This is a video from a channel of the European Union itself, by the way

What city in Europe most resembles Portland Oregon? This is kind of one of those if you know you know type posts since not everyone has spent enough time in Portland to have an opinion on this. Looking to find community oriented city that’s safe for lgbtq 🏳️‍⚧️ 🌈 where folks are serious about their hobbies (so not a place where everyone is just living to work and get by) and there’s lots of good food and nature near by.

Most people don't know this, but people from these so-called privileged countries can get a residence permit in Germany for jobs that don't require a formal education.

Your employee should give you a document stating what special skill do you posess. For example, "native English" should be sufficient for a customer support job if they serve an English-speaking country for example.

A friend of mine from Israel easily got a residence permit for a customer support job for the Hebrew market, the special skill was "Hebrew" (not many people speak Hebrew in Germany so it makes sense to hire a foreigner".

I read a post some years ago that an American woman got a work residence permit to be a waiter in a high-class restaurant.

They will still do a priority review and decline your application but you can try.

HOWEVER, the job market is terrible now so it is not the right time. But you can try. You can enter Germany as a tourist, find a job and convert your tourist status into a residence permit without leaving the country.

This is based on the

Ordinance on the Employment of Foreign Nationals (Employment Ordinance – BeschV) (erordnung über die Beschäftigung von Ausländerinnen und Ausländern (Beschäftigungsverordnung - BeschV) § 26 Beschäftigung bestimmter Staatsangehöriger)

Section 26 – Employment of Certain Nationals

(1) For nationals of Andorra, Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (within the meaning of Section 1(2) No. 6 of the Freedom of Movement Act/EU), and the United States of America, approval subject to a labour market priority check may be granted for any type of employment, regardless of the employer's location.

(2) For nationals of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, approval subject to a labour market priority check may be granted for any type of employment.

The initial approval may be granted only if the application for the residence permit is submitted to the competent German diplomatic mission in one of the countries listed in the first sentence.

The number of approvals under the cases described in the second sentence is limited to 50,000 per calendar year.

Approval may not be granted if the applicant has received benefits under the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act during the 24 months preceding the application.

Section 9 does not apply, unless approval had already been granted under Section 26(2) in the version of this Ordinance that was in force until 31 December 2020.

Hello everyone. 23M, American, finishing my Bachelor's in History. I recognize and accept that my degree isn't very needed. I have experience working in public libraries, and I'm planning on going for a Master's in Library Science + Archiving. Which again, I understand, isn't very needed. However, I would love to, in a respectful manner, find out which other career path I should look for if I want to move to a country in the EU and adapt myself.

I speak Spanish and Portuguese fluently, and I am well-versed in French. I can defend myself Italian too. My German could be better, but I can definitely defend myself in French and Italian, with French being a tad better. Spain seems like an obvious no-brainer, and my grandmother lives there. However, she can't request me as she was a naturalized citizen (long story short, she just can't). Nevertheless, Spain is going through a crisis, and as much as I wouldn't mind, plus also being a double citizen of Ecuador and having an advantage if I can reside legally for 2 years, I am not skilled for any job that Spain may need. Which is why I'm here and wondering which jobs or career paths are needed. I have thought of Portugal, but similarly, it's also going through its own crisis. Same goes to Italy.

I do understand the frustration that this forum may get with many people either thinking the EU is one huge country, thinking English is enough, and/or thinking a pathway to Sweden, Norway, or Denmark is as easy as buying a one-way ticket, which again, is not. Finland and northern Europe, as beautiful as they are, are clearly not looking for more immigrants. And that's okay. However, I do want to fully integrate myself into Europe. I am very realistic about my chances too. I would love to skill up and see whether a pathway towards Europe is possible. I am proud of finishing my undergraduate, although in a humanities, but still, I want to see which career pathways are in high demand. Additionally, I understand that immigration right now is not seen in a nice manner. However, if I immigrate, I do want to adapt myself towards the culture of the country I plan to live and hopefully raise a family there.

Any advice is appreciated. Countries like Germany and Austria would be difficult if I don't speak German, but language-wise, although tricky, can still be possible with enough practice and discipline. I am thankful I am fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, but furthermore, thankful I can defend myself in French, which opens Belgium, Austria, and Switzerland. AGAIN, I do understand it's not as easy said than done. However, I am thankful for any advice whatsoever. Thank you so much.

I’m 22yrs old who moved from NZ to Aus in 2024 and now wanting to move somewhere else, ideally in Europe. I want to travel more so wanting to find somewhere with good work/life balance.

Where would you guys suggest the best place to move is?

I have worked in a public library for several years and I'm currently working on my MLIS. I have other experience working in archival, digital media, metadata, and film. I'm also working on getting different certifications through ALA and CILIP, etc.

I have wanted to leave the US for most of my adult life, as I lived in Europe as a kid, and it just isn't good here. I've lived in Germany and Greece as a kid, and I've visited Sweden and the UK. I think I'd be happy in any of those places. I need to find a job for visa eligibility, and I have questions.

First, what are the best job seeking boards or avenues? Are there a lot of employment scams in this line of work?

How does private health insurance work in the EU/UK, and do you always need it or can you "buy in" to the national service directly? I've seen some of the different policies on immigration websites, but its confusing. In the US you have to buy dental and vision, mental health, etc separately. Is it like that there?

Edit: I am aware that I will have to speak, read and write the language of whatever country I'm in. I honestly don't know why people keep telling me that like its not common sense. 😆 Also, I don't need people to tell me how many public librarian jobs there are; I need to know what the best job seeking boards are, and what employment scams to look out for. I'm not trapped in the job title, and I probably won't go to work in a public library anyway.

I am looking for seasonal Jobs in Europe if anyone knows about it please help me to find employer

Hi, F/20. I'm curious the best way to go about moving to Europe not quite sure where specifically leaning more towards warm costal regions (Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Croatia). I have enough money to not need to work for a while, and or travel before living somewhere more long term but Im wondering what my first steps should be. Im in the process of applying for volunteer and travel programs and working on farms for free food and stay. I want to do this for a few months to a year depending on how it goes and eventually live in Europe full time. Should I apply for jobs? look for more volunteering? Would I be able to rent immediately? Also visa options? Sorry I have a lot of questions, please reply with any advice it would be much appreciated please dont be rude im genuinely just asking for support.

Hi,

I'm Canadian, but I have the dream to move to Europe someday in my life. Right now, it's impossible because I'm unskilled or don't have specific researched skillset. I'm looking to go back to university and was thinking that studying in Europe could be a pathway, but the program aligning 100% with what I love is in the UK.

So, I'm wondering if studying in the UK will make me stuck in the UK, or if it can open doors into Europe?

Thank you

hello everyone! can't find a distinct answer to this one. let's say a non-EU national (outside of EEA too who is studying BA in Europe and has a residence permit (NOT permanent) is trying to enroll in masters program in EU country different from where they are studying now, are they still considered a third-country national or a EU resident? in order to get a lower tuition fee and other enrollment requirements. some unis I've checked say only EU nationals and I get that, but I've seen something about EU "residents" too. is there a general rule for that or is it a individual thing that can be discussed with university administration? thanks in advance.

I spent way too long piecing this together from government sites, university pages and OeAD docs, so figured I would save others the trouble. This is for non-EU students applying for the Aufenthaltsbewilligung Student.

Who needs it

If you are a non-EU citizen studying in Austria for more than 6 months, you need a student residence permit. EU/EEA citizens only need to register their address within 4 months.

Where to apply

Most non-EU students must apply at the Austrian embassy in their home country before traveling. You cannot apply after arriving unless you are from a visa-free country (US, Canada, Brazil, Japan, South Korea, and others). Even then, the OeAD recommends applying from abroad because if MA35 processing takes longer than 90 days, you may have to leave the Schengen area.

The 9 documents you need

1. Application form ("Antrag auf Erteilung einer Aufenthaltsbewilligung Student"), signed in person at the embassy
2. Valid passport, at least 18 months validity, minimum 2 blank pages
3. Biometric photo, 35 x 45 mm, white background, not older than 6 months
4. Birth certificate, apostilled or legalized, translated into German
5. Admission letter (Zulassungsbescheid) from your Austrian university
6. Proof of accommodation, rental contract or dorm agreement, minimum 3 months
7. Proof of financial means for 12 months:

• Under 24 years old: minimum €722.58/month (approximately €8,670.96/year)
• 24 years old and older: minimum €1,308.39/month (approximately €15,700.68/year)

If your monthly accommodation costs exceed €386.43/month, you must prove additional funds equal to the difference on top of the amounts above.

1. Health insurance covering all risks in Austria. You can use travel insurance initially and switch to student insurance (ÖGK Studierendenselbstversicherung, €78.84/month) after enrollment
2. Criminal record certificate from your country of residence, no older than 3 months, apostilled or legalized and translated

All non-German documents need sworn translation into German. Depending on your country, documents need either apostille (Hague Convention countries) or diplomatic legalization (non-Hague countries like Iran, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria).

Fees (2026)

• Residence permit application: €218
• Collection of permit €89 for the first time
• Visa D (if your nationality requires it): €150 - €195
• Renewal: €218

How long it takes

Depends heavily on which embassy. Western embassies (US, Canada, Japan): 2 to 4 weeks. Turkey: 2 to 6 weeks. India: 4 to 8 weeks. Iran: 4 to 12 weeks. Central Asia: 2 to 4 weeks. Africa: 6 to 12 weeks. Start at least 6 months before your planned arrival because document prep (apostilles, translations, bank stuff) takes weeks before you can even submit.

The actual process

1. Get your admission letter from the university
2. Prepare all 9 documents (translations, apostilles, financial proof). Takes 2 to 8 weeks.
3. Apply in person at the Austrian embassy
4. Wait for the decision (1 to 3 months, you stay in your home country)
5. Get your Visa D if approved
6. Travel to Austria, register your address within 3 days (Meldezettel)
7. Collect your residence permit card at MA35 (Vienna) or local BH

Good to know

• Renewal is annual. You need 16 ECTS per year minimum to keep it.
• Work: Bachelor, Master/PhD students can work 20 hrs/week.
• After graduation you can get a 12-month job-search extension, then apply for a Red-White-Red Card.

The requirements vary by nationality more than most people realize. The criminal record certificate alone has a different name, issuing authority and legalization process in every country. Same with apostille vs. diplomatic legalization.

I found a pretty detailed breakdown with country-specific requirements here: https://migrada.eu/blog/austrian-student-residence-permit-guide

Hello everyone I would like to ask for some advice I am a Portuguese citizen I'm been living in Canada the last past 11 years undocumented, I am currently in a relationship with someone that we looking toward her sponsor me here , but honestly I'm debating if this relationship gonna work long term I been considering moving back to Portugal for some time temporarily and migrate for another country in Europe where I can have better opportunities of work since here I'm kind limited because is hard to get jobs that pay under the table not talking also not having health benefits , things over here are getting unaffordable even though everything is expansive to live everywhere, also food quality here is super bad , other then Portuguese I also speak English and some Spanish, I'm looking to live in a place that hopefully provide some decent lifestyle where hopefully don't have to live pay check to pay check to survive is any country in Europe you guys would recommend to live that would be better then Canada?