Work visas & permits
Which work visa do you need?
The route depends on your occupation, qualifications and the country. Degree-holders with an offer often use the EU Blue Card; skilled trades use national routes; Ireland and the Netherlands are the English-first options. Here is each main route, who it is for, and what it takes.
Informational only, not legal advice. Last verified 13 June 2026.
EU Blue Card
The EU Blue Card is the pan-European route for university-educated professionals with a qualifying job offer above a salary threshold. It is one of the faster paths to long-term residence and allows movement between EU countries after a period.
Read the guide →GermanyGermany Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte)
Germany's Opportunity Card lets qualified people come to Germany to look for skilled work on the ground, without needing a job offer first. It is a points-based, up-to-one-year residence permit with limited part-time work allowed while you search.
Read the guide →GermanyGermany Skilled Worker Visa
The Skilled Worker visa is Germany's main employer-sponsored route for people with a recognised vocational or academic qualification and a job offer. Qualification recognition (Anerkennung) is usually the decisive step.
Read the guide →FranceFrance Passeport Talent
The Passeport Talent is France's multi-year residence permit for qualified employees, graduates and talent. It is one of the more streamlined French routes for degree-holders and comes with family rights.
Read the guide →IrelandIreland Critical Skills Employment Permit
Ireland's Critical Skills Employment Permit is for occupations on its Critical Skills list, in an English-speaking country. It is a fast route with a direct path toward long-term residence.
Read the guide →NetherlandsNetherlands Highly Skilled Migrant
The Highly Skilled Migrant scheme is the Netherlands' fast, English-first route: a recognised sponsor employs you above a salary threshold, and much of the process runs through them. No separate labour-market test.
Read the guide →SpainSpain Highly Qualified Professional
Spain's Highly Qualified Professional permit is for senior, specialist or graduate-level roles, streamlined under the 2024 immigration reform. It suits tech, engineering and management hires and can extend to family.
Read the guide →SpainSpain General Work Authorisation
Spain's general regime is the standard employer-sponsored route for most jobs. When your occupation and province are on the difícil-cobertura (hard-to-fill) catalogue, the labour-market test is simplified, which is what makes shortage roles more accessible.
Read the guide →ItalyItaly Decreto Flussi
Italy allocates most non-EU work permits, including seasonal, through the annual Decreto Flussi quota. Numbers and application windows are set each year and fill quickly, so timing is everything.
Read the guide →Windows like this don't stay open
The route exists. The hard part is being the one who actually walks it.
Shortage lists change quarter to quarter, quotas fill, and employers move on the candidates who are ready first. We don't hand you a form and wish you luck, we position your profile, time it right, and open the door before the window shifts. The people who make it are the ones who move now.
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