Europe’s labor market continues to evolve, creating new opportunities for foreign workers, skilled professionals, and entry-level applicants. Recent employment trends show strong demand in manufacturing, sales, logistics, and operational roles, while some technical fields have seen slower vacancy growth due to market maturity.
Growth in Manufacturing Jobs Creates New Opportunities
The manufacturing sector has recorded the strongest growth in job vacancies, with a 4.2% increase in open positions. This rise highlights a shortage of available workers and creates excellent opportunities for job seekers, especially those without advanced degrees.
Manufacturing companies across Europe need workers for:
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Production and assembly roles
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Machine operation and maintenance
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Quality control and inspection
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Warehouse and packaging work
These positions often offer stable income, long-term contracts, and opportunities for career growth.
Sales, Marketing, and Business Roles Are in High Demand
Demand for commercial and business support roles has increased significantly. Companies need professionals who can help grow their business, manage clients, and support operations.
Key roles with increased demand include:
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Sales, marketing, and business development managers (+3.0 percentage points)
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Sales representatives and retail staff (+2.8 percentage points)
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Office support staff and administrative assistants (+2.4 percentage points)
These roles are important for helping companies maintain daily operations and expand their market presence.
Transportation and Logistics Sector Continues to Expand
Transportation and logistics jobs have increased by 2.5 percentage points. This growth is driven by expanding e-commerce, global trade, and supply chain needs.
Common high-demand logistics roles include:
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Truck drivers and delivery drivers
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Warehouse workers
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Logistics coordinators
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Supply chain assistants
These positions are widely available across Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, and other EU countries.
Vacancies Have Decreased in Some Technical Fields — But Demand Remains Strong
Some professions have seen a decrease in the share of open vacancies, including:
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Biological science technicians (-2.6 percentage points)
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Database and network specialists (-1.7 percentage points)
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Software developers and analysts (-1.5 percentage points)
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Hotel and restaurant managers (-1.1 percentage points)
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Skilled craftsmen (-1.0 percentage points)
However, this decline does not mean these jobs are disappearing. In fact, IT professionals remain highly valued. The decrease reflects market stabilization, not reduced importance.
Many companies already employ large numbers of IT specialists, so vacancy growth appears slower even though employment remains strong.
Countries with the Highest Salaries in Europe
Western and Northern European countries continue to offer the highest salaries.
Top countries by average annual salary include:
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Luxembourg: about €83,000 per year
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Iceland: over €77,000 per year
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Germany: €53,791 per year
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France: €43,790 per year
Luxembourg leads due to its strong financial sector and international business presence.
Countries Where It Is Easiest to Find a Job
Countries with high employment rates usually offer more job opportunities and faster hiring.
Top countries with strong employment rates include:
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Netherlands: 83.5% employment rate
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Malta: 83.0% employment rate
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Czech Republic: 82.3% employment rate
These countries have stable labor markets and strong demand for workers across multiple sectors.
Countries Where Job Search May Be More Difficult
Some European countries have lower employment rates, which can make job searching more competitive.
Examples include:
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Italy: 67% employment rate
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Greece: 68% employment rate
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Romania: 69% employment rate
Higher competition means it may take longer to find suitable employment in these countries.
Hidden unemployment is also more common in countries such as Spain, France, and Turkey, where people may work part-time but want full-time jobs.
Important Steps Before Working in Europe
If you plan to work in the EU, preparing your documents is essential. Most foreign workers need:
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Valid passport
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Work visa
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Work permit
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Employment contract
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Educational and professional certificates
Missing documents can delay your application or lead to rejection. Proper preparation improves your chances of getting hired quickly.
Conclusion: Strong Opportunities Across Multiple EU Sectors
The EU job market offers excellent opportunities, especially in manufacturing, sales, logistics, and operational roles. While some technical sectors show slower vacancy growth, demand for skilled workers remains strong.
Countries like the Netherlands, Germany, Malta, and the Czech Republic offer stable employment conditions and strong hiring demand. For foreign workers, preparing documents and targeting high-demand sectors can significantly improve employment chances.
Europe remains one of the best regions for building a long-term career and achieving financial stability.