EU OKs New Platform for Non-EU Jobseekers
Nov 25, 2025
Category: EU Foreign Workers News
European Union lawmakers reached a political deal in Brussels to create an EU-wide digital platform that will match non-EU jobseekers across member states.
This aims to help employers fill vacant roles free of charge.
Addressing labor shortages
The European Union has taken a major step toward addressing worker shortages with a new agreement to launch the EU Talent Pool, a digital platform that matches non-EU jobseekers with employers in EU countries.
Negotiators from the European Parliament’s Civil Liberties Committee and the Council reached the deal on November 18.
The platform is designed to help recruit workers from outside the EU for roles in sectors experiencing labor shortages, including jobs listed under EU-wide shortage occupations.
Member states can choose whether to participate, and both jobseekers and employers will be able to use the platform free of charge.
According to the European Parliament, the agreement is part of a broader effort to improve legal and safe migration routes while also helping companies fill essential positions.
It will operate alongside other EU-wide digital tools such as the Entry-Exit System (EES) and the European Travel and Information System (ETIAS), both aimed at enhancing mobility, security, and border efficiency.
Strict standards for employers
Employers, temporary work agencies, and labor market intermediaries using the platform must be lawfully established in a participating EU country and comply with EU and national laws.
These include rules on fair recruitment, adequate working conditions, non-discrimination, and protection against human trafficking. The agreement allows for the suspension or removal of employers who breach these laws.
Vacancies listed on the platform must include key information such as the name and contact details of the employer, a job description, and the job location.
Other optional information like initial salary or details about the employer’s business operations may also be included.
Flexible platform for jobseekers
Non-EU jobseekers will be able to register on the platform and create a profile showing their qualifications, skills, and preferred EU country of employment. Applicants must be at least the age of majority under the law of the country where they intend to work.
Profiles may include information on skills developed through EU Talent Partnerships or bilateral agreements. Jobseekers can also note their availability to start and the sectors they are targeting.
Immigration still decided nationally
Being matched with a job through the EU Talent Pool does not guarantee a work or residence permit. Immigration procedures remain under the control of individual EU member states.
Participating countries can choose to accelerate immigration processes for jobseekers selected through the platform, but this is optional. The Council of the EU confirmed that selected candidates must still apply through national procedures to obtain visas and work permits. The platform will also provide information on these procedures, including what conditions must be met.
Demographic, economic shifts
The EU Talent Pool aims to help address workforce shortages in member states facing demographic challenges. The Council emphasized that the goal is to make the EU labor market more competitive and to fill gaps in sectors with persistent demand.
The platform will initially focus on shortage occupations defined at the EU level, with room for national and regional adjustments. These shortage lists will help guide which jobs are prioritized for international recruitment.
Safeguards to prevent abuse
Both institutions have stressed the importance of safeguarding against fraud, abuse, and labor exploitation.
According to the Council’s press release, employers will be screened against a registry of companies that have been suspended, excluded, or denied access to the platform.
This registry system is intended to improve transparency and ensure that only legitimate employers are allowed to post vacancies. The agreement sets up a strong compliance framework to uphold labor protections.
Next steps before launch
Before becoming law, the agreement must be formally adopted by the European Parliament and the Council.
Once approved, the European Commission will handle technical preparations and public awareness campaigns. These campaigns will include outreach through EU delegations in non-EU countries.
There is no confirmed date for the platform’s launch, but preparatory steps will begin once the legislative process is completed.
A new pathway into the EU
The EU Talent Pool marks a strategic shift in how Europe plans to fill labor gaps while offering safer, legal routes for non-EU workers. With its focus on transparency, fairness, and voluntary participation, the platform aims to balance recruitment needs with protections for jobseekers.