Living/Working in Europe

living and working in Europe residence visas work permits expatriate European Community Switzerland

ABOVE: Is this Danish guard protecting the Queen from danger, or is he just trying to keep foreign job-seekers away from the palace?

What foreign tourist hasn't visited London, Paris, or Rome and thought, "I'd love to live here?" Unfortunately, it isn't that easy--at least for foreigners outside the European Community. Work permits and residence visas are hard to come by unless the job-seeker has an essential (and hard-to-find) skill. To put it another way, you're more likely to get lucky as a computer programmer than as a liberal-arts major. Still, anything can happen: I once met a dental hygienist who had obtained a work permit for Switzerland, a country that is notorious for being hardnosed about non-millionaire immigrants. And obtaining a student visa is a good option for those who can afford to live and study in Europe for a year or two.

For more information on legal requirements, living conditions, relocation, and other expatriate topics, see:

Living/Working in Europe - General Information

Living/Working in Europe - Belgium

Living/Working in Europe - United Kingdom

Living/Working in Europe - Other Countries

European Travel Links - Main Index

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From Europe for Cruisers:

Short-term car leases:
cheaper than renting!

Do you live outside the EU? Save on car rental with a tax-free Peugeot 'Buy Back' or Renault Eurodrive tourist lease. Minimum driver age is 18, there's no upper age limit, and rates include full insurance.

For details, see our article on Short-Term Car Leasing.