Do you dream of relocating to the rolling hills of Tuscany? Working remotely from a Parisian cafe? Joining your workmates for a drink at a London pub at day’s end?
Your aspirations of moving to Europe can become a reality. But you may be facing a big hurdle – how will you support yourself after you move? Should you apply for a job locally, or start your own business?
Below, we’ll talk about the pros and cons of each of these options. We will discuss the Europass CV – the standard resume format – as well as the permissions needed in order to work or start a business.
Working In Europe – Getting the Right Visa
In order to legally get a job in Europe, you will need to obtain the right visas or work permits. Each country has its own requirements, so you will need to research the process for the nation you plan to live in.
In many European nations, citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia, and a few other countries can apply for residency and a work permit upon arrival. In other cases, you must apply for a European employment visa. Keep in mind that you are not permitted to work when visiting a country on a tourist visa or some other visa.
Find out if you need to contact an embassy, consulate, or visa application center. You should typically apply at least two months prior to your planned travel date. The work visa process can include you needing:
- Duplicate signed copies of the visa application
- Recent photos were taken within the last three months
- A valid passport
- Proof of accommodation (for example, documents showing you have booked a long-term Airbnb)
- Roundtrip flight reservations
- Travel medical insurance
- A signed contract between you and your future employer
- Basic fluency in the local language
- Proof of skills or educational background, as needed
- An in-person interview
As noted above, you will need to land a job in Europe before you begin the work visa application. You can use LinkedIn to search for and apply for jobs in your new locale. But you’re going to need the right kind of resume – keep reading to learn all about Europass.
Is It Just Like A Résumé?
You’ve no doubt got a strong resume, but before applying to jobs in Europe, it must conform to local standards. That standard is known as Europass.
Listed below are the standard sections for the Europass CV. Have your resume handy, as it contains all the information you will need to create your Europass document.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
- First and last name
- Address
- Phone number(s)
- Personal website(s)
- Instant messaging accounts
- Sex
- Date of birth
- Nationality
JOB APPLIED FOR
POSITION
STUDIES APPLIED FOR (if applicable)
PERSONAL STATEMENT
WORK EXPERIENCE
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
PERSONAL SKILLS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ANNEXES
- Here you will list documents for which photocopies will follow, such as degrees, letters of recommendation, etc.
Options for Digital Nomads
Many countries or cities in Europe are offering special incentives to attract digital nomads and remote workers. Some are willing to pay a monthly stipend, a housing allowance, or even a payout for each child you have after moving there.
There are requirements, of course. You may need to prove that your business has a minimum amount of cash flow, creates a certain number of jobs within the country, or improves a local community.
What do the regions get in return? They hope to stimulate the local economy, bolster dwindling populations, and foster the renovation of properties.
Running a business from afar comes with its own set of challenges. If you run your own business from abroad, you can use customer relationship management (CRM) software to foster collaboration among your team and aid productivity. You can often work around obstacles like limited local internet connections by supplying your own mobile hotspot.
Starting Your Own Business in Your New Home
Another option is starting a business in your new country (as opposed to remotely running your business back in the States). Many countries have tax provisions that welcome businesses from overseas, and you don’t need a work permit or work visa to start a business in most countries.
What you will need is a residency permit. You may be required to contribute to the economy by creating a certain number of jobs, investing in stocks, or supporting the arts. Some countries, such as Greece and Portugal, also require you to spend a minimum amount on real estate in connection with your business. These requirements can be expensive – anywhere from €100,000 to €500,00 (approximately $110,000 to $550,000). You should always research requirements unique to your new home country.
Key Takeaways
You can support your move to Europe by securing employment before leaving home, working remotely, or starting a business in your new country. However, you should carefully consider the legal requirements, logistics, and monetary costs of each option before making your decision.
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The post Moving To Europe: Apply For Local Jobs Or Start A Small Business? appeared first on Social Media Magazine.
