Citizens of all European Union countries are free to travel through any of the member states with no restrictions. Whether on holiday, undergoing medical treatment, attending a study course or visiting friends or family, there is no requirement for an EU citizen to possess any form of European visa or permission to travel as a valid passport is all that is required.
This right to travel to and between EU member states also applies to employment. An EU citizen may seek and take up employment in any of the 27 European Union countries just as would be the case in the traveller’s home country.
This was also the case for British citizens prior to Brexit. Today, however, the United Kingdom is no longer part of the EU and the ease of travel and right to work that applied during the EU membership days no longer exist.
The United Kingdom, along with other non-EU countries, is now what is termed a “third country”, and, as such, its citizens must follow the rules applicable to other third countries. This means that British visitors to any of the European Union (and Schengen Area) member states will soon require the newly-introduced ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) travel approval for any trip into Europe. The ETIAS will also be valid for those Schengen countries that are also part of the EU.
Similarly, finding employment abroad cannot be done without meeting the obligatory requirements. For the majority of non-EU citizens wishing to find work in any EU country this means obtaining a work permit or the applicable form of EU Visa.
Permission to Work
Most of the European Union countries operate their own systems for the employment of non-EU citizens. Whether this is to attract skilled and qualified professionals or to fill a job shortage in certain fields, each country can operate its own program that best suits its own requirements.
Anyone looking for any type of work in an EU country should possess a visa for this purpose, and this includes those who have arranged employment before arrival. Undertaking any form of employment, even unpaid work, is illegal and can result in a monetary penalty and probable deportation.
When seeking a visa to work in Europe, it is important to know the distinction between the European Union and the Schengen Area. Both bodies comprise 27 member states, but while there is a huge overlap in membership, the two are not the same. A work visa or permit for the EU will cover all of the 27 EU countries, of which 23 are also Schengen members. However, the four countries of Norway, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and Iceland are part of the Schengen Area but not in the European Union and a European work permit will not suffice in these countries.
It is important to be aware of this distinction as there is no such thing as a Schengen Visa for employment purposes and another form of permit will be required such as the National Visa issued by the country in question.
Work Visa Required
As a general rule, for most non-EU nationals, a work visa will be required before entering the country where employment is being sought. There are exceptions currently in place for citizens of:
- The United States
- Canada
- Australia
- Japan
- Israel
- Switzerland
- New Zealand
Nationals of these countries are permitted to enter the European Union without having secured a work permit but they are obliged to submit an application upon arrival as well as apply for a residency permit if intending to live and work in the country.
Work Visa Requirements
There is a standard application form available for those who have secured ( or wish to seek) employment in any of the 27 European Union member states. The form must be completed fully and two copies printed once finished, with both copies requiring the applicant’s signature.
To complete the form it is necessary to supply:
- Two recent (within the previous three months), identical photographs that meet the necessary criteria.
- A valid passport less than ten years old and with a minimum of three months validity beyond the last date to be spent in Europe. The passport must also have two blank pages to accommodate the visa.
- Proof of adequate medical insurance (€30,000/£26,000) to cover possible medical emergencies, treatment, and repatriation should it be necessary.
- Provide proof and details of accommodation such as a lease, rental agreement, or long-term reservations.
- Academic qualifications such as certification, diplomas, degrees or trade qualification.
- Contract of employment from the new employer as well as contact details.
These are the basic requirements but different countries have different rules and further documentation will probably be requested. In addition, many EU countries also require arriving workers (even those on a short contract) to have a basic grasp of the country’s native language and understanding of its culture.
Acquiring a Work Visa
Not all nationals of every country may apply for a European work visa, and this should be checked before proceeding. Assuming eligibility, the process of acquiring the necessary visa is as follows:
- Check the types of work visas available in the chosen EU country
- Ensure all qualifying criteria are met before submitting an application
- Collect all required documentation
- Check (and recheck) the application form for errors or omissions
- Arrange a personal visa interview
- Attend the interview on time and with all the necessary paperwork
While some European Union countries expect the applicant to have secured employment before travel this is not always the case. Whether secured employment is required or not is something that should be checked by an applicant before any time or expense is wasted on a pointless exercise.
The completed and signed application form should be submitted to the relevant authority of the country in question. This may be the country’s embassy, consulate or (in some cases) a designated visa application processing centre.
It is recommended that an application for a work visa be submitted a minimum of two months before the planned trip to the country where employment is being undertaken or sought. This is because the officials require up to six weeks to run background checks on the applicant and verify the details supplied on the application form. This can take six weeks and often longer. Two months prior to travel should be the minimum time allowed, but it would be preferable to submit an application for a work visa around twelve weeks in advance of the scheduled date of arrival in Europe to allow for possible delays.
Validity
In most cases a standard European Work Visa will be valid for a period of one year although this may vary dependent upon the employment contract and the country in question. Most countries, however, allow for an extension to the work permit subject to different terms and conditions.
If an extension is required there will normally be a secondary application process to go through. Further documentation may be required confirming the employment status of an individual as well as accommodation arrangements. The new documentation will need to be presented at an interview in the country of residence but this is usually a formality barring any major issues.
ETIAS or Visa?
The European Union is currently introducing a means of pre-screening visitors to Europe. The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is an electronic form of visa linked to a passport and is expected to become a mandatory requirement for all non-EU nationals by the end of 2024.
ETIAS approval allows visitors to enter the European Union for a range of purposes but it does NOT permit the holder to undertake any form of employment while in the EU. Taking up (or seeking) employment without a European Work Visa is an offence and those found guilty of breaking the rules face serious repercussions for doing so.
Once introduced and fully operational, an ETIAS will be required merely to enter the European Union, but those non-EU nationals wishing to take up employment in a European Union country should ensure they possess the relevant European work visa to do so and not risk the wrath of the law by attempting to do so with just an ETIAS.
