Help to get employed
Find work in the EU/EEA or Switzerland
Get help from Nav through the EURES cooperation network to apply for jobs in the EU/EEA and Switzerland.
There is also information on find work in the EU/EEA or Switzerland for employers.
How to apply for a job
Working in the EU/EEA or Switzerland opens up new opportunities for professional and personal development. For citizens in an EEA country, like Norway, the EEA Agreement and its right to freedom of movement makes it easier to live, work and study in other European countries.
The European job market could potentially increase your chances of finding a job that suits your expertise, education and interests. Working in another European country provides valuable international experiences, something a lot of employers appreciate, and it also offers an opportunity to develop new language skills and learn to cooperate across cultures and employment systems.
The EEA cooperation also offers recognition of educations and qualifications, which could mean you will be able to practice your profession across national borders. Through the EEA Agreement, you have the same rights in the labour market as local citizens in other EEA countries do.
If you register your CV at nav.no, you can choose to share it to the EURES portal as well. If you do, it will become visible to employers all over Europe.
What to keep in mind when you prepare your CV and application
Standards for CVs and applications vary from country to country. Select your country in the overview of living and working conditions in Europe on the EURES portal to see what it is recommended you include
Write your CV in the country's language, or in English. At the same time, make sure that your CV gives an accurate account of your language skills.
Translate and explain your skills and qualifications in such a way that the foreign employer understands them.
If you need help translating titles and names of schools, universities and diplomas, it may be a good idea to turn to educational institutions for help. Some educational institutions also issue diplomas in English.
Avoid abbreviations! Remember that your CV will be read by foreign employers.
Make yourself as accessible as possible. Provide your e-mail address and phone numbers. Be sure to add the country code for Norway (+47) or the country you live in.
Read the job advertisement carefully and adjust your CV and application to the job you are applying for.
Attach copies of diplomas and relevant certificates if this is required. These documents must be translated into the language of the country in question.
Find out if it is common to attach a photo to your CV or application.
Remember to contact your references before applying. Prepare them for the fact that they may receive enquiries in languages other than Norwegian.
See more job seeker tips
Many of our job seeker tips apply regardless of whether you are applying for a job in Norway or in another country. Below are some links to good advice when you are applying for a job (in norwegian):
The EURES portal is a useful tool if you want to find a job in the EU/EEA or Switzerland.
On the EURES portal, you can
- find job listings from all across Europe.
- create a Europass job seeker profile and make it accessible for matching with potential employers.
- find information about living and working conditions in different countries.
- sign up for in person and digital job fairsevents.
Keep in mind before travelling
If you want to travel to an EU/EEA country to apply for work there, it is important that you prepare well.
You are allowed to stay in another EU/EEA country for up to 6 months without having to apply for a residence permit.
Before you travel, you should consider the following:
- What kind of job do I want?
- Which country would I like to work in?
- How good are my chances of finding a job?
- Am I qualified?
- Are my language skills good enough?
You should also consider any other factors that could impact your stay, such as culture, climate, taxation and your financial circumstances.
You can find a lot of useful hints and tips for job seekers on the EURES portal.
When you work in an EEA country or Switzerland, the main rule is that you are covered by national insurance in your country of employment.
You should familiarise yourself with the rules for membership in Norwegian National Insurance if you are
You may be entitled to keep unemployment benefits from Norway for up to 3 months if you apply for work in another EEA country.
Need help?
Nav can help you find and apply to jobs in the EU/EEA and Switzerland through the EURES cooperation network.
EURES offers services to job seekers through a cooperation between member organisations in 31 countries. These services are free.
Among other things, we can
- provide career advice and guidance based on your profile
- match your profile with relevant employers and vacancies
- help you write an application and CV
- provide information about living and working conditions in different countries, including practical and administrative aspects of working in another EU/EEA country
- help you apply for financial support to help cover language training, travel and accommodation costs through the EURES Targeted Mobility Scheme
Brief information about the EURES cooperation network
European Employment Services (EURES) was established on initiative from the European Commission in 1993 to support free movement of labour in the EU/EEA and Switzerland.
The main goal of EURES is to make it easier for employers to recruit the labour they need and easier for workers to find a new job in the EU/EEA and Switzerland.
EURES offers its services through the EURES portal and a network of member organisations, who are in daily contact with job seekers and employers all across Europe.
Contact us
If you have questions or need advice, you can send an e-mail to eures@nav.no.
We want your feedback!
Have you used Nav's EURES services to apply for a job in another EU/EEA country or Switzerland? We would like to hear what you think!
Respond to the European Commission's user survey on EURES services
Updated 10/27/2025