Schengen and EU countries offer a vibrant and challenging environment for non-EU nationals to work there. Every year, many skilled workers choose countries like Germany, France, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and many other countries to establish their future.
According to the available statistics, only alone in 2022, 3.6 Million work and residence permit visas were issued. Of these, 63% were issued by France, Spain, Italy, and Portugal. Belgium, France, Portugal, Germany, Italy, and Spain have mostly thousands of jobs available in the labor market.
In 2022, employment reasons were the most common reason for issuing residence permits in 14 Member States. The highest shares were observed in Croatia (93.3 %), Romania (73.6 %), Malta (72.8 %), Lithuania (71.5 %) and Slovakia (70.5 %), (see Table 1). Poland with 447,225 first permits was the main destination for non-EU citizens (mainly Belarusians and Ukrainians) entering the EU for work reasons. The next most common destinations for work were Spain (140, 034 permits) and Germany (81,795 permits). These three Member States issued more than a half of all first permits for employment reasons in the EU (53.9 %).
Astonishing facts and numbers about working in EU/Schengen countries (as per ec.europa.eu):
Top Work Visa Issuing Countries
France, Spain, Italy, and Portugal together issued 63 % of the single permits recorded in 2022, giving the right to both reside and work in the EU to non-EU citizens.
EU Blue Cards
82,000 highly qualified non-EU workers received an EU Blue Card in 2022, giving them comprehensive socio-economic rights and residence in the EU.
3.6 Million Work Visas
In 2022, 3.6 million non-EU citizens obtained the right to both reside and work in the EU through the single permit administrative procedure.
Current Jobs Availability in EU/Schengen Countries
Below are the countries with available numbers of jobs in EU countries. Please note it can change from time to time. The information provided is for an estimated overview captured at a certain period:
| Austria: 78,981 Belgium: 718,062 Bulgaria: 8,101 Croatia: 55,944 Cyprus: 3,055 Czechia: 70,218 Denmark: 2,538 Estonia: 3,891 Finland: 19,458 France: 653,131 Germany: 748,143 | Greece: 1,313 Hungary: 9,897 Iceland: 23 Ireland: 1,713 Italy: 48 (often goes up to thousands) Latvia: 5,984 Liechtenstein: 447 Lithuania: 1,835 Luxembourg: 2,877 Malta: 610 (often goes up to thousands) Netherlands: 124,238 | Norway: 23,921 Poland: 18,436 Portugal: 2,228 (often goes up to thousands) Romania: 23 (often goes up to thousands) Slovakia: 12,220 Slovenia: 5,392 Spain: 47,083 Sweden: 62,348 Switzerland: 23,683 |
Occupation-Wise Jobs in EU Countries
Below is the list of occupation-wise job availabilities. Please note this is just a general demand list, it can carry from time to time.
Freight handlers: 56,078 Nursing professionals: 54,040 Agricultural and industrial machinery mechanics and repairers: 50,592 Building and related electricians: 45,440 Manufacturing laborers not elsewhere classified: 44,004 | Cleaners and helpers in offices, hotels, and other establishments: 40,321 Cooks: 39,947 Heavy truck and lorry drivers: 39,348 Motor vehicle mechanics and repairers: 37,588 Social work associate professionals: 37,214 Waiters: 36,927 | Metal working machine tool setters and operators: 33,773 Secretaries (General): 32,110 Health care assistants: 30,047 Accounting associate professionals: 28,566 Plumbers and pipe fitters: 26,114 Shop sales assistants: 88,481 |
Switzerland work permit
Demand in Switzerland for international professionals has been increasing gradually with time. The country already recruits skilled workers from abroad in IT, Science, Mathematics, and Engineering fields. Swiss Employers have also started offering attractive salary packages and other relocation services to non-EU workers which is becoming popular among not only fresh graduates but also experienced ones.
Important to learn is:
- What types of work or employment visas are available?
- Work visa requirements.
- Work visa procedure in Switzerland and then in the country of origin of the applicant.
- In-demand jobs in Switzerland.
- Famous job portals for international workers.
Step-by-step details are accessible here.
Germany Work Visa
Germany is no doubt the most embarking labor market now in the whole of Europe offering countless opportunities to skilled workers, trainees, and apprenticeship applicants. The German Government has been continuously working on increasing the number of foreign workers amid a shortage in the local labor market. The newly announced immigration law for foreign workers is a sign that Germany is committed to fulfilling its labor market worker shortage till 2030.
Many relaxations have been announced in the new immigration laws such as low language requirements, and more space for IT professionals, without degree possibilities of entering the labor market. Germany also allows the Job Seeker visa on which the applicant can enter Germany to find a job and can change the visa into a work visa after finding a job.
The country is also introducing in June 2024 the Opportunity Card which will be the first-ever points-based visa of Germany. This will allow foreign workers to enter the country without having a job offer and based on qualification, age, work experience, and language proficiencies (in English and German).
For a German work visa, important to learn the following:
- Knowing the German work visa system such as visas for highly qualified (EU Blaue Karte), Skilled Worker Visa, Trainee Visa, Job Seeker Visa, and Apprenticeship Visa.
- What types of work or employment visas are available?
- Work visa requirements.
- Work visa procedure in Germany such as “Aufenthaltserlaubnis Bestätigung” and then in the country of origin of the applicant such as a long-term D-type residence permit.
- In-demand jobs in Germany.
- Famous job portals for international workers in English and German.
Step-by-step comprehensive information can be gained here.
Italy Work Visa
Mostly famous for its quota-based immigration program “Decreto Flussi”, Italy has been a charming place for foreign workers. The country offers a wide range of visa options for seasonal and non-seasonal workers. The number of need of foreign workers in Italy is so high, that it has set aside a quota of 452,000 for the three consecutive years 2023-2025. The first-ever country that follows the implemented quota model of Canada in Europe.
For seasonal and non-seasonal visa categories, Italy works with certain countries that are eligible for certain occupations. For highly qualified visas, there is no restriction on an applicant from an eligible country.
For an Italian Work Visa, important to learn the following:
- Knowing the Italian work visa system such as Decreto Flussi.
- Getting quota knowledge of each year.
- Knowing the difference between seasonal and non-seasonal work visas.
- What types of work or employment visas are available?
- Learning about if your country is among work-variable countries or not.
- Work visa requirements.
- Work visa procedure in Italy such as “Nulla Osta” and then in the country of origin of the applicant such as long-term residence permit type D.
- In-demand jobs in Italy in seasonal or non-seasonal sectors.
- Famous job portals for international workers.
Step-by-step work visa information, requirements, and procedures can be accessed here.
Poland Work Visa
Poland stands alongside many other developed EU countries when it comes to hiring foreign workers. The country has been now helping land the foreigners in the local labor market. Though it changes from time to time frequently, still in the labor market there are 18,034 vacancies available for foreigners to apply for.
For a Polish employment permit, the mandatory steps to learn are the following:
- Knowing the Polish employment permit system such as visas for highly qualified (EU Blue Card), Intra Company Transfer, or Skilled Worker Visa.
- Types of work or employment visas available?
- Work visa requirements such as documents, language proficiency, or specialized job requirements.
- Work visa procedure such as “Employment Permit Confirmation” and then in the country of origin of the applicant such as a long-term D-type residence permit.
- In-demand jobs in Poland.
- Famous job portals for international workers in English and Polish.
Step-by-step comprehensive information can be gained here.
Denmark Work Permit
Denmark’s fast-track work visa option is becoming famous nowadays. It also needs like other EU countries a skilled labor force to continue its growth economically. The fast-track work visa stream has been made as simple as possible. If a certified company in Denmark employs you, you can be granted a work permit as fast as possible in one month.
The fast track scheme makes it faster and more flexible for certified companies to bring in foreign employees to Denmark. At the same time, the scheme allows you to work both in Denmark and abroad. The chosen employment must meet the conditions on one of the fast track scheme’s five tracks:
- The amount track
- The supplementary amount track
- The short-term track
- The research track
- The educational track
Read here for more details about this work visa.
Luxembourg Work Pemit
Luxembourg, a thriving Schengen nation, offers a dynamic job market and excellent living standards. If you’re looking to take your career there, understanding the work visa process is crucial. This guide will equip you with the knowledge to navigate the path to working legally in Luxembourg.
Nationals from non-EU countries can also apply for the work visa of Luxembourg. Interested applicants need to fulfill certain requirements.