Q&A: EURES Advisers answer questions from jobseekers

Do you have a question you’d like to ask a EURES Adviser? Here are some that jobseekers asked at Today’s Dream, Tomorrow’s Reality, the first E(O)JD to include advisers from all 31 countries of the EURES network. Find out below how EURES Advisers answered them.

(l to r) EURES Advisers Simone Döhner, Jan Vleugel and Lara Feller answer jobseekers’ questions

Q. Why do we need a network like EURES? Can I not just get in contact with the country of interest and go through the job centre?

A. Jan Vleugel (EURES Denmark): Of course you can go to the local job centre, but the EURES network is there. If you want to move abroad, EURES Advisers can be a great help. There might be obstacles – or what you as a jobseeker might see as an obstacle – but maybe after having a talk with a EURES Adviser, maybe you’re a bit relieved and it’s not such an obstacle anymore. It’s the power of the network that we can advise about moving abroad. We also know that many of our colleagues who are working abroad can be of great benefit to jobseekers when moving abroad. We can refer you to a EURES Adviser abroad, either through the chat or the contact information on the EURES portal.

A. Lara Feller (EURES Sweden): We can offer not only assistance with the information you need to move, but also wonderful information like the Targeted Mobility Scheme. It’s almost sad if you don’t contact us prior because we can talk to you about financial support and maybe things that you never considered.

Q. Is it possible to work remotely for an employer in another country?

A. Jan Vleugel: Since COVID-19, working remotely has been quite a question. We are often asked whether it’s necessary for jobseekers to move to, for example, Denmark, and if they can work remotely from their own country instead. I think that’s a bit tricky. Most employers want you to come to their country to work, to come to the office, but once you are there, there must be some possibilities to work from home one day a week or so. We are getting back to offices and then taking it from there. That might mean working from home part of the week, a day or two, or not – but it’s up to the employer to decide.

Q. How does EURES support return mobility for workers who have already gained experience abroad and are looking to return to their home countries?

A. Lara Feller: I think it’s important you update the information you have from your own country. If I were to move back to the Netherlands, I think I would be lost because I’ve been away for 20 years. Even if I come back to the Netherlands quite often, there are still some things that have changed. You have to be aware, people where you’re coming back to think: ‘You talk the language. Why don’t you understand?’ Well, I haven’t been here for quite a while. Proper preparation – that’s the key.

A. Jan Vleugel: Several countries that get a lot of return movers also have specific programmes to help. Germany has a specific webinar for people who have been working abroad and are returning to Germany. In the EURES system, we have some training, especially about return mobility. You are never on your own and can always reach out to a EURES Adviser who can refer you to another programme in the specific country if they don’t know themselves. Please reach out and use the EURES system.

A. Simone Döhner (EURES Germany): If they are nationals and go back to their nation of origin – no problem. But it is difficult. They have to watch the labour market trends and what is required. If they go back with a certain profession, maybe there’s a surplus. Get informed before leaving.

Click here to ask your own question to a EURES Adviser.

Ask your own questions and find out more about working abroad in tourism, entertainment and hospitality at Seize the Summer with EURES 2025.

Related links:

Chat with a EURES Adviser

Seize the Summer with EURES 2025

Living and working conditions in other EU countries

Today’s Dream, Tomorrow’s Reality event page

Read more:

European Job Days

Find EURES Advisers

Living and working conditions in EURES countries

EURES Jobs Database