FAQ
1. EU work permit
2. Work permit non EU partner
3. Work permit partner of EU national
1. While job hunting in Europe I came across the
term ‘European work permit’. Can I only get a job in a European country if I
have such a European work permit?
There is no such thing as a European work permit! For each European country
you need to apply separately for a work permit. Nationals of the European Union
member states (including Iceland, Norway and Switzerland) are able to work in
any other EU member state, exercising the same rights as nationals of those
countries. However, non-EU job seekers with for instance a work permit for the
UK are not allowed to work in Italy, Germany, France or any other EU country.
The only exception under certain circumstances is short-term contract work.
Please note that the European Economic Area (EEA) countries all - except Luxembourg
- have signed the EU treaties regarding labour mobility, thus in all EEA countries
freedom of movement of EEA workers is allowed, similar to the EU (European Union)
member states.
2. I am a 28 year old qualified Land Surveyor.
I have an Irish passport and I am currently working in Ireland. I worked in
England in 2003 and 2004. I have a bank account and a RSI/Tax number. I wish
to return and work in London where there is plenty of work for me. I am married
to an Argentinean national. We were married in Ireland last year. She too, would
like to work in London. She is a qualified secondary school teacher. Is it possible
for her to work? Does she need a visa?
Your wife is as a family member entitled to enter any EU territory under the
same conditions as the Community citizen that she is joining (i.e. same residence
permit and same duration as applicable to you). The concept of family member
is confined to the spouse and dependent children. In short, your wife is able
to work in the UK as long as you are present in the UK too. She must be able
to justify the family relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate,
family record book, etc.). Please note that we have a series of useful guides
that tell you all about job hunting in a foreign country. You are able to order
the guide ‘Looking for work in the UK’ via our website.
3. I am a Canadian citizen living in France with
my wife who is an Irish National. Am I allowed to move to Germany and work in
Germany while my wife remains in France?
As spouse of an EU national you are allowed to work and live in the EU country
where your partner is residing. So if you want to work in Germany this is only
possible if your wife joins you in Germany too. You are allowed to travel for
business trips within Europe, but are not allowed to take up employment in other
EU countries then the EU country where your spouse is residing. Please note
that should you require more assistance, you should either contact your embassy
or if you need more advice from us (which we are more than happy to give!) –
we will need to charge you/your employer for the advice via our Career Consult
service.
Photography: © Eric Sijbrands/Expertise in Labour Mobility.
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