For Americans, employment in a European country requires setting aside previous assumptions about the nature of work, the workplace, and even retirement
I heartily agree that the subject of finding a "real job" is overlooked in all of the noise about "escaping to Europe." This article gives plenty of resources that I wish I had had access to back in the 1990s!
European Union citizenship is definitely a plus for some jobs compared to other nationalities, even if one has permanent residency and the right to work. When I worked as a contract employee at the Chamber of Commerce, only EU citizens were eligible for permanent contracts. This pushed me to go through the paperwork in 2006, and I'm certainly glad I did. I got my CDI the following year.
Thank you, John, for another excellent and in-depth article about the realities and challenges of moving, living and working abroad. You provide crucial information for anyone who is thinking about making such a move.
John, this is an excellent and well-researched summary! I came to Europe to work in the early 90s and stumbled through various EU and non-EU bureaucracies; what I would not have given for an overview like this.
John, this was great and very well researched. I can only add that it might pay to look at specific countries or even subnational regions—some are able to sponsor skilled labor positions that are in need, or unskilled labor when there is difficulty finding employees. Two examples: Canada (obviously not Europe) historically had provincial nominations, and if you went to some less attractive areas they had unskilled job openings like gas station attendant or the like in Northeastern BC. And here in Austria, one can get in with needed jobs by region. See https://www.migration.gv.at/en/types-of-immigration/permanent-immigration/regional-shortage-occupations/ Some are obscure like cheesemaker, others are skilled and need German like elementary school teacher, but there are always unskilled ones like waitstaff, food retail worker, etc.
Frank, there is a vast cottage industry offering distressed Americans advice on leaving the U.S. for other countries. I wrote this because that industry seems focused on affluent retirees or so-called "digital nomads." There is not much about finding work in Europe, and in fact, for most people doing so isn't easy. I was trying to fill, at least partially, something of a void.
Things would have to become VERY significantly worse in the US for other countries to offer political asylum. For now, countries outside the US seem more focused on luring disgruntled or suddenly unemployed academics/scientists to bolster their own academies or research programmes.
John, great and useful piece. I will be sharing it.
I wanted to add some things I know about employment in Germany.
1) Most Germans pay for work insurance. So, if they get "burn out." A thing that 2 of my friends had for the entire of last year, both having lost someone in their family, and working in schools. Their insurance worked together with health insurance to included spa time, art classes, and therapy. This year, one returned, and was eased back into work over months before she was working full time again.
2) The US and Germany have a reciprocal Social security agreement, so the Americans that I know who are working in Germany, who also earned social security in the US, or who retired in Germany, can collect their US social security payments through the German Retirement Insurance agency. I have not tried this year, because we are waiting until my husband retires to start collecting social security. But, it has been explained to me by people here.
3) Included in work benefits are generous parental leave which can be shared by both parents. My neighbors have a child who is now about 18 months old. They each took parental leave, and now they are both working 3 half days a week, from home, and have a babysitter come in when they are both working at once. They are transitioning back into full time work.
The parental leave rules are that one can take unpaid full time leave up to 3 years, and part of it has to be taken before the child's third birthday. If you work part time your job will pay you part time, otherwise you apply from the state for parental leave monies. And, of course, you get child money for your children each month.
I heartily agree that the subject of finding a "real job" is overlooked in all of the noise about "escaping to Europe." This article gives plenty of resources that I wish I had had access to back in the 1990s!
European Union citizenship is definitely a plus for some jobs compared to other nationalities, even if one has permanent residency and the right to work. When I worked as a contract employee at the Chamber of Commerce, only EU citizens were eligible for permanent contracts. This pushed me to go through the paperwork in 2006, and I'm certainly glad I did. I got my CDI the following year.
Thank you, John, for another excellent and in-depth article about the realities and challenges of moving, living and working abroad. You provide crucial information for anyone who is thinking about making such a move.
Thank you Clarice !
John, this is an excellent and well-researched summary! I came to Europe to work in the early 90s and stumbled through various EU and non-EU bureaucracies; what I would not have given for an overview like this.
This post is invaluable! Thank you for sharing so much important information.
John, this was great and very well researched. I can only add that it might pay to look at specific countries or even subnational regions—some are able to sponsor skilled labor positions that are in need, or unskilled labor when there is difficulty finding employees. Two examples: Canada (obviously not Europe) historically had provincial nominations, and if you went to some less attractive areas they had unskilled job openings like gas station attendant or the like in Northeastern BC. And here in Austria, one can get in with needed jobs by region. See https://www.migration.gv.at/en/types-of-immigration/permanent-immigration/regional-shortage-occupations/ Some are obscure like cheesemaker, others are skilled and need German like elementary school teacher, but there are always unskilled ones like waitstaff, food retail worker, etc.
Fabulous info for the working stiffs, What about those of us who may need a mental health/political asylum route to Europe? Only half a jest.
Frank, there is a vast cottage industry offering distressed Americans advice on leaving the U.S. for other countries. I wrote this because that industry seems focused on affluent retirees or so-called "digital nomads." There is not much about finding work in Europe, and in fact, for most people doing so isn't easy. I was trying to fill, at least partially, something of a void.
Things would have to become VERY significantly worse in the US for other countries to offer political asylum. For now, countries outside the US seem more focused on luring disgruntled or suddenly unemployed academics/scientists to bolster their own academies or research programmes.
I see your point. I guess I'll just have to wait until real chaos erupts here.
John, great and useful piece. I will be sharing it.
I wanted to add some things I know about employment in Germany.
1) Most Germans pay for work insurance. So, if they get "burn out." A thing that 2 of my friends had for the entire of last year, both having lost someone in their family, and working in schools. Their insurance worked together with health insurance to included spa time, art classes, and therapy. This year, one returned, and was eased back into work over months before she was working full time again.
2) The US and Germany have a reciprocal Social security agreement, so the Americans that I know who are working in Germany, who also earned social security in the US, or who retired in Germany, can collect their US social security payments through the German Retirement Insurance agency. I have not tried this year, because we are waiting until my husband retires to start collecting social security. But, it has been explained to me by people here.
3) Included in work benefits are generous parental leave which can be shared by both parents. My neighbors have a child who is now about 18 months old. They each took parental leave, and now they are both working 3 half days a week, from home, and have a babysitter come in when they are both working at once. They are transitioning back into full time work.
The parental leave rules are that one can take unpaid full time leave up to 3 years, and part of it has to be taken before the child's third birthday. If you work part time your job will pay you part time, otherwise you apply from the state for parental leave monies. And, of course, you get child money for your children each month.
Are you counseling?