Are you searching for abroad jobs in Europe?
Going overseas might be a great idea to find both work opportunities and get to know the world’s cultural heritage better.
Not sure which one is the best choice when working abroad in European Union?
Don’t worry, you have come to the right place. Today, we’ll take a look at which country offers the best jobs if you want to start working abroad.
We’ll consider the following:
- minimum wage
- state of job market
- work residence requirements
- social security
- facilitation for non EU citizens
Let’s go and find out which is the best country to work abroad!
FAQ:
How can I work abroad in Europe?
Can I work in another European country?
Can Americans work in the EU?
What European country is easiest to work in?
How to get work in Europe?
Do Europeans work 40 hours?
Which European country is best for work?
What jobs are in high demand in Europe?
Where to live in Europe if you only speak English?
Working in France
Who wouldn’t like to work in Paris, Lyon or the on the Côte d’Azur?
No wonder, working in France is a dream come true to many people. It’s not only beautiful country, but also the world’s largest economy in certain sectors.
As a foreign worker, you can expect:
- Minimum pay rate: €1539 per month (as of May 2022)
- Job market: vacancies in vineyards, cafés, restaurants, hotels (looking mostly for students)
- Work stay requirements: foreign nationals may start working in France right away, but should apply for work permit allowing them for long-term residence permit.
Pros:
Work stay permit is easy to get, and you can rely on good social security, e.g. unemployment benefits. France is also known for a good work-life balance, and companies there usually offer a very generous benefits pack.
Cons:
If you wish to find English-speaking jobs, France shouldn’t be your first choice. Inexperienced employees will also have a problem with finding job in France, since marketers there are in search for mid- to senior level candidates.
Summary:
To work in France, you may consider student jobs like coming to au pair family or finding work in vineyards, restaurants etc. If you have high qualifications and a strong CV, working in France is also perfect for you, as employers are in specialist skills shortages (mainly in IT sector). 
Working in Italy
Who wouldn’t want to work in a historical part of Rome or in the seaside Italian resort like Rimini?
Just like working in France, many people are in search for jobs in Italy since it offers many cultural and tourist benefits.
Still, if you look for a job in Italy, some research is needed.
Take a look at these facts:
- Minimum pay rate: there is no minimum rate for a job contract when you work in Italy. Be aware, as some employers might take advantage of this when hiring foreigners.
- Job vacancies: mostly tourist oriented establishments and language schools looking for teachers (English for Italian people, and Italian for coming immigrants).
- Work stay requirements: non EU citizens with a type-D visa should apply for a work permit within 8 days of arriving to Italy.
Pros:
Italy is a country of well established work-life balance and flexible working hours in almost all sectors. If you are an EU citizen, you can find a job or start self-employment right away with not much paper work.
Cons:
It’s good to come to Italy if you want to teach English, but not to speak English. In Italy, there is still a big number of population that only speaks Italian or some other Roman languages. Apart from that, recent graduates might have a very hard time to find their first job in Italy.
Summary:
It’s best to come here if you can speak Italian, even if just the basics. Working in Italy is also a wonderful destination if you’re looking for a casual work paired with traveling and making new friends. Native English speakers have an upper-edge, as there is a big need in Italy for people teaching English. Sadly, for a more fulfilling job in a modern company, you need a strong CV. 
Working in Germany
Being one of the strongest economies in the world, Germany offers a wonderful opportunity to seek career in the heart of Europe.
Let’s see what you can expect here:
- Minimum pay rate: €1584 (as of May 2022)
- Job vacancies: most companies in Germany offer lucrative jobs (especially in IT sector); many foreigners are also self-employed due to good economic environment
- Work stay requirements: Most of the world’s population doesn’t need a visa to work in Germany, however, a lot of non EU citizen have to apply for resident permit if they want to start a job in Germany.
Pros:
Companies in Germany are known to offer great career development opportunities. By working in Germany you can make new business contacts, learn the skills that are highly valued on the market and get many other benefits. There is also a big unemployment benefit offered by the government to those who are residents in Germany. The social security is in general very high here.
Cons:
However, professional work in Germany has its drawbacks. Before sending an application form to your dream company, better make sure you have a strong CV, well written cover letter and good qualifications for the position. Even if you’re only looking for a summer job, remember that many people find work in Germany in greenhouses and cultivation, so the competition is tight. Better send your application in a big advance!
Summary:
If you want to work in Germany, you can expect a pretty tough interview stage, but with rewarding benefits afterwards. When it comes to seasonal work, it’s quite difficult to get a job, so make sure to get in touch with an agency that can connect you with a right employer. 
Working in UK
It’s no coincidence that a lot of people look for a job in UK.
No surprise, as you can find many job opportunities here, matched with wonderful historic sites to visit.
If you want to work in UK, it might be good to take a look at this data:
- Minimum wage: in the United Kingdom, there is an hourly minimal pay that varies depending on age. People over 22 years have right to be enumerated above £8.36.
- Job offers: there are a lot of positions for elderly care and physical therapists. If you pursue a more professional career, you’d be happy to hear that it’s fairly easy to find a job in UK in the IT sector.
- Work permit: Foreign workers need to apply for work visa that is usually given for short term periods. There is a new option for graduates that lasts 2 years with Bachelor or Master degree, and 3 with PhD.
Pros:
Unemployment rate is low, and with a strong CV you should be able to choose from many jobs that best suit your profile. The official government website is user-friendly and explains the conditions to stay in the country clearly. Strong English language skills are not necessary for seasonal work in UK. Also, the stereotype about food is untrue: you can discover a lot of wonderful local cuisine.
Cons:
Since it stopped being a part of European Union, it is much more difficult to get here: you need valid passport, visa and work stay permit. If you’re not looking for a position in a company, but want to do a seasonal job or to be self-employed, it might be even harder. You can also expect that people here keep their private life to themselves, and the work-life balance isn’t always great.
Summary:
You want to find a job in UK if you’re a graduate with some strong qualifications. Then you won’t have a problem with finding employment as there are plenty of interesting jobs in modern companies to choose from. If you lack experience or professional skills, it’s best to look somewhere else.
Working in Scandinavia
Appreciated for beautiful views and great pay wages, Scandinavian countries often become the no. 1 on many people’s bucket list.
Here we will compare the 3 of them in terms of whether it’s good to find work there. 
Working in Sweden
You appreciate the beautiful nature and find great job opportunities, when you work in Sweden. Employment rate is rather high, and a lot of interesting offers can be found on Job Center official website. There is no minimum salary, but it shouldn’t stop you from finding a job in Sweden, as all positions are generally enumerated very well. You don’t have to speak Swedish language, because people there talk great English.
Working in Norway
Similarly to working in Sweden, you count on great payment and conditions when looking for a job in Norway. Minimum salary varies on the experience of a person, but generally you can count on at least €20 per hour pay rate. If you want to work in Norway, remember that it’s not the part of EU and you have to find job in Norway before arriving here. Also, be ready the people here incorporate strict work from private life separation.
Working in Denmark
Being a country with a rich culture heritage and beautiful historic sites, many people choose to work in Denmark. The minimum pay rate is around €14.80. Danish recruiters are known for being quite demanding, but if you speak fluent English, there are no additional language requirements. Most candidates find job in Denmark without issues.
Working abroad: summary
Finding jobs abroad can lead us to different corners of the world.
In this article, we focused on presenting you the countries with best pay rates compared with prominent tourist opportunities.
But this doesn’t mean that the way won’t lead you somewhere else. More and more people are looking for a job in Poland or are already working in Romania.
These two destinations have become popular for various reasons, which is another proof that work life isn’t always tied with money.
No matter if you work in Poland, or want to find a job in Romania, or maybe you chose a country from our list: be sure you can speak like a local whenever you go.
| Country | Key Industries | Average Salary | Work-Life Balance Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | Automotive, Technology | €50,000 | 7/10 |
| Switzerland | Finance, Pharmaceuticals | CHF 100,000 | 8/10 |
| Netherlands | IT, Agriculture | €45,000 | 9/10 |
| Sweden | Tech, Green Energy | SEK 400,000 | 9/10 |
| Ireland | Tech, Pharmaceuticals | €45,000 | 7/10 |
Just grab Vasco Translator and speak freely in 200 countries around the world. E.g. if you work in Romania as a driver, simply push a button and get along during roadside inspections and unloading staff.
Let the language barrier not stop you from working abroad everywhere in the world!
In a nutshell:
There are many great reasons to work in Europe, especially in the countries of France, Italy, Germany, UK, and Scandinavia. The minimum wage is high, the unemployment benefits are generous, and the work-life balance is good. However, each country has its own unique set of pros and cons. France is a beautiful country with many job opportunities, but the competition is tough. Italy is a great destination if you’re looking for a casual work paired with traveling and making new friends. Germany is a country of great development opportunities. UK is a user-friendly country with plenty of interesting jobs. Scandinavia is a great place to work if you appreciate the beautiful nature.
