Immigration to Europe

Student immigration

To immigrate to Europe, you can study on a student visa, get a job, and stay after graduation. Preparation for this immigration method includes several stages. First of all, you need to choose where to study.

Main criteria:

• Cost. Many European countries have low prices for education. The average cost of undergraduate programs:
  • Spain — 169-3,955 USD/year
  • Austria — 847-1,638 USD/year
  • Italy — 1,130-3,390 USD/year
  • Poland — 565-6,780 USD/year
  • France — 3,130 USD/year

  Education at public universities in Germany and Norway is free^[3] — you only need to pay semester fees (282-339 USD — Germany^[4], 34-68 USD — Norway^[5]). Also, you do not need to pay tuition fees in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Finland if you choose a program in their local languages. We talk more about such opportunities in our article on affordable universities in Europe. However, do not forget that in addition to studying, students also need to spend money on accommodation and food, so not all countries with affordable education are as cheap as they may seem. For example, monthly living expenses in Norway average at 1,770 USD, in France — 1,536 USD, and in Finland — 1,592 USD.

• Rating. Six countries in Europe are in the top 10 for their quality of education: the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Switzerland, Sweden, and the Netherlands^[6]. According to QS Rankings, 30 universities from these countries are in the top 100 in the world^[7]. A high university ranking can mean extensive research opportunities or developed international connections, which is good both for the studying process itself and for a future career.
• Specialty. When choosing a university, you should also pay attention to its rating for the program you want to study. For example:
• Engineering specialties are well developed in the universities of Great Britain, Switzerland, Denmark, Germany, and Italy^[8]
• Medicine — in Sweden, Denmark, and Great Britain^[9]
• Natural sciences — in Switzerland and France^[10]
• Management — in the Netherlands, Italy, and France^[11]
  Note

  If you are considering studying in Europe as a way to permanently move in the future, be sure to account for the demand for your specialty in the country. Your specialty determines how easy it will be to find a job after graduation.

Each country has its own requirements for admission, but the main ones include:

• Invitation from an accredited educational institution (high school, college, or university)
• Confirmation of financial solvency
• Medical insurance
• International language exam
• Proof of tuition payment

Upon arrival, the student can apply for a temporary residence permit and stay in the country for the entire period of study.

After graduation, you need to apply for a special residence permit in order to find a job or start your own business. This will allow you to live in the country from 9 months to 1.5 years. It is issued by most European countries. There are, however, exceptions — such as Greece. There is no such option: you can only apply for a residence permit with a work permit, and this must be done before the student residence permit expires.

Some countries offer special programs for students, such as the Orientation Visa in the Netherlands. Therefore, it is important to check for employment opportunities on the websites of the Ministry of Education of your chosen country.

Read more about student immigration

Employment immigration

The main way to immigrate to Europe for work purposes is through the Blue Card. It is obtained by highly qualified specialists: those who have a diploma of higher education or 5 years of work experience in a relevant field. The blue card is issued by most EU countries, except for Denmark and Ireland.

In addition to the Blue Card, some members of the European Union provide employment programs: in Austria — Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte; in the Czech Republic — The Employee Card. Such opportunities should be clarified on the website of the embassy of your chosen country.

For countries that are not a part of the European Union, you also need to prove your qualifications and get an invitation from the organization where you intend to work. Once all conditions are met, you must apply for a work visa, enter the country, and apply for a residence permit.

The main criteria for choosing a country:

• Average salary. Salaries in Europe greatly vary: an IT architect in Germany receives 9,605 USD^[12], and in Italy — 7,345 USD^[13]. Therefore, before making a decision, it is important to look at the average salaries for your profession.
• Average cost of living. Depending on which European country you choose, the cost of living will vary from 800 to 2,260 USD/month^[14].
• Unemployment rate. The unemployment rate will help you estimate your chances of finding a job. If it is relatively high among the country’s citizens, then it is more difficult for a foreigner to find a job — the competition for vacancies is higher.

The best option is high wages, a low cost of living, and low unemployment.

Read more about the Blue Card

Humanitarian immigration

This method of immigration is a form of protection for a person who leaves his native country due to humanitarian catastrophes (war, famine), persecution, or human rights violations. To obtain a refugee status or a humanitarian visa, you need to provide evidence of harassment: photographs, threatening letters, court decisions, and other documents.

In 2020, 0.6% of the total EU population was made up of refugees^[18]. Most often, asylum is sought in Germany, Spain, France, and Greece^[19]. Refugees can work, study, and stay in the country for 3-5 years. After this time, it is necessary to apply for a residence permit.

Obtaining a residence permit in Europe

Upon arrival in the country or after the expiration of the entry visa, you must contact the local immigration office and apply for a temporary residence permit. Depending on the country and visa type, it is valid for 1-2 years for students and 1-4 years for employees. If the duration of study or the job contract exceeds this period, you need to apply for an extension of the residence permit.

A temporary residence permit, unlike student and work visas, allows you to:

• Buy property
• Cross the border an unlimited number of times
• Get a driver's license
• Use medical services
• Open a business

After 3-5 years of continuous stay in the country, an immigrant can apply for a permanent residence permit (PRP). Absence for 6 months out of a year, or 12 months for a good reason (pregnancy, work, internship, or serious illness), does not take away the right to receive a PRP. The main difference from a temporary residence permit is that it is automatically renewed every 5 years, and its duration is not limited.