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Work & Career Abroad

Find a job, adapt your CV, understand your visa rights — all in one place

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What Can You Do With Your Visa?

Work rights vary significantly by visa type and country

Visa Type Work for Employer Freelance / Self-Employed Notes
Chancenkarte ✓ Up to 20h/week ✕ Not allowed Job-search visa; 20h work permitted to cover costs
EU Blue Card ✓ Full-time △ With permit Tied to sponsoring employer for first 2 years
Work Visa (18a/b) ✓ Full-time ✕ Not allowed Employer-specific; changing jobs requires new visa
Student Visa △ 120 full days/year ✕ Not allowed Student jobs (Werkstudent) common and legal
Niederlassungserlaubnis (PR) ✓ Unrestricted ✓ Unrestricted Full work freedom; also allows Gewerbe (trade license)
Freelance Visa (Freiberufler) ✕ Not primary ✓ Unrestricted For artists, journalists, IT consultants, teachers
Germany tip: "Freiberufler" (liberal professions) and "Gewerbetreibende" (trade business) are taxed differently. IT contractors and consultants can usually register as Freiberufler — simpler and no trade tax (Gewerbesteuer).
Visa Type Work for Employer Freelance / Self-Employed Notes
D7 Passive Income △ Limited (remote only) ✓ Allowed Must prove passive income; remote work for foreign clients OK
Work Visa (D1) ✓ Full-time ✕ Not primary Requires job offer from Portuguese employer
Digital Nomad Visa (D8) △ Remote only ✓ Freelance OK Min 4x Portuguese minimum wage income required
Student Visa (D4) △ 20h/week ✕ Not allowed Part-time work allowed; full-time during vacations
Residence Permit (AR) ✓ Unrestricted ✓ Unrestricted Full work rights; green card equivalent
Portugal NHR regime (2025 update): The old NHR is replaced by IFICI+ (Incentivo Fiscal Colectividade Internacional). New residents can apply for reduced 20% flat tax on Portuguese-source income for 10 years. Consult a tax advisor before registering as NIF holder.
Visa Type Work for Employer Freelance / Self-Employed Notes
Non-Lucrative Visa ✕ Not allowed ✕ Not allowed Passive income only; must prove EUR 28,800+/year
Digital Nomad Visa △ Remote only ✓ Allowed (80% remote) Max 20% of income from Spanish clients allowed
Work & Residence Permit ✓ Full-time ✕ Separate permit Employer must prove no suitable Spanish/EU candidate
Beckett Law (Beckham Law) ✓ Yes ✓ Yes Special 24% flat tax rate for 6 years; apply within 6 months of arrival
Spain Beckham Law: If you move to Spain for work and havent been a Spanish tax resident in the past 5 years, you can apply for a 24% flat income tax rate (vs. up to 47% standard). Huge saving if earning above EUR 60k. Apply via Modelo 149 within 6 months.
Visa Type Work for Employer Freelance / Side income Notes
H-1B ✓ Sponsor only ✕ Not allowed Employer-specific; changing jobs requires H-1B transfer
O-1 (Extraordinary Ability) ✓ Multiple petitioners △ With agent petition More flexible than H-1B; can work for multiple companies via agent
L-1 (Intracompany Transfer) ✓ Sponsoring company ✕ Not allowed Must work for the US subsidiary of your current employer
F-1 Student + OPT △ OPT: 12-36 months △ In your field only OPT allows work in your field of study for 12 months (36 for STEM)
Green Card (EB-2/EB-3) ✓ Unrestricted ✓ Unrestricted Full work authorization; can start own company
H-1B lottery alert: Annual H-1B quota is 85,000. The lottery takes place in March for October start. Odds are ~20-30% each year. Consider O-1 as an alternative if you have achievements to document (publications, awards, media coverage, high salary).
Visa Type Work for Employer Freelance / ZZP Notes
Highly Skilled Migrant (HSM) ✓ Sponsor employer ✕ Not allowed Min salary EUR 5,008/mo (<30yo: EUR 3,672). IND processes in 2 weeks.
EU Blue Card (NL) ✓ Full-time ✕ Not allowed Salary min EUR 5,008/mo; degree required
Self-Employment (ZZP) Permit ✕ Not primary ✓ Unrestricted Must register at KVK (Chamber of Commerce); 30% ruling may apply
30% Ruling: Highly skilled migrants from outside the EU may apply for the 30% tax ruling — 30% of salary is tax-free for up to 5 years. Apply within 4 months of starting work. Major financial advantage; worth applying for immediately.
Visa Type Work for Employer Freelance / Self-Employed Notes
Skilled Worker Visa ✓ Sponsor only ✕ Not allowed Employer must be Home Office-licensed sponsor; points-based
Global Talent Visa ✓ Unrestricted ✓ Unrestricted For leaders in science, tech, arts, academia. Endorsed by qualifying bodies.
Student Visa △ 20h/week term-time ✕ Not allowed Full-time work allowed during vacation periods
Innovator Founder Visa △ In own business ✓ Own company Must establish innovative business; endorsed by approved body
UK Skills Shortage List: Roles on the Shortage Occupation List have lower salary thresholds and faster processing. Check gov.uk for the current list — it changes annually.

Job Boards by Country

Where locals actually post and find jobs — not just the global ones

🇩🇪 Germany

SS
StepStone.de
Germany's #1 job board — filter by English-required
BA
Bundesagentur fur Arbeit
Official German employment agency job portal
MG
Make it in Germany
Government platform specifically for international workers
X
XING
German LinkedIn alternative — create a profile here

🇵🇹 Portugal

NE
Net-Empregos
Portugal's largest local job board
IT
ITJobs.pt
Tech jobs in Portugal — many English-language roles
SP
SAPO Emprego
Part of Portugal's biggest media group
EP
Expats.pt Jobs
English-language jobs and expat community board

🇺🇸 USA

Li
LinkedIn Jobs
Essential — filter "visa sponsorship" in settings
H1
H1BData.info
Search employers who have sponsored H-1Bs in the past
In
Indeed
Use "visa sponsorship" keyword filter in search
GD
Glassdoor
Salary data + company reviews before you apply

🇳🇱 Netherlands & 🇬🇧 UK

WN
Werken bij Nederland
Dutch government jobs portal
MB
Monsterboard.nl
Major Dutch job board with English filter
TJ
TotalJobs (UK)
UK's second largest job board after Indeed
CV
CV-Library (UK)
Upload your CV and let recruiters find you
Pro tip: When applying for jobs that require visa sponsorship, search for companies that have sponsored visas in the past (use H1BData.info for USA, or check LinkedIn company pages). A company that has never sponsored a visa will likely not start for you.

CV Adaptation Guide

Each country has different CV conventions — get these wrong and you'll be filtered out before an interview

Must Include

Lichtbild (photo) — Professional photo is standard and expected in Germany. Top-right corner. Suit or business casual. Use a white/neutral background.
Deckblatt (cover page) — Many German applications include a separate cover page with your photo, contact details and role applied for.
Reverse chronological order — Most recent position first. Include exact start/end months (not just years).
Anlagen (attachments) — Include certified copies of your degree and relevant certificates. Germans value proof over claims.

Avoid

✕ Longer than 2 pages (even for senior roles)
✕ Personal info like marital status or nationality (though date of birth is still common)
✕ Gaps without explanation — mention Weiterbildung (training) or travel
Language: Apply in German unless the job posting is in English. Even if you need Google Translate help — German applications signal commitment.

Must Include

Personal statement (2-3 lines) — Concise summary at the top. Who you are, what you bring, what you're looking for.
Bullet points under each role — Start with action verbs. Quantify results. "Increased sales by 30%" beats "responsible for sales".
References available on request — Standard footer. Have 2 professional references ready.

Avoid

✕ Photo — UK CVs never include a photo (discrimination law)
✕ Age, date of birth, nationality or marital status
✕ More than 2 pages
Right to work: UK employers must check your right to work before hiring. If you need sponsorship, say so upfront in your cover letter — don't let them discover it later.

Must Include

One page (junior/mid) or two (senior) — US recruiters spend 6-7 seconds on a first scan. Keep it tight.
ATS keywords — Most US companies use Applicant Tracking Systems. Mirror language from the job description. Include exact skills mentioned.
Quantified achievements — Numbers are king. Revenue, users, savings, percentage improvements. Every bullet should have a metric if possible.
LinkedIn profile URL — Expected on all US resumes. Make sure your LinkedIn is up to date and matches the resume.

Avoid

✕ Photo, age, gender, religion, nationality
✕ "Curriculum Vitae" — it's called a "Resume" in the US (CV = academic only)
✕ References on the document itself
Visa status: You are NOT required to disclose visa status on a resume. Some candidates add "Authorized to work in the US / require sponsorship" at the bottom — optional but saves time.

Must Include

Europass format — Many Portuguese employers still use or expect the EU standard Europass format. Create at europass.europa.eu
Languages section — List all languages with CEFR level (A1-C2). Portuguese employers value multilingualism highly.
Photo — Unlike UK/US, a photo is standard and expected in Portugal.

Key Tips

Portuguese business culture values personal relationships. A referral or introduction is worth more than a great CV. Network on LinkedIn before applying cold.
Tech sector in Lisbon/Porto often runs entirely in English — check the company language before deciding which language to write your CV in.

Must Include

Motivatiebrief (cover letter) — Dutch companies value a well-written motivation letter. Explain why this company specifically — generic letters are spotted immediately.
BSN or work permit status — If you are already in the Netherlands, mention your work authorization status in the cover letter.
Clean, minimal design — Dutch aesthetic is direct and clean. Avoid flashy templates.

Key Tips

Most Dutch companies operate in English — especially in Amsterdam. Applying in English is perfectly acceptable and often preferred.
Dutch directness extends to interviews — be prepared for very blunt feedback questions like "What is your biggest weakness?" answered honestly, not diplomatically.

Salary Benchmarks by Country & Sector

Median gross annual salary in EUR (2025 data). Always verify with current job postings.

Sector 🇩🇪 Germany 🇵🇹 Portugal 🇺🇸 USA* 🇳🇱 Netherlands 🇬🇧 UK
Software Engineer (mid) EUR 65k EUR 28k EUR 100k+ EUR 60k EUR 58k
Product Manager EUR 75k EUR 35k EUR 120k+ EUR 72k EUR 68k
Marketing Manager EUR 55k EUR 25k EUR 80k EUR 52k EUR 50k
Finance / Accounting EUR 58k EUR 24k EUR 75k EUR 55k EUR 52k
Healthcare (Nurse) EUR 38k EUR 18k EUR 62k EUR 38k EUR 34k
Skilled Trades EUR 36k EUR 17k EUR 55k EUR 36k EUR 33k
Teacher / Educator EUR 50k EUR 20k EUR 52k EUR 42k EUR 36k

* USA figures converted at current EUR/USD rate. Sources: Glassdoor, Payscale, Numbeo, OECD 2025 data. Portugal figures reflect local market; remote workers for foreign companies earn significantly more.

Glassdoor Salaries
Self-reported, company-specific
Levels.fyi
Tech industry, total comp breakdown
Numbeo
Compare purchasing power by city

Freelance & Remote Work Rules

Working remotely for a foreign company? The rules are very country-specific

🇩🇪

Germany

✓Freiberufler: For liberal professions (IT, journalism, teaching, arts). Simpler registration, no trade tax.
✓Gewerbe: For trading activities. Register at Gewerbeamt (EUR 15-65). Subject to Gewerbesteuer above EUR 24,500/year profit.
!Remote workers on work visa: Need employer permission and possibly a change of visa status to work for foreign clients.
↗ Freelancer platform Germany
🇵🇹

Portugal

✓Recibos Verdes (green receipts): Register as "trabalhador independente" at Financas. Issue invoices via e-fatura portal.
✓D7 + D8 visas allow remote work for foreign companies.
!IRS simplified regime: If earning under EUR 200k, you pay tax on a fixed % of revenue (75% for services). Simpler than full accounting.
↗ e-Fatura portal
🇳🇱

Netherlands (ZZP)

✓ZZP (Zelfstandige Zonder Personeel): Register at KVK (EUR 90). Get a KVK number and VAT (BTW) number.
✓30% ruling may apply if you relocated from abroad.
!Schijnzelfstandigheid risk: Dutch tax authority checks if your ZZP is genuine (not disguised employment). Have at least 3 clients.
↗ Register at KVK.nl
🇪🇸

Spain

✓Autonomo: Register at Agencia Tributaria + Social Security. Fixed monthly Social Security contribution (~EUR 294-1,294/mo based on income).
✓Digital Nomad Visa (D8) allows up to 20% of income from Spanish clients.
!Beckham Law: Apply within 6 months of arrival for flat 24% tax rate (significant saving above EUR 60k).
↗ Agencia Tributaria
🇬🇧

UK

✓Sole trader: Register with HMRC for Self Assessment. Keep receipts — claim business expenses to reduce tax.
✓Ltd company: More tax-efficient above ~GBP 50k. Pay yourself salary + dividends.
!IR35: If you work predominantly for one client, HMRC may class you as "deemed employee" — losing tax benefits. Get an IR35 check.
↗ HMRC self-employment guide

Global Remote Platforms

Toptal — Elite developer network Remote.com — EOR for global workers Deel — International contractor payments Andela — Global tech talent network Upwork — Freelance marketplace

Diploma & Qualification Recognition

Getting your foreign credentials recognized is often the hardest part of a work move

Why it matters: In many countries (especially Germany and Netherlands), regulated professions (medicine, law, engineering, teaching) legally require your foreign degree to be officially recognized before you can practice. Non-regulated professions still benefit from recognition for employment purposes.

🇩🇪 Germany

Anabin database: Check if your university and degree are recognized. ↗ anabin.kmk.org
Anerkennung in Deutschland: Official recognition portal with step-by-step guide by profession. ↗ anerkennung-in-deutschland.de
BMBF Bewertungshotline: Free counselling on foreign qualification recognition — call +49 30 1683 1180
Timeline: Simple cases 3-4 months. Regulated professions (medicine, dentistry, pharmacy) can take 1-2 years. Start BEFORE arriving if possible.

🇺🇸 USA

WES (World Education Services): Most common credential evaluation service. Accepted by most US employers and universities. ↗ wes.org
ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators): Alternative to WES; widely accepted. ↗ ece.org
Professional licenses: Medicine, law, engineering, and nursing all require state-level licensing regardless of credentials. Check your specific state board.

🇵🇹 Portugal

DGES: Directorate-General for Higher Education handles academic recognition. ↗ dges.gov.pt
NARIC Portugal: National centre for the recognition of foreign higher education. Takes 3-6 months.
EU Bologna Process: Degrees from EU/Bologna countries are automatically recognized for employment purposes (not regulated professions). Brazilian degrees require equivalency process.

🇬🇧 UK & 🇳🇱 Netherlands

ENIC-NARIC UK: Official recognition body. ↗ enic.org.uk
IDW Netherlands: Information centre on diplomas and professional qualifications. ↗ idw.nl
Get an Apostille stamp on your diplomas in your home country before moving. This authenticates the document internationally and saves weeks of additional steps later.

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