Help and support

EURES (European Employment Services) is a cooperation network formed by public employment services. Trade unions and employers' organisations also participate as partners. The objective of the EURES network is to facilitate the free movement of workers within the European Economic Area (EEA) (the 27 members of the European Union, plus Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland) and Switzerland.

EURES covers 31 countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

EURES targets both jobseekers from EURES countries interested in their right to freely move to another country for work or study and employers wishing to recruit such workers.

EURES offers a network of advisers that can give information, help and assistance to jobseekers and employers through personal contacts. EURES advisers are trained specialists who provide the three basic EURES services of information, guidance and placement, to both jobseekers and employers interested in the European job market.

There are more than 900 EURES advisers across Europe and the number is growing. Their contact details and addresses can be found on the page "Search for EURES advisers" in the section "EURES Services" of the portal or by clicking on the button "Contact a EURES Adviser" available on many of the portal's pages.

EURES is a free service to both jobseekers and employers, subject to the conditions set out by individual EURES members.

The EURES job vacancy database is updated daily. Information on labour market trends and living and working conditions are updated regularly by the national EURES correspondents.

Not only does the EURES portal offer information on job vacancies in the European Economic Area and Switzerland, but also information on labour market trend in all EEA countries and regions, practical information on living and working conditions in Europe, as well as an on-line database containing jobseekers' CVs.

The Living and Working Conditions section of the portal contains details of a number of important issues such as finding accommodation, finding a school, taxes, cost of living, health, social legislation, comparability of qualifications, etc.

The EURES job mobility portal is available in the twenty-six languages of the European Union/EEA, which are: Bulgarian, Czech, Croatian, Danish, German, Estonian, Greek, English, Spanish, French, Gaelic, Icelandic, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Hungarian, Dutch, Maltese, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Slovenian, Finnish and Swedish.

Our aim is to provide as much information as possible in all twenty-six languages but at least in English, French and German.

The information in the section "Living and Working" is available in English, French, German and also in the national language of the country in question.

Every citizen of the EU has the right to work and live in any Member State without being discriminated against on grounds of nationality. Free movement of persons is one of the fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the Treaty on the European Union (art. 3, 39, 40) and Community law.

Community rules on free movement of workers also apply to Member States of the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway). Switzerland has a bilateral agreement with the EU on the free movement of persons.

It is important to note that following the enlargement of the EU in 2004 and 2007, there is a transitional period of maximum seven years during which Community law relating to free movement of workers will not yet apply fully across the enlarged EU. More information is available in the section "Living and Working", "Free Movement of workers".

Greater labour force mobility, both between jobs (occupational mobility) and within and between countries (geographic mobility), is believed to contribute to economic and social progress, a high level of employment, and to balanced and sustainable development. It also enables the European economy, employment and labour force to adapt to changing circumstances more smoothly and efficiently, and to provide the impetus for change in a competitive global economy. A greater degree of mobility between Member States will also foster closer political integration in the EU.

Millions of jobs are unfilled in the EU while the rate of unemployment is moderately high (between 7 to 10% over the last years). Moreover, more than half of those who move while unemployed actually find a job within a year or less, compared with those who stay in their countries unemployed.

Europe offers tremendous opportunities to anyone wishing to move in order to get ahead. Albeit the moving abroad trend is growing, Europeans tend to stay static.

There are many things to be gained from a period of study or work abroad: a real change of environment, new personal horizons, daily contact with a different culture, the ideal opportunity to learn a new language, the chance to enjoy working or studying alongside people from different backgrounds, exchanging ideas and comparing experiences.

The vacancies available in "EURES Search for a job" cover a wide range of occupations and include permanent and seasonal opportunities.

Each vacancy has information on how to apply and whom to contact. The contact may be either a EURES adviser, who will process the application or, in other cases, contact can be made directly with the employer.

The jobs advertised on the EURES Portal come from EURES members and partners, in particular the European Public Employment Services. They use EURES to advertise jobs for which employers are particularly interested in recruiting workers from other European countries. These "EURES jobs" indicate that an employer is particularly interested in recruiting workers from other European countries..

In order to increase the transparency of the labour market in Europe, all jobs that are advertised by European Public Employment Services are, with a few exceptions, made visible on our site.

No. Vacant posts in the European institutions are published on the website of the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO): http://epso.europa.eu

EURES "Search for a job" has a user-friendly search interface. Job-seekers may select, for example, a country, region, profession, type of contract, or combine several criteria for finding a job.

The EURES job-search database is updated daily by the European employment services, and vacancy notices only stay on the system as long as they are current.

Points to bear in mind when using EURES job-search:

While most details about jobs, such as type of contract, required experience and level of education etc. are translated into all EU languages, this is not the case for the title and the text of the job notice. A keyword search using keywords in one language will therefore not necessarily call up all vacancies available in the database. If , for example, you search using the English word "waiter" as a keyword, you will probably not find the same notices that you would find searching with the French keyword "serveur". The predefined categories under "profession", "experience required", "location" etc. do, however, cover all available language versions.

"EURES Search for a Job" is available in the 26 EU/EEA languages and users can make their search in any of them. Please note, however, that since the job vacancies displayed on the EURES portal are, in large part, imported directly from the national job vacancies databases,  the textual content of the vacancy (title and description of the job) is generally written in the national language of the country source. Other details about the job, such as type of contract, experience and educational level required etc. are translated into all the languages.

A search using "Keywords" in one language will therefore not necessarily call up all vacancies available in the database. If, for example, you search using the English word "waiter" as a keyword, you will probably not find the same notices that you find searching with the French keyword "serveur". The predefined categories under "profession", "experience required", "location" etc. do, however, cover all language versions.

Please note that it is up to each employer to decide in what language a vacancy is presented in "EURES Search for a job". If an employer is particularly interested in recruiting internationally the vacancy may be published in one or several languages other than the employer's national language.

Each vacancy has information on how to apply and whom to contact. The contact may either be a EURES adviser who will process the application or, in some cases, contact can be made directly with the employer.

Several EURES on-line services are freely available without registration. You can register in My EURES and make your search for jobs. However, EURES is a tool which facilitates job matching between employers and workers enjoying the right to free movement within the European internal market. Finding a job via EURES does not affect national requirements for non-EU nationals’ access to the labour market (i.e. work and/or residence permit regime). For more information aimed at non-EU nationals please visit the EU Immigration Portal (europa.eu).

You can find opportunities for traineeships and apprenticeships via the Living and Working Conditions section on the EURES portal. Here, every country outlines the national legal framework for traineeships and apprenticeships, as well as general information on where to find opportunities, support and funding.

A number of countries also provide opportunities for traineeships and apprenticeships via the EURES Find a Job service. Like all services on EURES, this service is free of charge. Consider signing up via EURES to enjoy extra functionalities like saving your search profile and matching.

"EURES search for a job" is available to all the users, even if they have not registered for a "My EURES" account. However, the registration in "My EURES" offers you more services: - you can introduce your CV, giving you the potential to be headhunted by possible future employers. - you can create your CV in any EU language and it can be easily translated in other languages - you can define and store "Search for a job"  profiles and receive e-mail alerts whenever there are jobs matching your profile.

You first have to create a "My EURES" account. After registering, follow the instructions displayed in the step-by-step procedure and fill in all the mandatory fields. The service is free of charge.

You can modify your CV at any time, after logging in with your user-ID and password , go to "My CV" under "Jobseeker"

Jobseekers must regularly visit their EURES account in order for their profile to remain accessible to employers. If a jobseeker has not visited his/her EURES account for twenty-six weeks, their CV is no longer accessible to employers. If a jobseeker has not visited his/her EURES account for a year, their EURES CV is deleted. Unvisited accounts are automatically deleted after 2 years.

Full access to your CV is allowed to EURES advisers and to employers who have registered in "EURES CV-Online". You can decide yourself whether you want certain personal data, such as your name, address etc., to be visible or not.

If you choose the "anonymous" option for your "CV Online", employers will still be able to contact you, but via the EURES service, so they will not know your personal details.

If you lost your EURES password or your username, you can have it sent to you by e-mail. Click on “My EURES” on the homepage, on the following page enter your e-mail address if you are not currently authenticated and click on ”Next”. Then, click on “Lost your password?” (you may be asked to enter the captcha code hidden in the image) and click on “get a password”. A link to reset your password will automatically be sent to you by e-mail, you should use this link within 24 hours. After clicking on the link, you will be prompted for a new password and asked to confirm it. The process is finalised when you click “Submit”.

If you have lost both your username/e-mail address and password, you should contact the EURES helpdesk. Contact details can be found under "EURES Services – Contact EURES Helpdesk" on the Portal.

You can change your personal information whenever you like; just connect to EURES using your user-ID and password, go to "My profile" and change your data.

After logging in to EURES, go to "My profile" and select "delete account". All information about you will be deleted from the database. If you want to have access to "EURES CV-Online" at a later date, you must register again.

The EURES on-line services are freely available for any user having access to the Web. You can register in My EURES and make your search for jobs. However, finding a job via EURES does not change the legal obligations and administrative procedures that may apply to non-EU citizens.

For an employer to be allowed access to "EURES CV-Online", the employer's undertaking must be based in one of the 30 member countries of the European Economic Area (EEA) or in Switzerland, and have a valid VAT number or a National Registration number. Once your registration has been approved, you have access to the services that EURES offers to employers free of charge.

Once you have registered on EURES you will have access to the CVs of jobseekers in EURES database; moreover, you can store search criteria corresponding to your requirements, you can receive e-mail alerts as soon as there are registered jobseekers that fit with your criteria and you can contact them with personalised messages directly through EURES.

Employers who wish to advertise a vacancy on EURES should follow the instructions in the page "Advertise a job" in the "Employers" section. The procedures vary from one country to another. Some countries have a "self-service" allowing employers to publish their vacancies online.  In any case, you can always contact EURES advisers and ask for their assistance.

The "EURES Search for a job" database is updated daily by the European employment services, and vacancy notices only stay on the system as long as they are current.

Within the countries of the European Economic Area (EEA), freedom of movement for people is a basic right, allowing EEA nationals to work in another EEA country without a work permit. Free movement of workers will apply to citizens of the new Member States subject to the transitional arrangements set out in the Accession Treaties . The section following on "The Transitional Arrangements put in place for the New Member States." deals specifically with questions concerning New Member States.

Living and working in another European country can present some obstacles, such as adapting to a new culture, working in a foreign language, and familiarising yourself with unfamiliar tax and social security systems. You can best prepare yourself by being well informed about the country of your choice. Your own personal qualities and determination also play a role in finding a job as, of course, do your qualifications and foreign language knowledge. Before you start your job search, it is important to realise that it is not necessarily easier to find a job abroad than it is in your home country (the overall European Union unemployment rate is still high). Nevertheless, some sectors on the European labour market may offer considerable opportunities, such as the tourist sector and the service sector (financial services, management consultancy, the construction sector, the IT sector and some segments of the health sector) as well as seasonal work in agriculture. You should also remember that there are considerable differences in job opportunities between regions in the European Economic Area and that the situation can change very quickly. Further information on this can be found in the "Living and Working" section.

To help find work before leaving, you should:

• Visit the EURES job mobility Web portal, where you will find job vacancies, information on living and working conditions, labour market information as well as links to other useful information. There you can also make your CV available for potential employers all over Europe.
• Contact a local or regional employment office for advice. They may have a EURES adviser who can provide you with more personalised advice. He/she can check job offers in the EURES system and with EURES advisers in the country you propose to go to.
• Check the vacancy advertisements in the newspapers of your "host" country (major public libraries will usually receive them on a regular basis). Remember that many specialised magazines advertise vacancies for particular professional fields.
• Contact the host country Public Employment Service, who should be able to advise you remember that as an EEA national you have the same rights in another Member State as that State's own citizens. Ask to speak to a EURES adviser who is experienced in helping foreign citizens.

Remember that the most common way of getting information on job vacancies is through the Public Employment Service.

However, the following are also worth trying:

• In many Member States, there are private agencies, specifically geared towards finding temporary work. You should check if they charge for their services and find out the nature of their employment contracts beforehand.
• Private recruitment agencies also exist but usually target managerial level jobs or particular sectors such as computing or finance.
• For students, job fairs and career guidance centres can play a very important role in the job search.
• Spontaneous applications to firms are becoming increasingly common. You should find out as many details about the firm as you can, as success may depend on your ability to demonstrate how well you would fit into their structure and requirements. You should set out your application in a letter, giving your qualifications, experience and the reasons for your particular interest in the firm. Alternatively many companies have their own online recruitment sites, where you can sometimes submit an electronic application form.
• Networking is very important in most countries, as the first notification of many vacancies is often by word of mouth.
• Spending some time in the country of your choice on a traineeship or work placement is an ideal way of getting to know the country and provides the opportunity to job search on the spot. Many large companies organise such work placements.

One of the most important elements is finding out how to get your qualifications recognised in the 'host' country. The crucial point, for those with professional qualifications, is whether the profession is regulated or not. The regulated professions are those professions that are restricted to persons holding certain qualifications (lawyers, accountants, teachers, engineers, paramedics, doctors, dentists, veterinary surgeons, pharmacists and architects, for example). In some of these professions, a list of recognised and equivalent qualifications has been established, while in others, the equivalence is judged on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the course length and content. If your profession is not a regulated one, you may start practising as soon as you get a job, but you must observe any necessary procedures applicable to that profession in the host country, and which may be different to what you are used to.

You should ensure that you have drawn up a clear, well-structured Curriculum Vitae, targeted towards the specific job. You should also get it translated into the host country language, together with your qualifications (see above). Most Member States expect the subject of your degree or diploma to be directly related to the job applied for, while others place less importance is placed on this. The EU has adopted a European Standard Curriculum Vitae. Suitable for both vocational and academic graduates, this EUROPASS CV gives a clear picture of a candidate's aptitude and skills across EU-borders. This CV format is currently available in 20 EU languages in EURES CV-Online.

As in your home country, you should prepare yourself thoroughly for a job interview. Make sure you have background information on the firm and be ready to ask questions both about them and particular aspects of the job. You will also be expected to prove your command of the host country language and illustrate how your key skills and attributes fit in with the employers' requirements for that particular job. Many large firms throughout the EU use assessment centres to judge how potential employees would perform in real life situations.

What documents to bring with you to the interview?

Usually you will need:

• several copies of your CV in the appropriate language;
• a certified translation of your diploma (usually available from your education institute or the relevant ministry);
• photocopies of your school leavers certificate, university degree or other qualification;
• your passport or a valid identity card;
• a copy of your birth certificate;
• the appropriate E-form entitling you to health care coverage (eg. E111); and
• some passport photos.

If you are currently out of work and you want to look for a job in another EEA country, you may transfer your unemployment benefit for 3 months. However, there are strict rules and conditions for the transferring of benefits and you are therefore advised to contact your local employment service or the appropriate benefits agency before taking any action. If you have not found a job after 3 months, you may be asked to leave, though the authorities may be lenient if you can prove that your chances of finding a job are good. Other sections such as the "Living and Working" section contains further useful information on this.

You can find more hints and tips, advice from experts, as well as inspirational stories in the “News” section of the EURES Portal. To receive new updates directly in your mailbox, sign-up to the “EURES & You” newsletter.