Sweden, the Netherlands and Belgium are the best places to apply for jobs in 2022
Have a European passport, will travel: one of the most powerful aspects of this document is the mobility it gives you and the ability to work throughout the block. From Ireland to Greece, across central Europe to Latvia, Sweden and down to Spain and Portugal, Europe is your oyster.
The prospects for 2022 job hunters are also good, according to a recent survey in the second quarter of 41,000 employers, which shows that employers in 36 out of 40 global countries report stronger employment intentions than at this time last year. The greatest demand is in IT, finance and manufacturing, and the demand for skilled labor is still at a record high.
In Europe, the strongest employment plans are reported in Sweden, which estimates that a further 38% of workers will be employed. A similar scenario is expected in the Netherlands (up 36%) and Belgium (up 34%). Employment sentiment has improved from year to year in 20 European countries and has decreased in only three countries. On an urban scale, Paris (up 25%) and Munich (up 33%) get good results and look good for employees – this is run by employers in IT and finance.
If you feel that a move may be in your future, we outline three top destinations below, and for many more open roles, check out our Job Board.
πΈπͺ Sweden πΈπͺ
Can I work here: Yes – if you are an EU citizen, you have the right to work here without a permit.
Why come here: Known for its natural beauty, Sweden offers one of the best qualities of life in the world, with excellent public services and a national commitment to a good work-life balance – according to the OECD’s work-life balance index, the country comes in second place, with its people who spend more than 15 hours a day on leisure or sleeping. However, Sweden is an expensive economy, housing can be difficult to secure and Swedes themselves can initially be difficult to get to know.
What the technical scene looks like: Sweden has a long history in scientific and technological development: Ericsson, Electrolux and Volvo are all names you will know. Stockholm is without a doubt a tech hub and it is here that huge tech names like Spotify and Klarna were born. The scene extends outside the capital with MalmΓΆ experiencing rapid growth in the technology sector as well.
For vacancies in Stockholm, check out our Job Board.
π³π± Netherlands π³π±
Can I work here: Croatian citizens need a work permit for their first 12 months of employment, while citizens of EU / EEA countries or Switzerland can work freely in the Netherlands and perform all types of work.
Why come here: One of the biggest advantages of living in the Netherlands is its proximity to the rest of Europe: you are a short jump to Germany, Denmark, France and Belgium, and from there you can go wherever you want. The Dutch are known for their friendly nature, the cycling culture is unsurpassed, the quality of life is high here and the public service is good.
What the technical scene looks like: Amsterdam is the technical center of the Netherlands and is home to a good mix of startups and big names. 450+ multinational companies, including Tesla, Netflix and Miele X have their European headquarters in Amsterdam and 80 Dutch startups and scale-ups are named on Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500 EMEA list.
For vacancies in Amsterdam, check out our Job Board.
π§πͺ Belgium π§πͺ
Can I work here: EU and EEA citizens can work freely in Belgium without the need for a separate Belgian work permit.
Why come here: Like the Netherlands, Belgium offers good access to a larger Europe as well as a high standard of living and excellent public services, all of which attract investment and workers. The OECD Better Life Index says that Belgium offers a high quality of housing, income, employment and education. Belgium is also considered a safe place to live.
What the technical scene looks like: In addition to being home to the European Commission, Brussels has a growing technical ecosystem and is home to big tech names such as Microsoft, Oracle, Amazon and Cisco Systems. The city has digital campuses, technology hubs, accelerators, incubators and collaboration spaces. Ghent and Antwerp are also on the rise, and are home to companies at the start-up and scale stage.
For vacancies in Brussels, check out our Job Board.
Expand your horizons in 2022 and discover thousands of roles across Europe in our Job Board.