Temporary Work In Europe

Getting Temporary Work in Europe
By Michael Russell

If you plan to work legally in any European country, you will need to make arrangements based on your citizenship.

If you are a non-EU national, you will need to get a work permit or a visa in advance. Expect to do a lot of paperwork and conquer a lot of red tape to obtain the necessary permits from the consulate of your own country. You'll also be needing letters from your future employers as proof of your intent. Before you leave, make sure you've also contacted the embassy or consulate of the country that you plan to work in because employment regulations change frequently.

If you are a Commonwealth citizen between the ages of 17 and 27, you can get a working holiday visa for Britain which is valid for two years. If you have a parent or grandparent who was born in an EU country, get in touch with that country's embassy and inquire about dual citizenship and work permits. Use this option if you are closely related to somebody Irish. Ireland easily grants citizenship and passports to people with an Irish grandparent or parent and once you have a passport, you can travel the EU easily. If you have a British-born grandparent or parent, you may be entitled to a four year work visa from the UK with an option of residency at the end of the term. Before taking any of these options, make sure that your home country also recognizes this dual citizenship.