Europe is becoming more popular as a dream destination for people looking for professional opportunities and a high quality of life.

In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the best countries that offer good living and working conditions, but first, let’s discuss some important factors to consider when planning a move to Europe:

• Language barrier: Language is crucial when moving to a new country, as it affects every part of your daily life. If you’re not fluent in the local language of your destination country, consider taking classes until you’re skilled enough to hold basic conversations with the locals, neighbors, and colleagues. This will go a long way in making it easier for you to adapt and form new relationships.
• Healthcare: Understanding how the healthcare system of your destination country works before relocating is vital because this will help you make an informed decision about health insurance. Extensive research should be done on healthcare quality, infrastructure, availability of medical professionals, cultural practices, and, more importantly, costs. This will help you navigate the healthcare system more efficiently and better manage your health.
• Minimum wage: The minimum wage varies across countries in Europe. Researching the average salary in your country of choice will help you gauge your financial expectations and budget wisely.
• Cost of living: The cost of living in the country you plan to relocate to is another important reason for research on the minimum wage. Knowing how much you’ll spend on taxes, housing, feeding, transportation, utilities, and healthcare will help you plan your income accordingly.
• Safety: Safety is the one thing you cannot afford to compromise on. Some safety and security factors to consider when relocating include the crime rate, political stability, cultural sensitivity, and natural disasters. You can find information about the safety level of your destination country here.

Now that we understand what to look out for when planning a move to Europe, let’s explore some of the best countries to work in 2024

Top European countries for working

Finland

Finland currently ranks number one on the 2024 World Happiness Report, and it’s easy to see why. The country’s excellent public services, inclusivity, sound education system, and focus on safety create a well-functioning society with happy citizens.

Also read: Affordable European Universities for International Students in 2024

Finland is also one of the most innovative countries in the world, with a surge in businesses and startups over the last decade, providing opportunities for job seekers.

Interestingly, Finland doesn’t have an official government-mandated minimum wage. Instead, wages are determined through agreements between trade unions and employers in different sectors. Despite this, employees are paid fairly, and Finland ensures equal opportunities and pay for both men and women.

In addition to gender equality, Finland prioritizes work-life balance as regular working hours should not exceed 8 hours a day and 40 hours weekly. Any overtime work is compensated with double the agreed wage.

Sweden

Some call Sweden heaven on earth for the working class because of its job market, labor laws, and corporate culture.

Sweden has a very healthy job market with an employment rate of 68.10%, but in addition to this, it also has labor laws that prioritize employees’ rights. Similar to Finland, there’s no legislated minimum wage in Sweden, but employees usually earn €2500-3000 monthly and are entitled to a 50-100% bonus for overtime work.

Another employment benefit Sweden offers is that employers value career development, so you can put your job on hold while getting a new degree. The Employees Right to Education Leave Act 1974 allows employees in Sweden who have been working in the country for a minimum of six months to take a leave of absence for studies.

Germany

Germany is among the best European countries to work with because of its job market. With an employment rate of 77.50%, the job market is diverse enough to cater to people with varying levels of education and qualifications across various fields.

Applying for a visa to work in Germany is relatively straightforward as the German government encourages skilled worker migration. Under the Migration Act, effective March 1, 2024, qualified workers with vocational training and work experience can easily relocate to Germany for employment opportunities.

The Germans also prioritize a healthy work-life balance with generous paid leave and work benefits. However, you should know that there’s no mandatory overtime compensation.

Additionally, although Germany is multicultural, English is widely spoken, making communication and navigating your daily life easier.

The Netherlands

The Netherlands currently ranks sixth in the World Happiness Report and is a favorite destination for immigrants. The Dutch are known for their high quality of life as they have better career opportunities, housing, and education, and one of the most stable economies in the EU.

You will need a company sponsorship to work in the Netherlands as a non-EU citizen. However, if you don’t have an employer yet but are highly educated, you can apply for a residence permit for an orientation year. This residence permit allows you to stay in the Netherlands for a year while looking for a job.

The current minimum wage in the Netherlands is  €13.27 per hour as of January 1, 2024, and the standard working hours is 38 hours per week. Working in the Netherlands opens you up to new cultures and allows you to meet people from different backgrounds. While it’s advisable to learn Dutch to help you adapt to your new environment quicker, about 95% of the population understand and speak English.

Denmark

Denmark stands out as one of the safest and happiest places in the world, ranking second in the World Happiness Report.

It is known for its exceptional work-life balance, as Danish employers value efficiency over long hours, resulting in a standard work week of 37 hours with flexible working conditions. While there is no official minimum wage, the average pay is relatively higher than other EU countries, around €4,000 per month.

Denmark’s welfare system is another compelling reason to relocate. The government provides free, quality healthcare for all legal residents, regardless of their income, ensuring universal access to medical services.

To work in Denmark full-time as a non-EU citizen, you must apply for a work visa online via SIRI (Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration). You can find the application process and requirements here.

Additionally, Denmark is one of the best English-speaking Scandinavian countries, with 86% of the population fluent in English, offering excellent job opportunities for English speakers.

Wrapping up

Regardless of the European country you decide to work in, rest assured that with Grey, you can experience life like a local. With our EU bank accounts, you can make transactions seamlessly and securely. Open a Grey account today to get started.

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