Finding the right job today seems like an easy task at first glance. With an abundance of different employment alternatives, diverse job roles and affordable courses, our professional development depends entirely on our proactivity. These opportunities are not limited to national borders. So people looking for a new life, home, and career path abroad, have favorable conditions to do so. In the following lines, you will see our list of the best countries to start a job in Europe. What prospects do they offer? How are they better than other countries? Are they worth moving if you want to find a good job?
Best countries in Europe to get a job: An overview
When choosing a new place to live and work, it's good to do your research. Sources such as the OECD's Living Index tool give us a lot of valuable information. It turns out that Luxembourg, Switzerland, Germany, Sweden, Norway, and the Netherlands are the leaders in Europe when it comes to income, employment and job security as well as work-life balance. Sounds good, right? In terms of the quality of healthcare services, the most promising European countries to start working in are Belgium, with its fee-for-service payment system, where healthcare costs are reimbursed by your insurer; Germany and the Netherlands, where companies massively provide private health insurance to their employees.
There are other criteria to choose the ideal country in which to work and live. We'll look further at these.
Best countries in Europe to get a job if you are a student
Combining study and work is no easy task. Students often have to gain experience while they study. In these cases, finding a country that values youth work highly and offers excellent career prospects is key. Let us not forget the need for flexibility, including part-time work opportunities, internship programmes, night shifts, and additional benefits for students. Some of the best countries to find a job in Europe before graduating include:
Germany
The country is considered by many to be tolerant of foreign cultures while encouraging the development of not only local but also foreign youth. The advantages of working in Germany include security, affordable rents, and connectivity within the country, allowing students to travel affordably. Given the highly developed manufacturing industry, finding a job would not be difficult. The fields of engineering, electronics, chemical industry, and telecommunications are on the rise. And this ensures high demand for personnel. Other occupational areas where there is a shortage of employees are information technology, health services and education. Last but not least, wages in Germany have risen sharply over the past decade. According to Statista, in 2021 the average annual salary in the country will peak at around EUR 46,500. In 2022, it will be around €45,500.
Netherlands
In addition to excellent standards in higher education, the country also boasts high life expectancy, cleanliness, and the ability to communicate easily thanks to the prevalence of English, German, Spanish, and French among locals. In fact, many start-ups are based in the Netherlands and the culture of innovation is strong. This provides excellent job opportunities for students and young people in fields such as entrepreneurship, engineering, science, education, and healthcare. For recent graduates in the country, there is also the option of applying for a so-called "orientation year", during which you have the chance to look for job options and to pursue a career.
Spain
Home to some of the largest pharmaceutical and clothing companies, Spain offers a wealth of job opportunities. Staff are also being recruited in the IT sector, with annual salaries reaching €45,000. However, it is important to bear in mind that knowledge of Spanish is highly valued by local employers and would increase the chances of you being hired. In addition, according to changes coming into force in 2023, foreign students are allowed to work up to 30 hours a week—a full 10 hours more than the previous norm. This proves that Spain encourages young people not only in terms of their education, but also when it comes to their professional development, which is largely linked to their quality of life.
Best countries in Europe to get a job if you are working remotely
Remote working in Europe remains one of the biggest trends in the labor market. Higher productivity, improved health, and the opportunity to spend more time with loved ones are just some of the benefits of this type of employment. With the growing popularity of remote working, many countries are introducing so-called remote working visas. But what are the best countries to work in Europe if you are a remote worker?
Croatia
In fact, if you get a remote work visa in Croatia, you are not obliged to pay any taxes to the state. Although the validity of the visa in question is only a year, this is enough time for digital nomads to set up their lives and businesses, achieving maximum returns. In addition, the cost of living in the country is relatively low for Europe. Among the requirements for obtaining a remote working visa are that you must not be an EU or EEA citizen, your monthly income must be at least €2,300, you must work for a country other than Croatia, and you must have secure housing.
Spain
You can work remotely in Spain on a visa that expires in one year but then allows you to apply for a residence permit for up to 5 years. The main requirement for obtaining a visa is to earn around €30,000 per year and the main advantages of working remotely include low taxes. Other criteria for gaining a visa are no criminal record, having a work contract with a country other than Spain, and citizenship in a non-EU country.
Portugal
The visa is like the one for Spain, and you can spend up to 5 years in total in the country. The tax rate is 15% of income generated and rents are more affordable than in Western Europe. To obtain a visa you must be a non-EU, EEA, and Swiss citizen, earn at least €2,800 per month and have a bank account with a Portuguese bank.
Best countries in Europe to get a job in terms of cultural diversity
Starting work in a foreign country is an excellent opportunity to meet, communicate and exchange experiences with people from different nationalities and cultures. But where can you find the biggest communities? We continue our list of the best countries to find a job in Europe with the European countries with the highest percentage of immigrants by 2022: Switzerland, Sweden, Austria, and Germany. One prerequisite for this is certainly the job prospects offered by the respective countries. Their relatively high standard of living for Europe is also associated with higher wage rates, more social benefits, family security and quality healthcare.
Another group of countries encouraging the development of foreign labour are Finland, Denmark, and Sweden. Through a light and fast procedure, Finland welcomes the recruitment of foreign professionals in the start-up industry. Among the advantages of starting a business are the low cost of living, the iconic stability, the high quality of life, and the supportive and friendly environment. Denmark, on the other hand, develops special lists of foreign workers, which are divided into a Positive List for Highly Educated Workers and a Positive List for Skilled Workers. Sweden, for its part, has worked hard to curb labour exploitation of immigrants, making it mandatory to report changes in work rules and conditions, and prohibiting the imposition of sanctions on workers who make minor mistakes on the job.
Best countries in Europe to get a job if you lack experience
Lack of relevant experience, or experience in general, makes it difficult for many to find a good job. However, some countries present an opportunity for exactly such people. Here are some of the most promising ones to find a job in, in case you have lower job qualifications or are at the beginning of your career:
Poland
Despite the economic turmoil, the job market here continues to offer excellent and varied opportunities. The information and technology sector are concentrated in cities such as Warsaw and Krakow, it is dynamic and offers entry level jobs. However, you need to have a relevant degree or certificate. The fact that the country is an outsourcing hub in services, finance, etc. also favours job seekers. On the other hand, Poland's manufacturing sector is well established. A good knowledge of English or other European languages is another factor that makes it possible to find a good job, especially in big cities.
Portugal
The country abounds with entry level jobs that allow you to develop your career without much experience behind you. In addition, apart from Portuguese, English and Spanish are widely spoken in the country, which increases the chance of hiring and successful subsequent adaptation of job candidates who speak them. Portugal's beauty is also among those features that you should not underestimate when it comes to the best countries in Europe to get a job.
Germany
Leading various quality of life indices, Germany boasts highly developed manufacturing and tourism industries, increasing the chance of not only finding a job without any previous work experience, but also becoming a true expert by receiving reliable training. In addition, with the abundance of international companies operating in the country, you are sure to find room for development and making useful professional contacts.
A well-paid and satisfying job is often central when making a decision to move to a foreign country. However, the relocation process has many pitfalls—from finding the perfect job to renting a place to live and then relocating. The experts at Movega Removals, a company with a proven track record of transportation services across Europe, are at your service. Get in touch with us right now via the available online chatbot feature and contact form.