Non-EU workers across the bloc are still more likely to end up in temporary or part-time roles than both local nationals and EU citizens working in another member state. The latest Europe news on employment trends shows that while conditions have improved in recent years, large gaps remain in job security, working hours and access to stable careers.
According to recent Eurostat data covering people aged 20 to 64, non-EU citizens had the highest share of temporary contracts and part-time employment across the EU over the past decade. By contrast, nationals consistently had the lowest rates, highlighting a structural divide in the European labour market that also matters for ireland news and wider irish news audiences following migration and jobs policy.
Europe News: Why Non-EU Citizens Face More Precarious Work
Labour market experts say the pattern is driven by a mix of structural and personal factors. Many migrants arriving from outside the EU face barriers before they can access long-term employment.
- Language challenges that limit job opportunities
- Qualifications not being fully recognised
- Smaller professional networks in the host country
- Discrimination during hiring
- Visa or immigration restrictions affecting job options
These barriers often push non-EU citizens into flexible but less secure forms of work, including seasonal contracts, agency work and part-time roles. In some cases, workers may also prefer shorter contracts if they plan to return home or need more flexibility.
Read more: latest Ireland breaking news and jobs updates | Irish business and employment news analysis
Temporary Contracts Remain Highest in Several EU States
Although the share of non-EU citizens in temporary work fell to its lowest point in 2025, they still recorded the highest rates overall. Between 2015 and 2025, the biggest shares of temporary contracts among non-EU employees were seen in:
- Cyprus
- The Netherlands
- Poland
Each of these countries posted figures above 40%, underlining how uneven labour market integration remains across Europe. Women also faced a higher likelihood of temporary contracts in every citizenship group, with especially large gender gaps in Italy, Spain and Portugal.
Experts point to care responsibilities and sectoral concentration as key reasons. Women are more likely to work in health, education, hospitality and social care, where temporary hiring is more common.
Part-Time Employment Gap Also Stands Out
In 2025, around 22% of non-EU citizens were in part-time jobs, compared with roughly 20% of EU citizens living in another member state and 17% of nationals. The widest gap was recorded in the Netherlands, followed by Finland and France.
Once again, women had much higher rates of part-time work than men across all categories. This trend is central to ongoing Europe news coverage because it reflects not just migration policy, but also childcare access, labour protections and equal opportunity rules.
Explore more: European migration and workforce trends explained | best Irish current affairs coverage on cost of living and jobs
Self-Employment Still Favors Nationals
Self-employment followed a different pattern. In 2025, it was highest among nationals at 13.5%, ahead of EU movers at 10.9% and non-EU citizens at 10.1%.
This difference is often linked to familiarity with tax, legal and regulatory systems, along with better access to finance, local contacts and business information. For non-EU citizens, administrative hurdles can make starting a business more difficult. Greece and Italy reported particularly high self-employment shares among nationals, while Croatia and Portugal stood out for EU citizens living abroad.
What This Means for Ireland and Europe
For readers tracking ireland news, the figures offer a broader warning about labour market inequality in Europe. Migrant workers remain essential to many sectors, yet stable employment is still less accessible to those from outside the EU. Better recognition of qualifications, language support and fairer hiring practices could narrow the gap.
The big takeaway from this Europe news story is clear: progress has been made, but non-EU workers are still more exposed to insecure work than other groups. That remains a major issue for policymakers, employers and anyone following irish news and European labour trends.
FAQs
Why are non-EU citizens more likely to have temporary jobs in the EU?
Common reasons include language barriers, limited recognition of qualifications, smaller professional networks, discrimination and immigration-related restrictions.
Which countries showed the highest temporary work rates for non-EU citizens?
Cyprus, the Netherlands and Poland recorded the highest shares over the 2015 to 2025 period.
Are women more affected by temporary and part-time work?
Yes. Across all citizenship groups, women were more likely than men to be in temporary or part-time jobs.
How does self-employment compare?
Nationals were the most likely to be self-employed, while non-EU citizens had the lowest share among the three groups measured.
