Which EU countries have the best employment conditions for refugees from Ukraine in 2025?

Currently, most European Union countries have simplified rules for the employment of Ukrainians, but not all cities offer good conditions. We will tell you which countries are the easiest to find a good job in and which, on the contrary, have difficulties with employment

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Employment for Ukrainians abroad is becoming an important part of adapting to new conditions. In most EU countries, between 40% and 60% of refugees who have received temporary protection are officially employed. At the same time, not all citizens are satisfied with the working conditions and wages offered by employers.

We will tell you which countries and cities in the European Union offer the best employment conditions for refugees from Ukraine.

Are you planning to look for work in Europe? A health insurance policy is a mandatory document for you.

Which EU countries have simplified conditions for the employment of Ukrainians?

Obtaining temporary protection in European Union countries has significantly simplified Ukrainians' access to labour markets. Thanks to a special EU Directive on temporary protection, Ukrainian citizens who have been forced to leave their homes can legally find employment without having to obtain traditional work permits, which are mandatory for other foreigners. This mechanism has enabled thousands of Ukrainians to quickly find work and integrate into European societies. Let's take a closer look at the conditions for employment in five countries.

Poland

Poland remains one of the most convenient countries for Ukrainians to find employment. Thanks to a special law, Ukrainians who have temporary protection status (UKR status) or are in the country on other legal grounds (visa, visa-free regime, residence card) have simplified access to the labour market. For their legal employment in Poland, the employer only needs to notify the local labour office (labour department) about hiring a Ukrainian citizen. After registering such a notification, the foreigner can immediately start working. From 2025, the procedure for submitting documents for a work permit will become fully electronic, which will significantly speed up the process. This avoids the lengthy and complicated procedure of obtaining a work permit.

Earlier, we talked about the financial requirements for Ukrainians entering Poland.

Germany

Germany also offers simplified access to the labour market for Ukrainians who have been granted temporary protection. According to the EU Directive, Ukrainian citizens who have a residence permit with the appropriate entry can work without additional permission. This entry is made in the document certifying the right of residence and allows the holder to engage in paid work in Germany. Thus, Ukrainians do not need to obtain a separate permit from the Federal Employment Agency. It is sufficient to obtain temporary protection status, which grants the right to legally reside and work.

Follow the link to find out which German states are accepting Ukrainians in August 2025.

The Netherlands

Working in the Netherlands for Ukrainians under temporary protection is also significantly simplified. They can work as employees without a work permit (tewerkstellingsvergunning, TWV). An employer who hires a Ukrainian refugee only needs to notify the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV). Ukrainians under temporary protection have the same employment rights as Netherlands citizens, including the right to minimum wage, holiday leave and safe working conditions.

Visit Ukraine's lawyers will help you find legal employment in Europe, guaranteeing the protection of your rights and support at every stage. Get expert advice on paperwork, employment contracts, and dispute resolution to make your career in the EU successful and secure.

France

In France, persons who have been granted temporary protection have the right to start working immediately. This status provides the opportunity for legal employment in France without additional permits. Ukrainians are assisted in finding work by the state employment service France Travail (formerly Pôle emploi) and other organisations. They help with support, CV writing and job searches. Free French language courses are also offered, which facilitates faster integration into the labour market.

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Norway

Norway, although not a member of the EU, has joined the temporary protection mechanism. Ukrainians can obtain a permit to work in Norway after they have been granted collective temporary protection status. It is important to note that you can only start looking for a job after this status has been officially granted, and not while your application is being processed. There is a high demand for blue-collar jobs in the country, and according to the latest data, the proportion of Ukrainians with temporary protection who are employed has increased significantly. Norway also has a requirement of 15 hours per week that must be devoted to work or vocational training.

Reminder! A mandatory condition for employment in Europe is valid medical insurance that covers expenses in case of illness. You can purchase the appropriate policy in just a few minutes on the Visit Ukraine portal.

Photo: Freepik