Which European Countries Have the Most Job Vacancies in 2026 and Where Is It Easier for Foreigners to Find Work

In 2026, the labor market in Europe remains highly uneven. According to Eurostat data for the second quarter, the average vacancy rate in the EU was 2.0%, but in some countries it was twice as high. The Netherlands leads with 4.1%, followed by Belgium at 3.3%, Malta at 3.1%, and Austria at 2.9%. At the same time, the rate in Romania was only 0.5%, while in Poland and Bulgaria it was 0.8% each. The chances of finding a job vary significantly depending on the country, profession, and requirements for foreign candidates.

Earlier, we talked about the European countries where it is easiest to get a work visa and start a career abroad.

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Which European countries have the most job vacancies in 2026?

In the second quarter of 2026, the Netherlands recorded the highest job vacancy rate among EU countries at 4.1%. This is more than twice the EU average of 2.0%. In the eurozone, the vacancy rate was slightly higher at 2.1%.

Job vacancy rates in European countries in the second quarter of 2026, % / Source: Eurostat

The highest job vacancy rates were recorded in the following countries:

- Netherlands – 4.1%

- Belgium – 3.3%

- Malta – 3.1%

- Austria – 2.9%

- Cyprus – 2.6%

- Slovenia – 2.5%

- Germany – 2.4%

- Denmark – 2.3%

- Lithuania – 2.3%

- Latvia – 2.2%

- Sweden – 2.2%

At the other end of the ranking were Romania – 0.5%, Bulgaria and Poland – 0.8% each, Spain and Slovakia – 0.9% each. In Finland, the figure was 1.1%, and in Croatia and Ireland – 1.3% each.

The gap between countries is very wide. In the Netherlands, the vacancy rate is more than eight times higher than in Romania. This illustrates just how varied the demand for workers is within a single European market.

It is important to interpret these figures correctly. The job vacancy rate does not indicate the absolute number of job postings. It reflects the proportion of unfilled positions relative to the total number of employed workers and available jobs. In other words, a high rate means that employers are having a harder time filling existing positions.

Compared to the second quarter of 2025, the situation has not improved everywhere. The vacancy rate rose in only three EU countries: Slovenia by 0.3 percentage points, Greece by 0.2, and Sweden by 0.1. At the same time, the rate fell in 15 countries.

The sharpest declines were recorded in Cyprus, Belgium, and Austria.

For a foreign job seeker, this data is useful only as a preliminary guide. A high vacancy rate does not mean that anyone can easily find a job. Actual chances depend on one’s profession, experience, language skills, labor shortages in a specific industry, and the right to work in the country.

Learn more about the Top 10 countries for working abroad in 2026 by following the link.

Where will it be easier for a foreigner to find a job in Europe in 2026?

A high number of job openings does not necessarily mean that any foreigner will easily find a job. It is important to consider exactly what types of workers are in short supply, how open employers are to candidates from abroad, and whether it is possible to work without fluency in the local language. According to EURES, 57% of labor shortages in Europe are already at a moderate or high level of severity. The greatest shortages are in healthcare, ICT, construction, hospitality, and technical fields.

Among countries with high vacancy rates, the most promising for foreign candidates are:

1. The Netherlands. The country has the highest vacancy rate in the EU—4.1%. There is a particularly acute shortage of electricians, mechanics, production operators, plumbers, installers, healthcare workers, and ICT specialists. There are also job openings for candidates with lower qualifications, primarily in logistics, warehousing, customer service, and cleaning. An additional advantage for foreigners is the widespread use of English, especially in large cities and international companies.

2. Belgium. The vacancy rate stands at 3.3%, and the labor shortage is particularly noticeable in construction, manufacturing, healthcare and social care, the hospitality sector, transportation, and warehouse logistics. In Wallonia, EURES lists 77 occupations with labor shortages, and a significant portion of these are open to candidates with intermediate qualifications. At the same time, language requirements for French, Dutch, or German vary significantly by region.

3. Germany. While the country does not rank first in terms of vacancy rate, its large labor market offers a wide range of job openings. EURES reports shortages of nurses, hospitality workers, mechatronics and energy specialists, construction workers, plumbers, electricians, and transportation and logistics workers. There is also demand for ICT specialists. For most professions outside the international sector, knowledge of German remains an important advantage.

4. Malta. This small market has one of the highest vacancy rates in the EU—3.1%. An important advantage for foreigners is that English is one of the official languages. The greatest opportunities are traditionally concentrated in tourism, hospitality, customer service, financial services, iGaming, and the technology sector.

5. Austria. The vacancy rate stands at 2.9%. Demand remains strong in healthcare, tourism, construction, and technical professions. However, the Austrian market is not equally open to all specializations. In some sectors, there is simultaneously a surplus of candidates, so the specific profession matters more than the overall vacancy rate.

Candidates in high-demand professions have the best chances. In such situations, it is more difficult for employers to find workers domestically, so international recruitment becomes a viable way to fill the vacancy.

This is especially true for nurses, electricians, engineers, welders, mechanics, plumbers, construction workers, ICT specialists, and hospitality workers. It is precisely the shortage of such workers that is common across several European countries.

At the same time, it’s important for a foreigner to consider more than just the number of job openings. The Netherlands may be a better fit for an English-speaking professional than Austria or Germany, but this depends heavily on the profession. In medicine, education, the public sector, and many service-oriented professions, the local language is often practically essential.

Therefore, it makes more sense to look not simply for the country with the highest number of job openings, but for the intersection of three factors: high demand, a shortage specifically in your profession, and realistic requirements regarding language proficiency and work permits. That is where a foreigner’s chances of finding employment will be highest.

In our previous article, we discussed which IT professions most often offer salaries starting at $5,000.

Which professions will be in highest demand in Europe in 2026?

The greatest demand in Europe right now is not concentrated in office jobs, but in fields where it is difficult for employers to quickly replace workers. According to EURES, particularly acute shortages persist in healthcare and social care, construction, technical fields, ICT, transportation, and hospitality. Fifty-seven percent of reported labor shortages in Europe are classified as moderate or severe.

Eurostat confirms this picture at the sectoral level. In the second quarter of 2026, the highest job vacancy rates in the EU business economy were in:

- Construction – 2.8%

- Administrative and support services – 2.8%

- Hotels and restaurants – 2.5%

- Telecommunications, programming, and IT services – 2.2%

- Professional, scientific, and technical activities – 2.2%

At the level of specific occupations, labor shortages are common across many countries. Among the most in-demand occupations, EURES lists nurses, doctors, electricians, plumbers, roofers, welders, truck drivers, construction workers, cooks, and workers in the hotel and restaurant sector. Demand for ICT professionals also remains high, particularly for software developers, systems analysts, cybersecurity specialists, and digital infrastructure specialists.

Healthcare and personal care present a particular challenge. EURES notes that no European country reports a surplus of workers in this sector. An aging population is increasing the need for doctors, nurses, and care workers, while long shifts and challenging working conditions make these positions even harder to fill.

The situation is similar in construction and green energy. Europe needs electricians, plumbers, roofers, and other technical specialists to repair buildings, modernize energy systems, and install renewable-energy equipment. Here, the shortage is structural in nature: training a qualified worker takes years, and the number of new candidates cannot keep up with demand.

In our previous article, we discussed which EU countries are leading in remote work in 2026.

The Netherlands—the EU leader in job vacancies in 2026

The Netherlands currently has the highest job vacancy rate in the EU—4.1%. By comparison, the EU average is 2.0%. This gap means that local employers face significantly greater difficulty filling open positions than in most other European countries.

Demand remains particularly strong in technical and hands-on professions. According to EURES, employers are short on:

- Electricians and plumbers

- Mechanics and technical workers

- Production operators

- Logistics and warehouse workers

- Healthcare and care workers

- ICT specialists

- Customer service representatives

- Hospitality and cleaning staff

The Netherlands is also attractive to foreigners because English is widely used in international companies, the technology sector, logistics, and some service-sector jobs. This significantly lowers the language barrier compared to countries where it is difficult to even pass the initial screening without knowing the local language. At the same time, Dutch is often still required in healthcare, education, the public sector, and customer-facing roles.

There is another important factor. The Netherlands has one of the most international labor markets in the EU, but that doesn’t mean finding a job will automatically be easy. Competition can be high in popular office-based professions, especially among candidates without a narrow specialization. Those with the best chances are those who work in a high-demand profession or have a technical, medical, or digital background.

For citizens of non-EU countries, labor market access rules must also be considered separately. In some cases, the employer needs a permit or “recognized sponsor” status. Separate immigration mechanisms apply to highly skilled professionals, but these come with requirements regarding the employer, salary, and type of contract.

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What prevents foreigners from finding work in Europe?

Even in countries with high demand for workers, foreign candidates may face barriers. EURES identifies language, recognition of qualifications, insufficient information about job openings, and differences in working conditions and pay as major challenges. This is precisely why a labor shortage in one country can coexist with a surplus of workers in the same profession in another.

Most often, the following factors complicate the job search:

1. The language barrier. English may be sufficient in international companies, IT, certain areas of logistics, and customer service. However, in healthcare, education, the public sector, and many service professions, employers often require proficiency in the local language.

2. Recognition of diplomas and qualifications. Rules vary from country to country, and verifying foreign documents can take time. EURES specifically notes that the complexity and inconsistency of recognition procedures remain one of the main barriers to worker mobility in Europe.

3. Regulated professions. For doctors, nurses, pharmacists, architects, and a number of other professions, simply having a degree is not enough. Official recognition of education, registration with a professional body, or proof of language proficiency may be required.

4. Right to work. EU citizens have significantly easier access to the labor markets of other EU member states. Candidates from non-EU countries often need a separate permit, the appropriate type of visa, or an employer willing to go through the sponsorship process.

5. Mismatch between job and qualifications. A foreign national may find a job, but not in their field of expertise or at a level commensurate with their education.

This last issue is particularly evident in Eurostat statistics. In 2025, 41.4% of employed non-EU citizens with higher education held positions for which such qualifications were not required. Among citizens of other EU countries, this figure was 30.2%, and among citizens of their country of residence, only 20.0%.

The situation is also challenging among young mobile workers. According to EURES, 27% of young EU citizens working in another EU country have a higher level of education than is required for their job. Only 51% work in a field closely related to their education. In Belgium and Austria, 33% of young mobile workers consider their skills to be higher than those they actually use at work.

For candidates from outside the EU, the situation may become easier. The European Commission is preparing the EU Talent Pool—a pan-European platform for recruiting qualified workers from third countries. A full launch is scheduled for 2027, and the main focus will be on healthcare, ICT, engineering, hospitality, and construction.

To learn more about the ranking of minimum wages in Europe in 2026, please follow the link.

How to look for a job in Europe in 2026?

The most effective approach is to start your search not with random job postings, but with official European platforms and lists of in-demand professions. This helps you immediately understand where there is real demand for your specialty, what requirements employers have, and whether you need to obtain a work permit.

The main search channels are as follows:

1. EURES. This European network covers 31 countries and publishes job openings, information on working and living conditions, and contact details for career advisors. Through EURES, you can get assistance with your resume, job searches, interviews, and social security issues. As of 2026, the database contains over 2.5 million job openings.

2. Europass. This service allows you to create a resume and profile in a standardized European format. The job search feature on Europass is integrated with EURES, so candidates can use their profile to apply for job openings in different countries simultaneously.

3. National employment services. In Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, and other countries, government portals often list job openings not found on international sites. They also publish information on in-demand occupations and regional job demand.

4. Shortage occupation lists. For foreigners, this is one of the most useful tools. If a profession is officially classified as in short supply, employers are more likely to consider candidates from abroad, and some countries may have simplified immigration procedures.

5. LinkedIn and major local job portals. These are particularly useful for IT, finance, engineering, marketing, sales, and other office-based professions. For blue-collar and service-sector roles, government and industry-specific platforms often yield better results.

Candidates from outside the EU should also verify whether the employer has the right or willingness to hire foreign nationals. Starting in 2026, the updated rules of the Single Permit Directive will take effect in the EU. They provide for a single procedure to obtain the right to reside and work. EU countries must process such applications within 90 days, although the rules do not apply in Denmark and Ireland.

If you are planning to work abroad in 2026 and want to better understand the rules of employment, work permits, taxes, and basic employee rights, it is worth preparing for the move in advance. Visit World's practical working guide will help you navigate the current requirements, types of work permits, and steps to take upon arrival to avoid common mistakes and feel confident in your new life abroad.

We remind you! New economic indicators show which countries have been able to increase their GDP and which have lost ground due to inflation and slowing growth. Ranking of the richest countries in the world in 2026 — follow the link.

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