I've been thinking about moving to Europe. I've never been abroad and I only know English and a little bit of Spanish. I'm in my mid 20s and I need to experience what the world (starting with Europe) has to offer. How would I go about moving to Europe??
2007-12-06 15:14:33 · 7 answers · asked by M S 2 in Travel ➔ Europe (Continental) ➔ Other - Europe
You could move freely within the EU, if you were an EU citizen. However, if you're a US citizen, you can't just show up in Europe and stay for longer than 3 months. It is illegal to work here without the proper work visa or student visa.
In general in Europe, and in particular here in Italy, you have to have a job lined up in order to get a work visa before you move here from the US. You can only stay for 90 days without some type of visa (work, student, ...). You cannot apply for the visa while you're here and you'll need the proper paperwork from the company. Coming from the US, you'll also have to have skills that can't easily be duplicated here.
There are several on-line ex-pat sites that are good resources for researching moving to Italy; here are two to start with:
http://www.expatsinitaly.com/
http://www.expatsinitaly.com/before/gett...
http://www.insight-italy.com/artscsii.ht...
You can find similar sites for other countries.
http://www.xpat.nl/index1.html
http://www.expats.cz/
http://www.francethisway.com/wp/
http://www.howtogermany.com/pages/expat....
Please be aware that you will have to file taxes both here and in the US if you retain your US citizenship.
Another resource to check for specific requirements is the website for the US consulate for the country (countries) you're interested in.
2007-12-06 18:19:24 · answer #1 · answered by conley39 7 · 10⤊ 0⤋
I'm an Army brat, and I grew up in Germany. The first thing you should know is that unless you are working, you will not be allowed to stay longer than 90 days. This is what I did when I was no longer affiliated with the military but wanted to go back to Germany. I began searching for jobs working FOR the military as a DOD civilian. I found a job on a military base, was hired for the job while I was still in the states, and then I packed up and moved.
Another thing you should know is that most Europeans, especially Germans, DO speak English. I attended a German school, so I know for a fact that it is a required class for them to take.
My suggestion for you would be to work for the military, and then choose where you would like to be. Most countries DO have military installations, so you can choose almost any country. Plus, with that, you'll have steady income and you'll be in constant contact with other people who can show you around or give you the ins and outs of the area. Plus, I'm not sure how much education or experience you have, but if you are hired for the RIGHT position, they will actually PAY for you to move all of your belongings, such as household good (all your furniture and things) as well as your car.Be sure to search for jobs that mention "paid relocation". Here are some websites you can look at to search for government jobs: (Good Luck!)
2007-12-07 09:52:59 · answer #2 · answered by Cookie 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You need to have skills and qualifications, but you also need to be aware that you are way down the list of employability, as a US citizen.
In any EU country (European Union is not the same as Europe, so go and check which country you might like to try out first), employers are obliged to fill job vacancies from the pool of potential candidate from their own country first. If they cannot find a suitable candidate from their own country, they may then look at potential candidates from EU countries. Only if they cannot find anyone suitably qualified from either their own country or from the EU who is available to take the job do they look outside of the EU.
EU nationals are required to register with the police in their host country and to apply for a residency permit, and they can work with this. Other nationalities have to go through the whole rigmarole of getting a visa and work permit, and it's very expensive and time-consuming.
I suggest heading for Spain first with an qualification to teach English as a foreign language, it's very easy to get work in this. But insist on seeing the contract, the paperwork, etc. and have it checked out as well. You might not be on the books, Spanish employers are notorious for attempting to dodge paying social benefits for their employees, and employees don't always find out until they have to see a doctor or whatever.
2007-12-10 07:37:58 · answer #3 · answered by Orla C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make sure you get a VISA if u are moving there, it takes a while to process them and they are hard to get.. I am actually thinking about moving to England, possibly for college.. I have heard it is beautiful there...And they speak english there lol, so that would be an easy place for me to start... I want to go back to europe and backpack, explore before i decide to make such a drastic change.. (Not that i mind the change, i want the change!!....) However, make sure you have done ur research.. VISAS are a must when u want to move to a different country.. there are different varieties I hope this answer, helped! I have actually posted a question about Visas, and i will show you the answer i chose for best answer.. its in the source section.. alright, Hopefully this helps, and GOOD LUCK!!!
2007-12-07 00:00:28 · answer #4 · answered by alohaforever16 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In Europe the electrical devices run on 220v. Thats all.
2007-12-06 23:18:33 · answer #5 · answered by Matt S 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Get on a plane and go.
2007-12-06 23:22:04 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
most europeans aren't the friendliest, except the likes of the irish, and dutch
2007-12-06 23:37:11 · answer #7 · answered by steven s 4 · 0⤊ 5⤋