Similar to Canada and Australia, several countries in the European Union are also facing acute labor shortages, which they are trying to fill domestically.
However, unlike Canada and Australia, some EU countries have some of the strictest immigration laws in the world, especially against job seekers.
Those days are gradually coming to an end as countries such as Finland, Denmark and Sweden loosen rules to attract more skilled workers. Here are seven major changes that have been announced recently that you should be aware of if you want to find a job in Europe.
Finland
Finland has launched an accelerated procedure for highly skilled workers and start-up entrepreneurs with their families – processing applications within 14 days.
The country also provides students and their eligible family members with a single residence permit for the entire duration of their studies. This means that students will no longer need to renew their residence permit every year.
Denmark
Denmark has published new lists of industries and positions that require foreign workers. The two lists, called the Positive List for Highly Educated and the Positive List for Skilled Workers, serve as a “map” for foreign workers looking for work in Denmark.
Spain
Spain has made it easier for foreigners residing in the country to obtain a work permit through a more streamlined process that reduces the work permit requirements for some applicants.
Students from non-EU countries will also be able to work up to 30 hours per week while studying in Spain.
Italy
Italy has increased its annual quota of work permits by 5,000 and plans to invite 75,000 foreign workers in 2022.
Portugal
Portugal has recently launched a short-term work visa that will now allow foreign workers to move to Portugal with the intention of working for only six months.
Ireland
The Irish government has announced that this fall it will introduce new changes to the work permit system for workers from countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA).
Sweden
Sweden has made it more difficult for employers to exploit foreign workers by making it mandatory for Swedish employers to report any changes to the terms and conditions of employment.
Foreign workers can no longer be expelled due to minor mistakes, and employers who fail to report on the working conditions of non-EU workers at the request of the Agency may be fined.
