EURES and cross-border employment: a win-win partnership

In 2022, about 1.8 million workers in the EU and EFTA countries were reported as residing in one Member State and working in another. These cross-border workers exercise their right to move freely across EU borders for work, which provides many opportunities for professional fulfilment.

Cross-border work can also encourage economic growth and cohesion in EU border regions, which cover 40% of EU territory. With the right influx of workers, many of these regions can be transformed from peripheral areas into significant growth zones and opportunity hubs.

However, cross-border employment often comes with obstacles related to the differences between countries on social security systems (e.g. health insurance, family benefits, unemployment, retirement), employment frameworks, and taxation rules, to name a few. These issues concern not only workers, but employers as well.

Enter the EURES cross-border partnerships, set up to support your labour mobility journey. Currently, six such partnerships exist across Europe, helping prospective employees and employers navigate the practicalities of working/finding a post/recruiting across borders.

How do the EURES cross-border partnerships work?

Funded under theEuropean Social Fund Plus (ESF+), the EU’s main instrument for investing in people and supporting the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights, the EURES cross-border partnerships are responsible for:

providing information and advice on cross-border employment issues (e.g. tax residence/filings, special requirements according to country,);
acting as points of contact between jobseekers and employers by offering placement services and/or assisting with cross-border recruitment;
bringing together various key entities (partners) who can facilitate cross-border labour mobility processes, such as labour associations, trade unions, public employment services, education institutions, local authorities, employment support schemes, and social security bodies.

I’m considering a cross-border work opportunity. What resources are available?

The EURES network is your go-to source for all labour mobility issues. For further information on cross-border job opportunities and advice, please visit EURES’ dedicated page on cross-border regions. You can also search for EURES Advisers [LH(2] by clicking on the ‘By cross-border partnership’ tab.

Make sure to watch this EURES video, where two workers from Slovenia share their experience working in Italy, and find out how the local EURES cross-border partnership has helped them by providing advice and support.

Find out more about EURES cross border partnerships here.

For more practical information on cross-border commuting, click here.

What’s the latest on cross-border telework and social security?

Publications Office of the European Union: Cross-border work in EU and EFTA countries

Read more:

European Job Days

Find EURES Advisers

Living and working conditions in EURES countries

EURES Jobs Database

EURES services for employers

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