Greece is intensifying efforts to reverse its post-crisis brain drain, launching a global talent outreach campaign aimed at enticing highly skilled nationals back home. The initiative, spearheaded by Labour Minister Niki Kerameus, includes a series of international roadshows across European cities targeting Greek professionals who left during the country’s protracted economic downturn. More than 500,000 Greeks—many of them young and highly...
Sweden is preparing to overhaul its labour migration framework, with a planned relaxation of work permit rules for third-country nationals set to come into effect from May 2026. The move is part of the government’s effort to align national legislation with the revised EU Single Permit Directive and bolster the country’s competitiveness in attracting international talent. The proposal, currently under parliamentary review, would introduce a...
The European Union (EU) is grappling with a growing crisis that threatens its economic stability: a significant shortage of skilled labor. Key industries such as construction, healthcare, transportation, and information and communication technology (ICT) are struggling to find qualified workers to meet rising demands. As the global competition for talent intensifies, the EU must act decisively to address this challenge and secure its economic...
The European Union is on the cusp of a new enlargement round, potentially welcoming nations from the Western Balkans into its fold. This process is more than just a political formality; it's a major shift that will reshape the EU job market and impact migration patterns. The latest policy brief from Clingendael and the European Policy Centre (EPC), "Labour Migration and EU Enlargement: Reconciling Dutch and Western Balkan Priorities," digs deep...
Brussels, 10 March 2025 – EU employment and social affairs ministers will convene at the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council to discuss key labour market challenges, including strategies to extend working careers and promote workforce participation among older employees. One of the primary topics on the agenda is the European Semester and its role in shaping employment and social policies across the EU. With an...
Europe is facing enormous challenges. It is all the more important now to strengthen the stability anchors of the European Union - this also includes the European Social Fund (ESF). The study "Further Development of the European Social Fund in the Funding Period 2028-2034" provides concrete recommendations for action. Against this background, on February 5, 2025, high-ranking representatives from Germany, the EU Commission and the EU member...
ELA supported cross-border inspections of 50 companies in hotel, restaurant and catering (HORECA) sector in June. More than 400 workers were interviewed. Three joint inspections took place between 10-16 June in Cyprus, Lithuania and Romania. The action was carried out by labour inspectors in cooperation with enforcement officers from social security and tax authorities, as well as Police. Observers joined from Belgium, Croatia, Lithuania,...
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) represent 99% of all businesses in the EU. The definition of an SME is important for access to finance and EU support programmes targeted specifically at these enterprises. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are defined in the EU recommendation 2003/361. The main factors determining whether an enterprise is an SME are staff headcount either turnover or balance sheet total...
Decision on applications must be made in maximum 90 days Permit holder can apply from within the EU territory and change employer Unemployment possible up to six months without having permit withdrawn The European Parliament backed today more effective EU rules for combined work and residence permits for third-country nationals. The update of the Single permit directive, adopted in 2011, which established a single administrative procedure...
