lead to permanent employment, provide you with an interesting learning experience or be used as a means to improve your language ability.
Self-employment
As a self-employed person you may need to follow particular national regulations. Use the relevant Embassy or Department of Employment to find out more if you are interested in this career route.
Job Search Strategies
- Find out about the labour market and employment services in your chosen country. There may be certain job skill shortages.
- Ask a careers officer to do a job search of international vacancies on the NATVACS database at the Job Centre. This database lists any European vacancies that are not filled at national level.
- Approach companies on a speculative basis to see if there are any jobs that suit your skills. Use company directories found in the reference section of large libraries to find out the names of recognised national and international companies.
- Check out the job section in national newspapers that regularly advertise overseas appointments. If you are another country, look in local newspapers for job advertisements.
- If you have the opportunity to go to a country to look for work, then you are entitled to use the national employment service. State employment offices in other countries are similar to the UK Job Centres and they advertise a range of vacancies. Some agencies offer extra support for foreign nationals who are looking for full-time or casual work.
- In nearly all countries there are private recruitment agencies. They are listed in the local yellow pages. They may help you to find temporary or casual work. (See also Job Search Strategies for general job search methods that apply to any situation).
Contacts and Sources of Information
Agencies
- Local Careers Services: They can find out what is available and help you prepare an action plan. They will also look at some of the basic issues such as qualifications, language needs and job availability. Local centres have access to national career advisory groups and international databases that advertise job vacancies.
- Careers Europe, a national careers centre has a wealth of useful information relating to individual countries. Contact them direct at: Careers Europe, Midland House, Cheapside, Bradford BD1 4JA
- National State Employment Agencies: These are located in all EU countries and most are happy to send you information about job prospects in their country. Some state agencies have departments that are designed to answer queries from foreign job seekers.
- Chambers of Commerce: These are international organisations that are locally based and have close links with local trade and industry. Although they are unlikely to provide job vacancies, they can provide information about local businesses.
- Embassies or Consulates: Most will provide background information about their own country some of which is relevant to job seekers.
- The Department of Trade and Industry: This government department provides advice about self-employment and contact addresses of professional bodies. If you have a professional qualification, then the appropriate professional body can tell you if it will be recognised in another country. Contact Ashdown House, 123 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6RB
- The Department of Social Security, Overseas Branch: This Department deals with employment issues and benefits for those preparing to or thinking about working abroad. Contact DSS, Overseas Branch, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE98 1YX.
- The Federation of Recruitment & Employment Services, FRES: This agency can provide addresses of UK agencies that specialise in international recruitment.
Contact FRES, 36-38 Mortimer Street, London W1N 7RB.
Sources of information
- Company directories: such as 'Kompass' or 'Who owns whom' are available in large city libraries. They have lists of national and international companies that you can contact on a speculative basis.
- National newspapers: these often advertise jobs abroad. Most have a special job supplement once a week. Overseas Job Express, is a newspaper specialising in articles on working abroad and advertising job vacancies. It is available on subscription from PO Box 22, Brighton, BN1 6HT. The European is a weekly newspaper that provides an opportunity for anyone to freely advertise their skills.
- Publications: there are several useful publications that provide advice about European careers. Check out 'The Directory of Jobs and Careers Abroad' by Vacation Work, 'How to Spend a Year Abroad' by How to Books, both available through bookshops, and 'Working Holidays' published by the Central Bureau, Seymour Mews House, Seymour Mews, London W1H 9PE.
Careers Europe, (see agencies above) provides a selection of useful fact sheets and booklets relating to individual countries. Your Careers Adviser may have copies of their information or you can contact them direct at: Careers Europe, Midland House, Cheapside, Bradford BD1 4JA
- The European Commission UK Office: provides a range of written material for background reading. Popular titles include 'Living in Europe - a handbook for Europeans', 'The Right to Work in A Member State' and' A Career in the Commission of the European Communities'. For a full publication list, write to 8 Storey's Gate, London SW1P 3AT
Other sources of help
- Local connections, friends or relatives in your chosen country.
- Twin town links or school twinning contacts.
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