Work permits
UK decision to invoke Article 50 of the TEU: More information
For the time being, the United Kingdom remains a full member of the EU and rights and obligations continue to fully apply in and to the UK:
As an EU national you generally don't need a work permit to work anywhere in the EU.
Work permits are never required for self-employed people in the EU.
However, some EU citizens still need a work permit to become an employee in certain EU countries.
This only concerns:
- Croatian citizens in some EU countries
- some EU citizens in Croatia
Liechtenstein imposes quotas that limit the number of people who can work and live there. This quota system applies to nationals of all EU countries, Norway and Iceland.
Nationals of Croatia
Your right to work as an employee in another EU country may be restricted by transitional arrangements until 30 June 2020.
Most EU countries have dropped these restrictions. However, you may still need a work permit to work in Austriade.
Working in Croatia
Your right to work as an employee in Croatia may be restricted by transitional arrangements. You may need a work permit if you are from Austria.
Working in Switzerland
Most EU citizens don't need a permit to work in Switzerland. Restrictions apply to nationals of Croatia who still need a work permit and to nationals of Bulgaria and Romania who have a limited access to the labour market. Find out more about working in Switzerland as an EU citizen.
Under the EU-Switzerland agreement on the free movement of persons, Swiss nationals are free to live and work in the EU.
More information
Before you try working in a country that still imposes restrictions, you should seek information on the applicable procedures.
For further advice, contact the public employment service in the country where you wish to work or a European employment adviser
.
Sample story
Make sure you get a work permit before moving abroad
Marko from Croatia accepts a job offer in Vienna and immediately moves to Austria. But he is unable to get a work permit and has to return to Croatia.
If you come from Croatia, it is important to check whether you need a work permit before moving to a new country to take up a job. If so, bear in mind that your application for a work permit might be refused.
Postings abroad
There are no restrictions on posted workers - with one exception: Austria applies temporary restrictions on Croatian workers posted by companies in certain sectors, but not on self-employed people.