Working in Europe

Since 1992 nationals of one EU Market State have had the right to live, work and study in any other Member State. This right has now been extended to include the EEA (European Economic Area) countries.

Freedom of movement inside the EU means that you have exactly the same rights as a national of the State in which you have chosen to work. You are entitled to the same rates of pay, the same health and social services and the same rights to benefit when you are ill and unemployed. However some of these benefits are only available after tax and Social security contributions have been made in the relevant country.

Residence regulations

If you hold a valid passport/identity card from any EU or EEA member state you can enter another member state for a period of up to three months (six months in the case of the uk), then you need to obtain a Residence permit.

In order to do this you must be able to prove that you will not have 'recourse to the funds' of the Host State. In practice this means that you will be able to prove that you will not claim state benefit and are able to support yourself either by having a student grant, employment, of access to their funds.

If you cannot prove that you will not be dependent upon state funds then you will definitely have trouble getting a residence permit.

Unemployment benefits

You can claim unemployment benefits in any of the EU Member states for up to 3 months.

It is currently possible to look for work for up to three months and to transfer and to claim UK unemployment benefit abroad.

You must have received contribution-based job seekers allowance (JSA-CB) for at least four weeks in the uk before claiming benefit abroad.

You must register within seven days of your arrival in the country and must comply with the national signing on requirements. The benefits you will receive will be at Uk rates, and not those of the country visited.

This does not apply to means-tested benefits (i.e., family credit, income support, housing benefit), these usually vary according to the country of residence.

However, you might be eligible for other benefits that exist in the country you go to. Leaflet JSAL22 gives you more information and is available from your benefits office.