Can’t find the talent you need in Europe?

The European Commission is preparing to launch the first EU-wide platform that will make it easier to recruit skilled workers from outside the 27 Member States. Called the EU Talent Pool, the main goal is to address critical labour shortages in sectors such as healthcare, ICT, engineering, hospitality and construction. These sectors are vital for Europe’s economy, but where qualified applicants are in short supply.

The EU Talent Pool is being developed and will be fully operational by 2027. Interested non-EU jobseekers will be able to register and create profiles on the platform, indicating their relevant skills and qualifications. The platform will then match these profiles with the EU employers who require their skills.

Only legally established employers will be allowed to register and post jobs on the platform, and any violation of EU or national laws regarding fair recruitment and adequate working conditions could lead to suspension or removal from it. Further safeguarding jobseekers, job listings must have full transparency. They should include the employer’s name and contact details, a job description and location, as well as information on initial salary and a description of the employer’s operations.

A pilot programme called the EU Talent Pool Pilot is currently supporting Ukrainian refugees to find jobs in Czechia, Spain, Croatia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Finland. Implemented through the EURES portal, the initiative was launched in 2022 to help Ukrainians fleeing the conflict gain easier access to the EU labour market.

The benefits

Besides addressing EU-wide labour shortages, the EU Talent Pool will offer several other benefits:

Free to use for both employers and jobseekers.
Speeds up and simplifies international recruitment procedures.
Gives employers access to a larger, more diverse workforce.
Provides information on recruitment and immigration procedures.
Helps ensure fair recruitment and working conditions for jobseekers moving to the EU.

What to keep in mind as an employer

Participation is voluntary for interested EU Member States. If the country in which your business is based has not yet joined the platform, your business will not be able to participate. The Commission expects up to 20 countries to join by 2030.
Using this platform doesn’t mean the candidate you hire can bypass national immigration procedures. Each EU Member State maintains control over who gets a work and residence permit. The EU Talent Pool merely provides guidance on this process.

If you want to recruit trainees and apprentices, use EURES; the EU Talent Pool focuses on regular employment. EURES is also a great option if you are just starting your search for talent and want to explore what Europe has to offer.

With EURES, you can search a database of over 1 million CVs from candidates interested in working abroad and publish vacancies on the EURES job portal. The portal gives you access to a network of about 1 000 EURES Advisers and a checklist to guide you through the recruitment process. You can also meet candidates face‑to‑face by taking part in the European Job Days, organised by the EURES network.

For more advice on finding talent and hiring tips, read How to recruit for hard-to-fill positions and How to save time and money when hiring.

Related links:

EU Talent Pool

EU Talent Pool Pilot

EURES job portal

Hints and tips for employers

European Job Days

How to recruit for hard-to-fill positions

How to save time and money when hiring

Read more:

European Job Days

Find EURES Advisers