Australian looking to move to EU
Posted by Horidorifto_Draws@reddit | expats | View on Reddit | 17 comments
Hi everyone, pretty much like the title says I have been considering for a few years now about making a permanent move to the European Union and had a few questions.
Originally I had been planning on moving to Hamburg but the requirements to immigrate to Germany seem a bit difficult for me to reach (mostly not having enough years of experience in a single job field). Currently I’m planning on Luxembourg City instead as, from what I can tell, I should be fine to immigrate as long as I can find employment and be able to support myself. Is this correct or am I mistaken?
I mostly have worked as a construction labourer and factory worker and have a few other construction qualifications/tickets and about six months experience doing landscaping. Are there many employers looking for people with this kind of work experience?
I’ve been learning to speak and read German with online lessons and the help of my online gaming friend who is German. I’m around the point where I can listen to and read sentences in German and get the gist of it, but that’s obviously nowhere near mastering the language. From what I’ve been able to tell though French is the more common language of the two, especially in the Benelux region, so I’d be willing to start learning that instead if it would be more beneficial. Should I switch to French or keep learning German?
More than happy to give clarification or answer any questions you guys might have!
Mountain-Fail6076@reddit
Hi OP, did you manage to move to EU?
Global-Economy8552@reddit
My company is Australian-owned and based in Malta. We often look for English (AU) native speakers for different roles - and can provide sponsorship in Malta or else allow fully remote work from Europe with a B2B contract (in this last case you have to secure your VISA some other way). We're now looking for a VIP Account Manager !
Dismal-Annual9338@reddit
is your company still looking? I'm a dual citizen Argentinean-Australian working as an Account Manager in Aus.
EmpathyHawk1@reddit
I will play a reverse card here. Im considering moving to Melbourne, AU.
Why you decided to move to Europe? What it is there in Australia that doesn't fit or suit your lifestyle?
Horidorifto_Draws@reddit (OP)
The heat is a big part of it, I was even born out in the desert but have never gotten used to the Queensland sun. I’ve been in Melbourne during winter which was quite nice, I think coming from Europe you’d enjoy Victoria more than other states here.
Lifestyle-wise though I’m also massively into history and architecture as well as art, so having EU citizenship would let me visit 27 different countries each with their own cultures and history to explore. Apart from that I’m also really into synthwave music which is a basically nonexistent scene here in Australia, but quite popular in Europe where most of my favourite synth musicians are from
EmpathyHawk1@reddit
wow I love your reasons. very original especially the synthwave
I was expecting something ''job market sucks'' etc :D
yesurthrowawaybestEx@reddit
Did you move to Melb?? I am looking at working holidays to Europe
ChellyTheKid@reddit
You're basically right. However, that's easier said than done.
You will need to get a work visa, but to apply for that you first newd to have employment with a company that has a permit for employing foreign workers. Your experience and qualifications do not come under the highly skilled category. Your qualifications are also unlikely to be recognised, this would need to be checked in more detail. On top of this, you will be competing with locals and EU citizens, finding a company that will pick you over somebody that they don't need to go through all the red tape for is going to be an uphill battle.
German and French would be ideal. What ever you are learning make sure that you are learning things that are actually relevant. Being able to tell me what you did on the weekend is all well and good, but when I tell you to go move the drywall, I don't want to give you a language lesson too.
Honestly, if I were in your shoes I would be looking at ways to upskill or looking at alternatives. How old are you? I would start out with a working holiday, Germany and Luxembourg both have a reciprocal working holiday visa with Australia. You can use this as an easy way to get over there, to see if you actually want to live there, and importantly build up a network.
Horidorifto_Draws@reddit (OP)
Thanks for pointing that out, I didn’t know I’d have to go through a company like that
I’d figured that was the case, after learning some basic sentences (and swear words) I started learning the translations for most of the tools and materials I’d worked with
I’ve thought about this before but I really don’t know what else I’d be able to do. I had gotten a diploma of visual arts after leaving highschool but that never panned out into an art career which is my real passion. I’d only gotten into construction afterwards as a way to get by while still working with my hands and making things.
I am already pretty set on moving to a colder climate though. I spend all summer waiting for autumn and winter, then spend all of winter dreading spring and summer.
ChellyTheKid@reddit
28 is a perfect age for a working holiday in Europe. I highly encourage you to do it while you can. If it doesn't work out, at least you got a fantastic life experience. The other recommendation from somebody about the training is also something you should check out.
Best of luck to you
Primary-Bluejay-1594@reddit
If you can get your German up to a B2 level (quite doable through a year of intensive language study in Germany, which you can easily get a residence permit for -- Australians are part of the favored category of nationals who are allowed to come to Germany as tourists and apply directly for a residence card, no visa needed to enter the country) then you could apply for an Ausbildung (a 2-3 year paid vocational training course). Pretty much all skilled practical professions in Germany involve an Ausbildung -- even our local grocery stores offer Ausbildungs for cashiers, butchers, etc.
All the information is here:
https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/study-training/training-in-germany
Horidorifto_Draws@reddit (OP)
Thank you that’s great information
bebok77@reddit
Have you checked the salary and income range you can have ?
While Europe have in overall minimum wage, you are considering to move for some unqualified/factory job, jobs which are in the minimum wage range (you did not mention some specific certification or experience, someone certified to use factory machine or robot have better opportunities).
cjgregg@reddit
“Europe” doesn’t have a minimum wage, some countries have set a national minimum wage, some haven’t.
bebok77@reddit
I said in overall and I may have précise, set locally.
cjgregg@reddit
The EU is 27 different countries, each have their own immigration legislation. Being the largest economy in the union, Germanu is the easiest to find a job as a labourer, possibly even your only chance. Most other EU countries could only hire you if there are no equally qualified EU citizens/permanent residents applying for the same job. In your field there always are, mostly from a neighbouring country. Europe is experiencing economic downturn, so many countries also have practically no construction going on.
rachaeltalcott@reddit
I live in France and there is a lot on the news right now about increasing the hiring of foreign workers to do construction. Apparently there were not enough people here to build for the Olympics. But they are also increasing the language requirement, I think to A2. This new immigration bill isn't completely through, so it could be modified before it is finalized.