Europe for non-EU passport holders

Advertise on TEFL Tips
Prices start at $20 USD per year.

Index
● Looking for jobs? Go to The LA Job List
● Want information about teaching in Peru? Go to A Country Guide to TEFLing in Peru

Europe for non-EU passport holders
Updated 13 November 2009

The European Union
Special thanks to spiral78 for all her help with this article.

First off, one important thing to remember is that there is a difference between the old EU member states (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom) and the new EU member states (Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia).

If you have a passport from the new EU, you aren't eligible to work in the old EU right away. It depends on what country your passport is from and where you want to work. Different countries are allowing different new EU nationals to work in their countries. Please see the official EU expansion website. Laws about work visas change often, so be sure to check with the embassy of the country you want to work in as well.

Some people will say it's possible to work in the EU without an EU passport, others say it's impossible. The fact is that it IS possible to find legal work in the "old EU", but it is rare. Basically, if you can prove that you're qualified to do a job than a national can't, then you may be eligible for a visa. There are going to be many many English speakers in EU, even in non-English speaking countries. The key to getting a work visa is having qualifications that a national doesn't have. Read these recent discussions to find out more: The EU for Americans, Getting a Job Without an EU Passport, North American Teaching in Europe. One important thing to remember is that the UK and Ireland are part of the EU, so if you have a passport from either of those countries, you are eligibile to legally work in the EU.

Schengen Countries
The 15 Schengen countries are: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Greece, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. All these countries except Norway and Iceland are European Union members. According to the Schengen Agreement, if you're not from an EU country, or one with an agreement (such as Switzerland) or don't have a resident visa you can only stay 90 days out of 180 in the Schengen Countries, making working illegally and border hopping out of the question.

Overstaying, living or working without a visa, could result in fines, arrest, deportation and/or being banned from entering Schengen countries in the future. You can find information more information in Free Travel in Schengen Countries.

More Countries to Join the EU
Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Serbia (Kosovo) are all trying to join the EU as well. If you are in one of these countries now, you should try to get permission to become a permanent resident. By doing so, you might help yourself in the long run. Not only will you be able to stay legally in the country when it becomes part of the EU, but you will might be eligible for a passport, thus allowing you to work anywhere in the EU.

Keep in mind that things don't happen overnight. It may take up to 10 years after joining the EU for citizens from Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, and Serbia to be able to work in the other EU countries. Please see the official EU expansion website for more information.

Non-EU European countries
Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland have all elected not to be part of the EU. However, some countries have agreement allowing their nationals to work in EU member states. If you have a passport from one of these countries, you may be eligible to work in the EU. Check with your embassy for more information.

EU Passports
The EU keeps expanding and with its expansion it's getting harder and harder for those without an EU passport to work there. So what is an EU passport? It's a passport from a country in the EU. In order to get a passport from an EU country, you have to have citizenship. Citizenship is the only way to get it. You can't buy one or fill out a special application for one.

If you don't have a passport from any EU country, try to see if you qualify through ancestory, birth, marriage, or residency. Just remember to look over the information carefully, as some countries may ask you to give up your orginal citizenship.

For ancestory, citizenship is usually passed down by your mom or dad, though someplaces, like Italy may go back to your grandparents. You'll have to check with the embassies for more information. In general, you can usually only claim citizenship through ancestory through your parents, sometimes you can claim it through your grandparents. Italy is fairly straightforward and easy to gain citizenship if you can prove ancestory, for example.
● If you were born in an EU country, then you might also qualify.
● Through marriage and time spent in that country, you may get citizenship.
● If you already legally live in an EU country and have residency, try to find out the details about gaining citizenship through the immigration office.

Living Legally in the EU: There are different ways to live legally in the EU. Take a look at some of your options below.

Studying
Some countries will let you work part time if you study at a university, be sure to research this option carefully. If countries allow you to work, it's only part time, and you will have to study while doing so. Italy for example, will allow you to work up to 20 hours a week if you study. Some institutes charge abour 500usd for a year's worth of classes. See this thread for info about studying in Italy.

Universities in Europe are often cheaper than in other places. Places like Finland and Sweden offer free university. You will of course have to prove that you have enough money to support yourself during your studies, which is about 1000usd a month. And most often than not, you will have to leave once you finish studying, unless you find someone to sponsor you (spouse, common-law partner, employer, etc)

Residency
Another way to work legally in the EU is through residency. Some countries let people on student visas work for a limited number of hours. Likewise if you are married to an EU citizen, you will probably be able to get residency and legally work in that country.

Same goes for birth and possibily ancestory, but again, you'll have to check with the embassy. Also remember that just because you are entitled to work in one country doesn't mean that you can work in all of them. Check with immigrations for specific rules.

Working Holiday Visas and Work Permits will also get your residency. Scroll down for more info.

Working Holiday Visas
Here's a bit of information about working holiday visas. More can be found in the article on Working Holiday Visas. You might also try going to specific country’s embassy’s websites for info about working holiday visas. Expect to earn about 700 to 1000 usd in Europe and about 1000 to 2500 in Asia.

● Any Work Anywhere has information about working holiday visas and what choices are available to you.

● BUNAC helps get work visas for those who qualify. You usually can work between 6-24 months. Americans can work in Britain, France, and Ireland, as well as Canada, New Zealand and Australia. Australians can work in Britain, as well as the USA, Canada, and South Africa. Canadians should try looking at SWAP and Youth.Gc.Ca. A far as working holidays, Canadians get the best deal, they have 12 countries that they can work in (Britain, Ireland, France, Germany, Austria, as well as South Africa, China, Japan, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, and the USA. New Zealanders can work in Ireland, France, USA, Britain, and Canada. South Africans can work in the UK and the USA.

● Germany has working holiday visas for Australians and New Zealanders. And Youth Mobility Visas for Canadians.

● Japan has working holiday exchanges for people with passports from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Korea, Germany, the UK, Ireland and Denmark who are between 18 and 30 and currently residing in their country of citizenship.

● Norway has exchanges for Canadians aged 18 to 35.

● Working Abroad has programmes for those who want to teach English, au pair, or work in the US, but the placement fees are pretty high. For the teaching English jobs, you have to pay a high fee and you could probably find a higher paying job, minus the placement fee if you go to TEFL.com or ESL Cafe.

Work Visas
In order to get a work visa, you usually have to prove that you can do a job that no EU national can do. The Skilled worker permit might start in 2011. There are a couple of programmes that get visas for Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Spain, and the UK. Scroll down for more info. Some places at New Employment might be able to get you a work visa.

Good au pairs are always needed. AIFS, IAPA, Transitions Abroad Au Pair, Transitions Abroad Au Pair in Europe are good places to start research.

If you're an experienced teacher, there are a couple of options open to you. Fulbright has some opportunities available. But be sure to read the eligibility and ineligibility info first. Generally if you have lived abroad for 5 out of the last 6 years this will be a disadvantage. The English Language Fellowship Program through Georgetown University needs Junior and Senior Fellows to be placed around the world. They teach, train or do research. You'll need an MA. Generally if you have lived abroad for 5 out of the last 6 years this will be a disadvantage.

Qualified teacher might be able to work at an international school. There's lots of competition though. And even if you do have lots of experience and qualifications, schools would much rather hire someone from the EU. Still, if you think that you might qualify, try looking at this article about international schools to find out how to apply.

Teaching English sometimes allows you to get a work visa, though usually not in the "old EU". Remember that there are many English speakers in the EU, so the more qualifications and experience that you have, the better. If that doesn't work, there are other options, such as Working Holiday Visas. If you qualify you can get a legal work visa for a specific amount of time. Language institutes might be willing to sponsor a visa for you. Though this rarely happens in the "old EU", countries in the "new EU" might be willing to help you. You can find jobs in TEFL.com, Euro Jobs, and Dave's ESL Cafe. Summer and Winter Camps are always in need of native speakers. Some of them will get you a visa or help you with the process.

For example, Berlitz will get visas for South Africans, Canadians, Americans, Australians, and New Zealanders who have university degrees. Berlitz will get them visas to work in Bulgaria, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Norway, Poland, and Slovenia.

However, they have also written this on their websites for the above countries. Basically you will have to go there for an in person interview and will only be given a freelance position. "Interviews are conducted at our language centre before the training. After successful completion of the interview process, you will be invited to attend the training. Approximately 80% of the candidates who attend the training are given an opportunity to teach at the centre. All instructors are required to apply for temporary residency and a work permit (we can guide you through the application process). These documents can be applied for after you are accepted as a freelance instructor (under such conditions, working hours are flexible and may vary from week to week depending on customer requests and the demand for lessons. Our freelance contract does not cover insurance or compensation for relocation expenses). All Non-EU residents must take care of work permit / Visa prior to application."

● Denmark has a green card programme. You'll need a certain number of points to qualify.

● Finland offers Americans the chance to teach English or do an internship if you're over 21 and either a college junior, senior, or have graduated in the past two years.

● France offers assistant teaching positions for Americans aged 20 to 29. Here's the info from the French embassy in Washington.

● Germany allows non-EU passport holders to get freelance visas. However, they require that you have German-approved health insurance (you can find info on Toy Town Germany, How to Germany, and there's four of them at the bottom of this page). as well as at least two offers of freelance employment. and enough money in the bank to support yourself (at least a couple thousand dollars). It also helps if you know some German to help you deal with the people at the immigration and tax offices.

If you are a non-EU citizen, you need to have a permit to reside and work in Germany. You can enter Germany with a three-month tourist visa and receive a restricted residency permit. At that time you can apply for a position. Once you have signed a contract, you must go to the federal office and have your visa extended to one year with permission to work as a free-lance instructor. In most cases the visa applications are approved. The fee for obtaining a visa with permission to work is about $40. Although you may begin working once you have received your residence permit, you will need to go to the tax office (Finanzamt) in your city to get a tax number. By German law, a tax number is required in order to compensate free-lance employees. Steps can be found at How to Germany. You can read more at this post.

● Spain has teaching assistant programmes for Americans and Canadians who have a college degree. Applications start in November and run until April.

● The UK has a Highly Skilled Migrant Worker Programme, which is known as Tier 1. You will get points based on age, experience, education, among other things.

Country Specific Institutes
The following have been known to help with visas in the past. Try contacting them if you would like to work in Europe.
● Czech Republic: The Boland School,
● Italy: ACLE,
● Spain: English Unlimited
● Russia: Language Link, AAFL,
● Various: Saxoncourt, SOL, IH, Bell, ILS,

Placement Agencies
Places like CIEE, World Teach, I-to-I all offer help with visas and a job for a fee. You can find more placement agencies in Working Holiday Visas. If you decide to go with a placement agency, keep in mind that most English teaching jobs only pay about 500 to 1000 USD a month. Housing and heating costs are often high in other countries, so be sure to balance the placement fee against the money that you'll make. Remember to ask your placement agency if they can get you a legal work visa to work in the EU. Agencies cannot get a visa for a country that doesn't accept non-EU citizens.

Volunteering
Many long term volunteer agencies with provide you with a visa as well as a stipend. Get out the following: Peace Corps, VSO, and CUSO.

More information
Transition Abroad has articles about Teaching in Western Europe and Teaching in Europe, they might be helpful to find out more about visas and jobs. UWEC has a list of some jobs.

TEFL Courses That Get You Jobs
Some TEFL courses will let you work in their institute after you successfully pass their TEFL course. However, it's very rare that they will get you a work visa. Canterbury in Spain allows you to work in their institute, but they don't get you a visa. Here are some discussions about them. Canterbury 1, Canterbury 2, Canterbury 3. The Caledonian School in the Czech Republic is another, but I'm not sure if they get you a visa. If you do decide to do a TEFL course with a company that lets you work in their institute, be sure to ask about visas.




Prevent Piracy
A lot of time and effort has gone into writing TEFL Tips. Please acknowledge this effort and do not reproduce any material on this site in any way shape or form without prior permission.

All posts and all purchased or public documents by Sharon K. Couzens de Hinojosa are copyrighted in compliance with international law.