The European labor market is undergoing significant changes: some industries are actively looking for personnel, while others are gradually reducing open positions, and salary levels and job availability vary significantly from country to country. Understanding these trends helps you make informed choices when planning to work abroad. Learn more about the most in-demand professions in the EU, the countries with the highest salaries, and the regions where it is easiest to find a job

The European labor market continues to change: some industries are actively recruiting staff, while others are cutting open positions. At the same time, countries differ significantly in terms of salary levels and job availability.

In this article, we look at the current employment situation in the EU, from the most in-demand professions to the countries where it is easiest to find a job.

By the way, in our previous article, we talked about the 2026 passport ranking in the world.

Are you planning to find employment in one of the EU countries and want to sort out the paperwork without unnecessary confusion?

The Visit World work guide contains step-by-step instructions for obtaining a work visa and work permit, a complete list of required documents, and practical advice — all in one PDF document.

Which professions are currently in highest demand in the EU?

The most significant growth in the number of vacancies was recorded in the manufacturing sector — up 4.2 percent. This increase in open positions signals difficulties in recruiting personnel in this industry, which at the same time means real opportunities for applicants without a long search.

Among specific specialties, there has been a noticeable increase in demand for sales, marketing, and business development managers — the share of such vacancies has increased by 3.0 percentage points. Positions for other sales employees added 2.8 percentage points, transportation and logistics added 2.5 percentage points, and support office staff added 2.4 percentage points. In other words, demand is mainly concentrated in the commercial and operational sectors, where companies need people to support their daily processes.

About the most expensive countries in the world — read more at the link.

Where have vacancies decreased and what does this actually mean?

A reduction in the share of open positions has been recorded in several areas. The largest decline was in vacancies for technicians and junior specialists in the biological sciences — down 2.6 percentage points. Database and network specialists lost 1.7 percentage points, and software developers and analysts lost 1.5 percentage points. Smaller declines were seen in hotel and restaurant management (-1.1 percentage points) and among craftsmen (-1.0 percentage points).

At the same time, it is important to interpret these figures correctly. A decrease in the percentage of vacancies in a particular industry is not synonymous with the disappearance of jobs. For example, IT specialists remain among the most sought-after on the market, and the number of people employed in the sector is even growing. The share of vacancies has decreased because the market is becoming partially saturated, not because the need for specialists has disappeared.

Which countries are best for building a long-term life — we discuss this here.

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European countries with the highest average salaries

The highest incomes are consistently concentrated in Western and Northern Europe. Luxembourg remains the absolute leader — the average annual salary for full-time employment here is close to €83,000. The small size of the country is offset by the extremely high cost of labor, due to the developed financial sector and the presence of international organizations' headquarters. Read more about employment in Luxembourg for citizens of Pakistan, Cameroon, Portugal, and Romania here.

Iceland ranks second with over €77,000 per year.

For information on how to legally find employment in Iceland for citizens of Pakistan, Nigeria, Kazakhstan, and Spain, follow the link.

Other countries in Northern and Central Europe follow in the ranking. Interestingly, Germany and France, the two largest economies on the continent, are closer to the middle of the list. The average annual income in Germany is €53,791, and in France, it is €43,790. This means that the size of a country's economy does not always correlate directly with the level of personal income of its workers.

A detailed guide to employment in Germany for citizens of Turkmenistan, Georgia, Ukraine, and Moldova can be found here.

Where in Europe is it easiest to find a job?

The employment rate among the population aged 20–64 is one of the most accurate indicators of the real state of the labor market. The Netherlands leads in this indicator, with about 83.5% of the working-age population employed. Malta shows a result of 83.0%, and the Czech Republic — 82.3%. In these countries, the majority of the active population is employed, competition for jobs is relatively low, and demand for personnel remains stable. A similar situation is typical for most countries in Northern and Central Europe.

For those considering relocation, these figures are of practical importance: high employment means less time spent looking for work and more offers on the market.

Ranking of the richest countries in the world in 2026 — follow the link.

Where is it more difficult to find a job?

In Italy, the employment rate is about 67%, in Greece — 68%, and in Romania — 69%. A lower percentage of employed people automatically means higher competition among applicants and a longer job search process.

The hidden unemployment rate deserves special attention — this is when a person wants to work but can't find full-time employment. Most of these cases are recorded in Turkey, Spain, and France.

Useful information on employment in France for citizens of Moldova, Mauritius, Nepal, and Brazil is collected here.

Official employment statistics in these countries may look acceptable, but the actual availability of full-time jobs is lower than the overall figures show.

This should be taken into account when planning a move, focusing not only on salary levels but also on the structure of the labor market in a particular country.

If you are planning to work in Europe, prepare your documents in advance!

Most foreign specialists who go to work in EU countries go through the procedure of obtaining a work visa and work permit. The absence of even one document from the list can delay the consideration of the application or become a reason for refusal. To avoid such situations, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the current requirements in advance.

The Visit World work guide contains step-by-step instructions for obtaining a short-term and long-term work visa, a complete list of documents required to obtain a visa and work permit, information about visa fees and application processing times, rules for filling out a visa application form, as well as practical advice for staying in the country. The guide is available for any country and any citizenship — the document is sent to your email address in PDF format within a few minutes after ordering.

Order the Visit World work guide now and prepare for your move without unnecessary stress!

Reminder! Minimum wages in European countries vary significantly: in some countries, it is over two thousand euros, in others — several times less. In 2026, the difference between countries became even more noticeable, especially when considering the cost of living. Where in Europe is the minimum wage the highest and what these figures mean in practice — we explain here.

Photo: Alamy

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