Top
***** Top 24 hours!!! ***** Classifieds for sale Do you want to buy classifieds? Classifieds for sale Do you want to buy classifieds?

Working abroad: how to find a job safely

A job in another country can mean better pay and new experience – if you prepare well. This guide takes you through every step: where to look, how to check an employer, what the contract must say, which documents to take, your first steps after arriving and the most common scams.

  • Step by step
  • Checking the employer
  • Spot a scam
Job adsJob search guide
Person with a suitcase and an employment contract in front of a map of Europe

From job ad to your first day at work

1

Choose the country and the job

Compare wages, living costs, language and working conditions in the countries you are interested in.

2

Check your right to work

Find out whether you need a work permit or visa for that country – it depends on your citizenship.

3

Prepare your CV

In the language of the country or in English, with clear experience and contact details.

4

Check the employer

The company, its address, reviews and other workers’ experiences – before you agree to anything.

5

Contract before you leave

A written contract or offer stating pay, working hours and accommodation before you travel.

6

First steps on arrival

Registering your address, health insurance, a bank account and a tax number.

Where to look for work

The best sources are the ones where you can check the employer.

  • Ads in the Job category on Retemax, where you contact the employer directly.
  • Official job websites in the country you are going to.
  • The companies’ own websites, in the Careers or Jobs section.
  • Recruitment agencies that are officially registered and don’t ask workers for money up front.
  • Recommendations from friends and acquaintances who already work in that country or company.

How to check an employer

A genuine employer has nothing against you checking them out.

  • Look up the company name in that country’s official company register.
  • Check that the address exists and belongs to the company.
  • Read other workers’ experiences and reviews of the company.
  • Ask for a written offer or contract with the company name and a named contact person.
  • Ask for a face-to-face or video interview with someone from the company.
  • If an agency is hiring you, check that it is registered and who the actual employer is.

What the contract or offer must say

Before you leave, you need to know exactly what terms you will be working under.

  • The name and address of the employer and the place of work.
  • The job description and working hours.
  • Pay – gross or net amount, currency and payday.
  • The length of the contract and the probation period.
  • Accommodation: who pays for it, how much it costs and whether it is deducted from your pay.
  • Travel, overtime, holiday and sick leave.
  • A contract in a language you understand, or a translation confirmed by the employer.

Documents to take with you

Take originals and copies, and keep important documents in digital form too.

  • A valid passport or identity card.
  • A work permit or visa, if that country requires one.
  • Diplomas, certificates and proof of work experience, translated if needed.
  • Your driving licence and any other licences you need for the job.
  • A European Health Insurance Card or travel insurance for the first few days.
  • A copy of the contract or job offer and the employer’s contact details.

First steps after arriving

Sort out the basic registrations in the first few weeks – without them, everything gets harder later on.

Registering your address

In most countries you have to register your address within a set period.

Health insurance

Check whether you are insured through your employer or need to register yourself.

Bank account

Wages are usually paid into an account in the country where you work.

Tax number

Without a tax or social security number, your employer often cannot register you properly.

Warning signs of fake job offers

Scams involving jobs abroad target people who want to leave quickly. Stop and think if:

  • You are asked for money for the job, a visa, accommodation or training before you start work.
  • The pay is unrealistically high for a job that needs no experience or language skills.
  • There is no written contract and no company name, just a phone number or messages.
  • They ask you to hand over your passport or personal documents.
  • They rush you to set off straight away, without time to check anything.

More about safety on Retemax ›

Frequently asked questions

Can an employer or agency ask for money to give me a job?
Genuine employers and registered agencies don’t ask workers for money just for getting a job. If someone wants a payment up front, be very careful.
Do I need a work permit?
It depends on your citizenship and the country you are going to. Check the official websites of that country or ask its embassy before you leave.
Does the employer have to give me a written contract?
In most countries, yes – and even where it is not required, ask for one. A written contract protects you if there is a disagreement about pay or working conditions.
How do I find jobs abroad on Retemax?
Open the Job category and choose the country in the filters. You can also switch on alerts for new ads in that category.
Do job ads on Retemax cost anything?
No. Posting and browsing ads is free for both employers and job seekers.

This page is for general information only. The rules on work permits, visas, registration and taxes differ from country to country and change over time – check them with the official authorities of the country you are going to.