Publication date: 02 December 2025
This joint EMN-OECD study provides a comprehensive overview of labour migration laws, policies, initiatives, and practices targeting third-country nationals in EMN Member Countries and Serbia between January 2021 and June 2024. It examines how labour migration is used to address current and future workforce shortages, covering key countries of origin and crucial labour sectors. The study highlights the challenges faced and the practices considered by countries with regard to labour migration.
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Main theme: Economic migration
Publication Type: Thematic Studies
Keywords: labour migration, labour shortages, foreign workers, talent attraction, talent partnership
Publication date: 20 March 2025
This ad hoc query examines the initiatives in place across EMN Member and Observer Countries to encourage employers to participate in the integration of their employees.
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Main theme: Integration
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: foreign workers, language course, civic integration course
Publication date: 27 February 2025
This joint European Migration Network (EMN) – OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) Inform provides an overview of innovative initiatives to attract foreign talent between January 2021 and March 2024 by EMN Member Countries and selected non-EU OECD member countries. It also analyses whether and how EMN Member Countries monitor the effectiveness of these initiatives and identify related challenges and good practices.
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Main theme: Economic migration
Publication Type: Informs
Keywords: talent mobility, foreign workers, skill development, talent partnership, talent attraction
Publication date: 06 October 2024
This ad hoc query examines whether the EMN Member Countries implement a labour market test to regulate the employment of third-country nationals. Where a labour market test is implemented, details are provided on the procedure, the exemptions, the criteria for a negative decision, and the possible challenges.
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Main theme: Economic migration
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: migrant worker, labour market access, labour market test, skills mobility, foreign workers
Publication date: 04 August 2024
This ad hoc query examines the approach taken by EMN Member and Observer countries in relation to applications for family reunification from third-country national workers, in particular with regards to the level of resources and the quality of accommodation required by those applying for family reunification, as well as the possible obligation to provide for medical insurance in the context of such applications.
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Main theme: Family reunification
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: application for family reunification, foreign workers, income threshold, accommodation, medical insurance
Publication date: 20 June 2024
In its annual report 2023, Fairwork Belgium reports on requests for assistance received in 2023 and provides further details on the profiles of the people concerned and the phenomena and abuses of which they are victims. Specific attention is paid to inter alia the misuse of the single permit system, the exploitation of posted workers, the false self-employment of applicants for international protection, and the au-pair employment as domestic worker.
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Main theme: Vulnerable groups
Publication Type: Report
Keywords: foreign workers, undocumented worker, exploitation, domestic worker, au-pair
Publication date: 30 March 2011
To what extent the Voluntary Return Programmes for foreign workers can be helpful in order to decrease unemployment pressures in a context of economic crisis? In the background of lessons provided by experience in other countries, this paper analyzes the Spanish policy in that field.
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Main theme: Return & Readmission
Publication Type: Study
Keywords: foreign workers, Spain, voluntary return
Publication date:
On 18 November, the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament reached an agreement on the creation of a platform designed to facilitate the recruitment of non-European workers. The “EU Talent Pool” will connect employers established in the EU with non-EU jobseekers in sectors where Member States face labour shortages. Participation in the Talent Pool will be voluntary for Member States, and the platform will remain free of charge for both jobseekers and employers.
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Main theme: Economic migration
Keywords: EU Talent Pool, foreign workers, labour shortages, competitiveness
Publication date:
The EMN Cyprus National Conference aims to foster dialogue among policymakers, experts, employers, trade unions, and civil society to discuss how sustainable and effective migration policies can support labour market resilience. The event will serve as a platform to exchange experiences, showcase good practices, and develop practical guidance for national and EU-level policymakers.
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Main theme: Economic migration
Keywords: labour migration, economic growth, labour market need, skills shortage, foreign workers
Publication date:
The Walloon administration announces that new regulations come into force on 1 September 2024 regarding salaried economic migration for foreign workers in Wallonia. The system remains largely unchanged in its principles, still falling within the broader framework of the Single Permit for work and residence authorization for foreign workers. However, a new decree of the Walloon Government organizes new features and modifications.
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Main theme: Economic migration
Keywords: foreign workers, employer, single permit, EU blue card
Publication date:
The Department of Work and Social Economy is organizing an information session to explain the changes in regulations regarding the employment of foreign workers in Flanders. Such changes will enter into force on 1 March 2024.
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Main theme: Economic migration
Keywords: foreign workers, employment
Publication date:
Today, the Parliament of the Brussels Capital Region adopted in plenary session an ordinance relating to economic migration. The objective is to modernize, make coherent and simplify the current texts, to better respond to labour shortages identified in the job market.