Work permits

As an EU national you generally don't need a work permit to work anywhere in the EU.

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

Warning

Liechtenstein imposes quotas that limit the number of people who can work and live there. This quota system applies to nationals of all EU countries, Norway and Iceland.

Working in Switzerland

Most EU citizens don't need a permit to work in Switzerland. Find out more about working in Switzerland as an EU citizen.

Under the EU-Switzerland agreement on the free movement of persons, Swiss nationals are free to live and work in the EU.

More information

Before you try working in another EU country, you should seek information on the applicable procedures.

For further advice, contact the public employment service in the country where you wish to work or a European employment adviser.

Work permits for non-EU nationals

As a non-EU national, you may have the right to work in the EU and to be treated equally with EU nationals about work conditions. These rights depend on your nationality or on your status as family members of EU nationals.

Nationals of Türkiye

As a national of Türkiye, your rights to live and work in an EU country depend entirely on the national rules of that country. When employed legally in the EU, you enjoy the same working conditions as the nationals of that country and you have the following rights:

  • after one year's legal employment you are entitled to a renewal of your work permit for the same employer if a job is available
  • after three years' legal employment you may change employers and respond to any other employment offer within the same professional qualifications
  • after four years' legal employment you enjoy full access to any paid employment in that EU country.

Nationals of other countries that have an agreement with the EU

You enjoy the same working conditions as nationals of your host EU country if you are a national of:

Nationals of countries with no agreement with the EU

If you are a national of a country that has no agreement with the EU, your right to work in an EU country depends on the national laws of that country.

If you are in a family relationship with an EU citizen, you:

  • do not need a work permit to work
  • have the right to equal treatment, including access to all social and tax advantages.

For more information check the EU immigration portal.

FAQs

EU legislation

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Last checked: 12/12/2023
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