Which European Country Is Easiest to Get a Work Visa In?
6 min read · updated August 2026
The comparison
| Country | Realistic for unskilled? | Typical timeline | Language needed | Net pay, unskilled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Czech Republic | Yes | 10–16 weeks | None | €1,100–1,400 |
| Poland | Yes | 6–12 weeks | None | €900–1,200 |
| Lithuania | Yes | 8–14 weeks | None | €1,000–1,300 |
| Slovakia | Limited | 12–20 weeks | None | €1,000–1,300 |
| Netherlands | Rarely | 4–9 months | English often | €1,600–2,000 |
| Germany | Rarely | 6–12 months | A2 German usual | €1,800–2,300 |
Timelines assume complete documents and include visa-centre appointment waiting time.
Why Czechia comes out ahead
Poland is faster and has a larger intake, but the pay is lower and the sector has a worse record on agency practices. Lithuania is a genuine option with fewer applicants but a much smaller job market.
Czechia's advantage is not speed — it is that the employee card is a clean, well-documented legal status that puts you inside the EU single market with full residence rights, decent pay, and a direct onward route to higher-wage countries through posting. You enter where entry is possible, and you reach the high-wage countries afterwards.
The trap in the question
"Easiest" usually gets answered with whichever country processes fastest. That is the wrong metric. A fast permit into a badly-paid job with an agency that keeps your documents is not a good outcome.
The better question is which country gives you legal status you can build on. On that measure the ranking is different, and Czechia is at the top of it for shop-floor work.
Frequently asked questions
Is Poland easier than Czechia?
Faster on paper, yes. But pay is lower and the agency sector is less well regulated. For a first move we would still choose Czechia.
Can I go straight to Germany?
For skilled trades with recognised qualifications, sometimes. For warehouse and packing work, realistically no — which is why the posting route exists.
What about Portugal or Spain?
Both have routes for agricultural and hospitality work, but they are seasonal, pay less than Czechia after cost of living, and are further from the industrial demand.
Does Brexit mean the UK is an option?
Not for unskilled work. The UK skilled worker route has a salary threshold and a sponsor licence requirement that shop-floor roles do not meet.
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Still not sure if this applies to you?
Send us your nationality and trade. We will tell you which route is realistic in your case — including when the answer is that it is not.