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Working abroad

If you're moving abroad for work, there are certain things you need to consider, including whether you need a work permit and what rights you have under your destination country's employment law.

Moving abroad for work

Your right to work abroad  depends on the country you want to work in and where you are from.

Check if you and your family need work permits, resident permits or visas for the country. In some countries you may be required to register with the local British embassy or consulate once you have moved there.

Let your tax office know if you are moving abroad, and if you are claiming benefits, talk to your Jobs and Benefits office. Even if you are going abroad as an employee for a UK-based firm, you may not have the same employment rights as if you were working in the UK.

Requirements for working hours, annual holidays and public holidays can vary.

Ask your employer if they will pay you any allowances and if are there any schemes to help if you wish to return to the UK or any support schemes for a partner or children travelling with you.

Other things to consider are:

  • is the salary enough, taking into account the cost of living?
  • what are the chances of promotion and salary increases?
  • what currency will you be paid in?
  • are there any arrangements for temporary accommodation when you first move?
  • if you have a property to sell in the UK, will your employer give you time off to return to the UK to sign documents and finalise a move abroad?
  • if your job ends and you wish to stay in the country you have been working in, what permits would you and your family require and what are the chances of finding a new job there?

Qualifications

Not all qualifications are recognised in other countries and some professions have employment restrictions. You will be able to check your qualifications against occupation information sheets produced by other countries, which will allow you to see if your UK qualification is acceptable.

Language skills and fluency levels may also be an issue when seeking work.

  • Qualifications: what the different levels mean
  • UK NARIC

More information

Information is available from the European Commission about moving to a  European Union country, getting your qualifications recognised, successful job-seeking, paying taxes and your rights.

Check the European Union website for details.

  • Vacancies in Europe (European Commission EURES website)
  • Your Europe, your opportunity (European Union website)

More useful links

  • Living in Europe
  • UK NARIC

Chat with a careers adviser

Careers webchat is available from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm.  Outside of these hours, or if all advisers are busy, you can ask questions online.  Before using the webchat service, read the Careers Service’s privacy notice

 Chat with a careers adviser in Northern Ireland

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Looking for work

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If you have a comment or query about benefits, you will need to contact the government department or agency which handles that benefit.  Contacts for common benefits are listed below.

Carer's Allowance

Call 0800 587 0912
Email 
dcs.incomingpostteamdhc2@nissa.gsi.gov.uk

Discretionary support / Short-term benefit advance

Call 0800 587 2750 
Email 
customerservice.unit@communities-ni.gov.uk

Disability Living Allowance

Call 0800 587 0912 
Email dcs.incomingpostteamdhc2@nissa.gsi.gov.uk

Employment and Support Allowance

Call 0800 587 1377

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Contact your local Jobs & Benefits office

Personal Independence Payment

Call 0800 587 0932

If your query is about another benefit, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

Comments or queries about the Blue Badge scheme can be emailed to bluebadges@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk or you can also call 0300 200 7818.

For queries or advice about careers, contact the Careers Service.

For queries or advice about Child Maintenance, contact the Child Maintenance Service.

For queries or advice about claiming compensation due to a road problem, contact DFI Roads claim unit.

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If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk and for queries about your certificate, email covidcertni@hscni.net.

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Application and payment queries can be emailed to ema_ni@slc.co.uk

For queries or advice about employment rights, contact the Labour Relations Agency.

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For queries about:

  • Car tax, vehicle registration and SORN
    contact the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Swansea
     
  • Driver licensing and tests, MOT and vehicle testing
    contact the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA), Northern Ireland

If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk.

 

For queries or advice about passports, contact HM Passport Office.

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If you wish to report a problem with a road or street you can do so online in this section.

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