Where to work in Europe?

Where can you find a job?

The first thing to consider is where you want to work. Europe has a diverse economy. Many professional profiles, such as managers or financial specialists, are sought after in the entire continent. But, depending on your skills or the sector you are interested in, it may be better for you to choose a specific country.

For example, if you want to work in banking, Switzerland or Luxembourg are well known for the importance of this sector in their economies and may be a good choice for you. On the other hand, a country like France has a strong focus on sectors such as pharmaceuticals, aerospace or, of course, tourism.

Also consider the city you will move to. Large countries tend to have their strong economic sectors distributed throughout their territory. When you look for a new place to live, also pay attention to the cities where the sector you are interested in is located. Does it look like a good place to live? Are there all the services you need? Make sure you choose a place that meets your expectations!

What language is spoken?

There are dozens of languages spoken in Europe. Depending on your native language, choosing where to work in Europe may depend on which country speaks your language. Obviously, Spain is a good choice for Spanish speakers, France for French speakers, Portugal for Portuguese speakers… but don’t stop there!

First of all, English is widely spoken and understood in most European countries and is enough to open up many opportunities. In any case, it’s always better to learn the local language for everyday life. If you enjoy learning new languages, there are no limits to your choices. On the other hand, if you don’t want to learn a new language, it’s better to choose a country where you already speak the language.

How will you improve your skills?

It’s easy to overlook this factor, but you should definitely keep it in mind: how will you improve your skills and keep them up to date? If you want to progress in your career, you need to be able to take part in training programmes designed for professionals.

Many young people go to study in Europe every year, thanks to the high quality of the programmes and their international recognition. Working professionals also benefit from this high quality education.

To make sure you will progress, make sure to choose a country with many recognised institutions. Some cities are home to multiple universities that offer programmes in all subjects. It’s in these cities that you should try to go and work in particular.

What leisure and activities can you have outside of work?

You also need to think about your free time. Living in Europe is more than just working, after all!

If you’re keen to explore new cultures, it’s a good idea to find out about local monuments and cultural life to see which country best suits your interests. Italy or France, for example, are known to have some of the richest heritage in the world and can be a good choice if you want to spend a lot of time exploring your new country.

Also consider the geography of the country you are moving to. Some countries are very mountainous and perfect for winter sports, while others have lots of sunny beaches (some even have both!).

Discovering the continent as a whole can be very exciting (there’s a reason why so many people want to visit Europe every year. If you want to travel a lot, choose a city with lots of international transport. The largest cities are usually a good choice.

What is the cost of living?

This is definitely an important factor to consider. The cost of living can vary greatly from one country to another. Before you move to Europe, make sure you check the following for each country you are interested in:

• the average rent,
• the price of food and other groceries,
• the price of transport,
• the price of entertainment.

Another important factor is the cost of healthcare. Some countries offer more protection than others.

Also remember that the cost of living can vary greatly from one city to another. In France, for example, Paris is very expensive. But if you choose to avoid the capital and live in another city, the cost of living is much more affordable. Don’t let the average prices stop you from going to the country that looks most attractive to you and try to find the less expensive places to live your dream.

Once you have chosen where you want to work, being aware of the cost of living will be an advantage when negotiating your salary.

If you have to choose a country to work in Europe, we suggest that you choose France. It is one of the best countries in a lot of regards.

It’s one of the strongest economies in the world and is a leader in several major sectors. There, you will have a lot of opportunities to start or develop your career. You may even enjoy the possibility of creating a company to take advantage of the European market.

It is also a country with a high quality of life, a very protective social security system and a good work-life balance, thanks to the 35-hour working week (extra hours paid). And thanks to the large number of universities, especially in cities such as Lyon, you will have plenty of opportunities to improve your skills on a regular basis.

Are you curious to know why France is such a great place to work and how to choose the perfect city?

Discover where to work in France!