EU countries have simplified the rules for entry, stay and employment of Ukrainians on the basis of temporary protection status. However, not all cities offer favorable conditions for work. Learn more about the specifics of employment and job search for Ukrainians in Europe

Legal advice on education and employment abroad for Ukrainians

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Since the start of the full-scale invasion, millions of Ukrainians have been forced to flee their homes and travel to Europe as refugees. In most EU countries, 40% to 60% of Ukrainians with temporary protection status are officially employed. However, not all of them are satisfied with their working conditions and benefits.

EU countries are becoming an attractive destination for Ukrainian labor migration. After all, leaving to find a high-paying job is perhaps the main goal of most migrants. You can get a job officially under an employment contract. However, this requires a large package of documents to travel abroad and legally stay in a new country. It is extremely difficult to cope with this task without the services of qualified specialists.

If you need support at all employment stages abroad, please contact Visit Ukraine lawyers.

You can get not only an introductory or basic consultation from a qualified specialist, but also get full legal support, which includes the development of an individual action plan for successful employment, preparation and legalization of documents, preparation for interviews, interaction with employers and recruitment agencies on your behalf, assistance in obtaining a work visa, and ongoing support during the search and the first months of work.

In the previous article, we talked about the details of obtaining an EU work visa for Ukrainians.

What documents do I need to prepare for legal employment abroad?

To be legally employed abroad, you need to collect a large package of documents. The list may vary depending on the chosen country and position.

The standard package of documents includes:

- A foreign (biometric) passport with a sufficient validity period;

- Photocopies of the Ukrainian passport and TIN;

- Work visa.

You may also need letters of recommendation and resume, a notarized work record, diplomas, a certificate of no criminal record, and health insurance, which can be obtained on the Visit Ukraine portal. All documents must be translated into the language of the country where you plan to go.

Visit Ukraine's employment lawyers provide services for the preparation, legalization and translation of all necessary documents. Our specialists can also notarize documents, prepare professional resumes and motivation letters.

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Which EU countries offer the best conditions for employment of Ukrainians?

According to the European Commission, the easiest places for Ukrainians to find employment are in the following cities:

- Prague, Czech Republic;

- Cluj-Napoca, Romania;

- Munich and Hamburg, Germany;

- Bratislava, Slovakia;

- Oslo, Norway;

- Stockholm, Sweden;

- Warsaw, Poland;

- Sofia, Bulgaria;

- Tallinn, Estonia.

Hamburg, Munich, Bratislava, Oslo, Stockholm, Prague, Stockholm, and Warsaw were named the most promising cities with the best job opportunities for Ukrainian refugees. Prague and Warsaw. 

Finding a job in Italy, Spain, and Greece will be quite difficult.

Earlier, we talked about the best European countries for employment of Ukrainians.

The EnableMe Ukraine platform reports that several European countries have significantly simplified employment conditions for refugees from Ukraine. 

One of them is Germany, where you can officially start working after six months of stay in the country. There is a significant demand for specialties that do not require a deep knowledge of German, in particular in warehouses, factories and in the transportation sector (drivers). In addition, employers are looking for workers to care for the elderly, construction workers, and cleaning staff.

In the previous article, we talked about the peculiarities of obtaining a digital nomad visa for Ukrainians in Germany.

The Netherlands also offers attractive vacancies for candidates without language skills. Most often, workers are needed for production, greenhouses, and harvesting farms. 

You can learn more about the specifics of employment in the Netherlands here.

Norway is characterized by particularly high wages: welders, construction workers, production workers, and drivers can earn from two and a half to four thousand euros per month.

You can learn more about jobs for Ukrainians in Norway here.

In Poland, the hotel and restaurant business and the construction sector are currently in the greatest demand. At the same time, the neighboring country has a significant shortage of teachers and healthcare workers with appropriate qualifications. 

You can find out all about employment in Poland: vacancies, documents, and salaries here.

France attracts primarily with vacancies in agriculture and technical positions, but candidates need to be proficient in French.

To learn more about the specifics of employment and working conditions for Ukrainians in different EU countries, please follow the link.

How to find a safe job abroad?

Secure employment abroad is quite achievable if you understand the nuances of the international labor market and pay attention to official documents. First of all, you should carefully check your employment contract. It should specify the rights and obligations of the employee, the characteristics of the future position, and the requirements for professional skills. The contract must contain information about salary, payment schedule, duration of cooperation, details of accommodation and possible additional expenses.

Please note that an employment agreement abroad should be concluded directly with the employer, not with an intermediary. If you are using the services of an employment agency, make sure that it is licensed by the Ministry of Labor and that it is officially registered. Never make any payments until you have read the full contract.

Do not neglect references: look for comments from former employees who may have worked with a particular employer or intermediary. Overly positive or overly negative reviews should be considered with caution, as they may be published by interested parties.

If in doubt, it is better to contact the embassy of the country where you plan to work. Ask whether work visas are issued for Ukrainians, what documents you need to prepare, and how long it takes to get them. Before you leave, provide your family and friends with details about your place of residence, work hours, and contacts. Make copies of all important documents and never hand over your passport to unauthorized persons, except for border guards.

If you need any support at all stages of employment abroad, please contact Visit Ukraine specialists. You can get advice on the optimal choice of a job, employer verification, registration and legalization of diplomas, assistance in organizing relocation and solving everyday issues.

We remind you! Europe has always attracted the attention of people who are looking for jobs with decent salaries. Read more about the average salaries in the EU and the top countries to consider for work.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

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