International work experience in Europe: Which countries lead and why?

"The opportunity to work abroad strongly shapes career paths, with employees developing skills they may not have honed at home. Thanks to Europe's status as a single market, the number of people who have worked abroad is relatively high - but where in Europe do workers have the most international experience? Hiring platform Indeed defines 'internationally mobile workers' as those who have at least one work experience in a country other than their current country of residence."

"As of late 2025, 16.7% of job seekers in the single market had international experience on their résumé, according to employment platform Indeed. By comparison, only about 5.1% of workers in the United States were internationally mobile. "The high share of internationally mobile workers in Europe reflects both the policies that support mobility and the value placed on cross-border professional experience," said Sneha Puri, immigration policy analyst at Indeed."

International work experience influences career development and skill acquisition. Hiring platform Indeed defines internationally mobile workers as those with at least one job in a country different from their current residence. As of late 2025, 16.7% of job seekers within the European single market reported such experience, compared with about 5.1% of U.S. workers. Shares vary widely across countries: Switzerland (51%) and Ireland (42%) have the highest proportions; Germany registers 25%; Spain and the UK exceed one in five. The Netherlands and France are above the single market average. Smaller labour-force countries can show disproportionately large shares.

Read at euronews