The good news is that there are many companies that are looking to hire foreigners to help make their facilities more efficient, allowing them to expand their business. They may prefer to hire people with a second language, especially if they have branches scattered around the world. While some countries offer higher salaries, others offer a lower average number of working hours per week. Some may offer a better work-life balance, while others may offer better cultural awareness.
Germany
Germany has consistently been at the top of many lists for the past three years, and rightly so. It ranks second with one of the lowest unemployment rates in all of Europe at 3.6%. It offers secure jobs, excellent affordable housing, transportation and safety. If you have a professional qualification as well as some understanding of the German language, great news, the chances of getting a job are high for you.
There is currently a shortage of healthcare professionals, IT specialists and teachers in Germany, where annual salaries can reach 70,000 euros with a 38-hour work week.
Netherlands
The Netherlands has one of the highest life expectancies, good water and air quality, high standards of education and unemployment of only 4.4%. An increasing number of the population can speak English and German, and some even speak Spanish and French, so communication shouldn’t be a big problem here.
Its major cities, particularly Amsterdam, have proven that despite their relatively small size, thriving startups and an inventive culture make a difference. The new startup culture gives young and enthusiastic entrepreneurs the opportunity to not only showcase their talents, but also thrive with government support and funding.
Spain
With its excellent healthcare system and affordable cost of living, Spain has been ranked first on numerous lists. It is known for its friendly atmosphere and eccentric culture. It’s no wonder so many people choose it, because with its low cost of living, it’s safe to say you’ll even get more for your money. You simply can’t go wrong by choosing this great place.
Spain has a large automotive industry and contains some of the world’s largest pharmaceutical giants (GSK, Pfizer) and clothing companies (Inditex, Mango). They are experiencing shortages in the IT sector and are eagerly looking for professionals to help in this area.
Norway
Although it is not an EU country, we have included Norway because it is a member of the European Economic Area (EEA) and the Schengen passport-free zone. Thus, citizens of this country have the same freedom of movement rules as all other EU member states.
