WORK PERMIT IN EU

ork permits are never required for self-employed people in the EU.

However, some EU citizens still need a work permit to become an employee in certain EU countries.

If you are planning to look for work in a country that still has restrictions on access to its labour market, it is worth finding out about the procedures for obtaining a work permit. Check also whether there are restrictions on getting your unemployment benefits paid there.

You are advised to contact the public employment service in the country where you are going.

If you need additional information you can contact a European employment adviser.

Nationals of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia

Since 1 May 2011, you are no longer subject to any restrictions: you have the right to work — as employed or self-employed — without a work permit throughout the EU and in Iceland and Norway.

Nationals of Romania and Bulgaria

You may work — as employed or self-employed — without a work permit in: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Sweden.

Until 31 December 2013 at the latest, your right to work might be restricted in:

Austria	Germany	Netherlands
Belgium	Luxembourg	Spain (only for Romanians)
France	Malta	United Kingdom

To work in these countries, you will need a work permit. Some countries have simplified their procedures or reduced restrictions in some sectors or for some professions.

Nationals of Croatia

Your right to work as an employee in another EU country may be restricted by transitional arrangements until 30 June 2020.

You will need a work permit to work in these countries:

Austria	Greece	Slovenia
Belgium	Italy	Spain
Cyprus	Luxembourg	UK
France	Malta
Germany	Netherlands

Information valid as of 14.8.2013; subject to change as other countries may impose similar restrictions.

Working in Croatia

Your right to work as an employee in Croatia may be restricted by transitional arrangements. You may need a work permit if you are from one of these countries:

Austria	Greece	Slovenia
Belgium	Italy	Spain
Cyprus	Luxembourg	UK
France	Malta
Germany	Netherlands

Working in Switzerland

All EU nationals need a work permit to work in Switzerland. This restriction will expire on 31 May 2014 - but may continue until 31 May 2019 for nationals of Romania and Bulgaria

Before you try working in a country that still imposes restrictions, you should seek information on the applicable procedures. Contact the public employment service in the country where you wish to work.

If you need further support, contact a European employment adviser.

Sample story

Make sure you'll get a work permit before moving abroad

Petre from Romania accepts a job offer in Vienna and immediately moves to Austria. But he is unable to get a work permit and has to return to Romania.

If you come from Romania or Bulgaria, it is important to check whether you need to apply for a work permit before moving to a new country to take up a job. If so, bear in mind that your application for a work permit might be refused.

Getting your unemployment benefits paid in another country

You have the right to get any unemployment benefits you are receiving in one country paid in another country while you're looking for a job there. This right normally applies for a limited period of time – 3 months extendable once for up to 6 months – and you must get prior authorisation from your employment service.

This right can be restricted in countries that impose restrictions on their labour market.

To find out if this is the case, contact a European employment adviser.

Sample story

Transfer of unemployment benefits may be restricted

Sofia from Bulgaria is unemployed. She would like to go and look for work in Germany. She asks her employment service whether she can continue receiving the unemployment benefits she's receiving in Bulgaria whilst doing so.

Sofia is disappointed to hear that this is not possible. Germany does not allow Bulgarian nationals to transfer unemployment benefits there yet. However, this will be possible from 2014 at the latest.

Once you are legally employed in another EU country, you are entitled to equal treatment with nationals of the country where you are working.

Postings abroad

There are no restrictions on posted work — employed or self-employed.

Exception: Germany and Austria apply temporary restrictions on the posting of workers from Romania and Bulgaria by companies in certain sectors but not for self-employed people.