Taking up employment in another Member State

As an EU national you are entitled to take up work or look for a job in another EU country.

EU citizens are entitled to:

• look for a job in another EU country
• work there without needing a work permit
• reside there for that purpose
• stay there even after employment has finished
• enjoy equal treatment with nationals in access to employment, working conditions and all other social and tax advantages

Taxes

By working in another member state and by transferring your residence there, you are likely to become "resident for tax purposes" there. The definition of fiscal residence varies from one member state to another. You must comply with the laws of the country where you have established your residence.

Social security

In principle, you are insured for social security purposes in the country you work in. You, and in certain circumstances, your family are entitled to the same social security benefits as nationals of the country in which you work. These rights cover sickness and maternity benefits, disability, old-age and survivor's benefits, benefits payable for accidents at work, occupational illness, death and unemployment, as well as family allowances.

If you live and work in another EU country, it's important to be aware of the consequences for:

• your benefits
• where you have to pay tax

If you are an EU national moving to another EU country to take up employment or self-employment or to provide a service, the Directives cover you. Members of your family, whatever their nationality, have the right to accompany you or to join you in your country of employment. Your family is defined as your spouse and your children who are under 21 years of age (or older if they are dependent on you) and their spouses, as well as your parents and your parents-in-law, if they are dependent on you. Your registered partner (and dependent relatives) is also entitled to move with you if the host member state treats registered partnerships as equivalent to marriage.

Moving with your family

The host member state must facilitate the entry and residence of other family members who do not have an absolute right to move but who are dependent on you or whose health is such that they require care by you. Member states must also facilitate the entry and resident the entry and residence of a partner with whom you have a durable relationship.

EU citizens exercising their right to free movement are not required to have a residence card but their family members who are not themselves EU citizens may be required to have such a card.

If they wish to, your spouse, civil partner and children also have the right to work without restriction in your country of employment. You and your family members have the right to the same social benefits as the nationals of the host member state. This includes the right to education access and benefits.

Members of your family who come from a non-EU country may be asked for an entry visa by the country of employment. This visa is granted quite easily and should be free of charge.

The EURES network, with its more than 1000 EURES staff and the EURES web portal with job vacancies and practical advice, are available to help you find a job and to prepare your move abroad.

Some EU countries require diplomas, titles, certificates or other special qualifications as a condition for access to certain salaried and self-employed occupations.

The EU has therefore set up systems for recognising diplomas and training that enable you to make full use of your training and skills in another EU country. The basic principle is that if you are qualified to exercise a profession in your home country, you are qualified to exercise the same profession in any other EU country.

A general system of recognition of qualifications that is applicable to most regulated professions has been put in place across the EU. So, if you wish to work in a profession (as a teacher, lawyer, engineer or psychologist, for example) that is regulated in the country of employment, you must apply for recognition of your qualifications in that country.

If you are a doctor, a general nurse, a dentist, a midwife, a vet, a pharmacist or an architect, your national qualifications are in principle recognised automatically.

Your employer can send you to work temporarily in another EU country. During this period, you will acquire the status of a posted worker and will benefit from the same basic working conditions and rights as workers in your host country.

A posting can last as long as it is necessary to complete a specific task. When your posting has finished, you should return to your workplace in the EU country where you were posted from.

The Department of Social Protection has provided information on the social insurance payment procedures for posted workers.

Working conditions

You will fall under the terms and conditions of employment of your host country if they are more advantageous than those of your home country. These conditions and terms of employment relate to:

• all the basic elements of remuneration as defined in national law or universally applicable collective agreements
• allowances or the reimbursement of expenses to cover travel, board and lodging costs in the host country during the posting (if you are required to travel during the posting assignment)
• maximum work periods
• minimum rest periods
• health and safety at work
• conditions on hiring workers, in particular through agencies providing temporary staff
• employment conditions for pregnant women, women who have recently given birth and young people (under the age of 18)
• equal treatment for men and women and other rules to prevent discrimination
• accommodation, if provided by your employer

Read more on posted workers’ rights

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