Unskilled Migration

Many European countries have labour shortages in essential sectors such as construction, manufacturing, hospitality and logistics, and recruit workers from outside the EU to fill them. For people working in hotels, warehouses, factories, construction sites and cleaning and maintenance teams, these roles can offer stable income, international work experience and, in some countries, longer-term prospects. In most cases the employer applies for or supports a work permit before you apply for a visa.

Each country runs its own system. Poland, Romania, Hungary, Croatia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Malta use employer-led permits, often with a labour market test, an annual quota or limits on which nationalities can apply. Italy admits workers within quotas set by government decree, Germany focuses on recognised vocational qualifications, and Portugal and the Netherlands have their own conditions. Common sectors include construction and general labour, warehousing and logistics, manufacturing and factory work, hospitality and housekeeping, agriculture, cleaning and maintenance, food processing and packaging, and driving. The rules change often, so the right route depends on your trade, your documents and the employer behind the offer.

This area also attracts a great deal of fraud. Ashford is not a recruitment agency and does not sell jobs. We help you understand which countries and sectors suit your experience, guide you through the immigration side, help you check an offer before you pay anyone or resign, and explain what each step involves.