Top European Countries Offering the Most English-Speaking Jobs
Did you know that "jobs in Spain for English speakers” is one of the most searched keywords for our visitors? No wonder, since so many already made their dream come true to move abroad. At this point we have to say though we are not talking about purely English-speaking jobs, it's much more than that it is multilingual jobs. Your native language as German, Dutch, French, or Nordic is what makes you stand out in the market and what gives you the advantage to land a job in Europe.
Cross-border job seeker mobility has been increasing rapidlyafter the recession of the global pandemic and the second quarter of 2022 became the hiring peak for many international companies. This is why many professionals in Europe are looking for a new career challenge abroad. So in this article, we want to help you discover the best countries in Europe and how best to find a job as a European.
Top countries in Europe for English-Speaking Jobs
There are approximately 50 English-speaking countries in Europe including the ones where English is the predominant language. Overall, the English language knowledge in Europe is quite high. In fact, a majority of Europeans report being able to hold a conversation in English. Therefore, it is easier to encourage mobility within Europe than anywhere else.
As a consequence of the mobility and cross-border markets of global companies, there are many opportunities to work in Europe with English and your native language. Many multinational companies with operations in Europe require English speakers for a variety of positions. Some popular choices among English language jobs include customer service, teaching English as a foreign language, and working in the hospitality industry.
Malta:
Malta is a small island nation in the Mediterranean Sea. English is one of the official languages and it's a great place to work if you're looking for an English-speaking job abroad. Especially the e-gaming industry is big there with a lot of customer service jobs.
The Netherlands:
People of the Netherlands are known for their English fluency even though they appreciate speaking Dutch with new learners. As the country attracts many tourists and startups, it is safe to say that finding an English-speaking job would not be a big concern.
Portugal:
Portugal does not have English as an official language but it is still a great place to find jobs in any European language plus English. Many international companies have offices in Lisbon and created customer service hubs for which German, Dutch and French Speakers are always needed.
Greece:
Similar to Portugal Greece, does not have English as an official language and with Greece being quite different from other European languages it might be a bit tougher to find your way in the country. Nevertheless, you will also find international customer service hubs in Greece or tourism-related jobs that require English and other European language skills.
Spain:
Last but not least Spain is also a country that has a variety of international jobs. Especially in a multinational city like Barcelona, you will see that English is spoken quite frequently and the need for Spanish is not so big, although learning the local language is always a great idea for a proper integration.
Find a job abroad *Please only apply if you are an EU citizen or have a valid work permit
Can I live in Spain or Portugal if I only speak English?
As Barcelona and Lisbon became popular destinations for European job seekers we get this question a lot. The answer is yes! In fact, according to EF Education’s English Proficiency Index, Portugal is in the top 10 English-proficient countries in the world, while Spain is 35th with an intermediate score in proficiency.
However, finding a country with a higher-level English proficiency does not necessarily mean that it should be your first choice when looking to move abroad for a job. Instead, checking the number of international openings on job boards and contacting international recruitment agencies to get more information on the market can give you a better idea. For instance, even though Spain is relatively low on the list for English proficiency, in Barcelona the English-speaking population is higher than in other cities and quite a high ratio of jobs actually require English proficiency as the primary or secondary language. You can easily find jobs in IT, Marketing, or Finance in Barcelona with English.
Similarly in Lisbon, as the international market is growing the demand for European language speakers is increasing. Even though the volume of opportunities for only English-speaking professionals might be lower in Lisbon than in Barcelona you will find a great portfolio of opportunities if you speak another European language at a native level.
You want to move to Portugal? Find out all about the Top In-Demand Jobs and the economic situation in Portugal here.
How to Find an English-Speaking or Multilingual Job in Europe?
Considering all the information given above you probably already figured out that there are many ways to find an English-speaking job in Europe. One way is to search online job boards or company websites for open positions. Another way is to contact companies directly and inquire about English-speaking job openings. Finally, many recruitment agencies like Blu Selection specialise in finding employment for English speakers in Europe. Some places where English is not an official language but where English-speaking jobs may be available include international organisations; multinational corporations operating in global markets; embassies and consulates; tourist destinations; and language schools.
Many online job boards, such as Indeed, Monster, and Glassdoor, list language-specific job openings in Europe that focus on English-speaking jobs in non-English-speaking countries.
There are many recruitment agencies that specialize in finding employment for European language speakers with a good level of English. Blu Selection is one of these. We have a lot of openings for native language speakers, especially German, Dutch, French and Nordic languages. English is an additional requirement for all our job openings. We guide candidates through the entire recruitment process and the job market of a foreign country and make sure that you are well prepared for meeting your future employer and starting your job abroad. If you want to make use of this support (completely for free of course), the button below will lead you to all our job openings.
Find a job abroad *Please only apply if you are an EU citizen or have a valid work permit
Network with other English-speaking communities who live in the country
Attend industry events or connect with professionals in your field to learn about job openings. Join expat groups, people there may have information about companies that are looking for English-speaking employees just like yourself. Make sure you check with your local foreign language school as they may have information about companies that are looking for international and English-speaking employees as well.
Be flexible, patient, and stay positive
There are many opportunities for multilingual and English speakers in Europe, but being open to different types of jobs and locations will increase your chances of finding employment. Don’t forget that the job search process can take time, so be prepared to continue your search for more than just a month. In general, the job search can be challenging, but staying positive and persistent will eventually lead to success.
Are you ready to kickstart your job search in Europe with recruitment experts who happen to be expats as well? Here we are, ready to help you land your new career challenge with your language skills.
