Best European Countries for Study & Work – Guide For Pakistani Students

What are the best countries for studies or work in Europe? This is a question that most people in Pakistan are searching for on the internet. Why? It may be due to many reasons. You may want to explore the world and have more exposure, or you may want to leave the country for better prospects. No matter what your needs are, this blog will be helpful to you. You can decide which country is best for you if you want to study or work in European countries.

So if you want to improve your life, keep reading this article. Who knows, it may be a turning point in your life. So what are you waiting for? Scroll down and read the entire thing.

Best European Countries for Studies 2023

Before we talk about which country is the best for you, let’s talk about whether you can study and work simultaneously. There are a lot of legalities that come the way. Of course, students can do part-time work. Specific laws depend on the country you are studying. Some universities have restrictions on your working hours. Students cannot work more than a certain amount of hours per week. This is done to ensure two things.

1. To make sure there is a work-life balance for the students
2. Ensuring the students will not neglect their studies to earn more money.

Regardless, the following are some countries that offer work and study opportunities for you.

[su_table]

COUNTRY	WORKING HOURS
Germany	20 hours per week for the EU 120 full days or 240 half days a year for Non-EU
Spain	30 hours per week
Sweden	Not specific
Switzerland	15 hours per week
France	18.5 hours per week
Italy	20 hours per week
Portugal	20 hours per week
Norway	20 hours per week
Netherlands	16 hours per week or; Work full-time from June to August
Ireland	20 hours a week during term time or; 40 hours a week in the holidays.

[/su_table]

Now, let’s discuss them in detail.

Germany

If you want to work in Germany while continuing your studies, you must get permission from Federal Employment Agency and the foreigner’s office. After that, you can only work 240 days, and the work day will be half.

Life is excellent in Germany. So if you want to experience it to the fullest, you can work half days while focusing on your studies.

Spain

If you want to work in pain while studying, things are more flexible than in Germany. You must apply to the local authorities for permission to work up to 20 hours weekly. But you will require a student visa to do so. You can stay till that expires. The cost of living will vary depending on the city, but it’s an excellent place to get your investment back on average.

Sweden

The working hours in Sweden are not specific. So if you want to enjoy the lifestyle in this country, it is all up to you. The more you work, the more accessible your life will be. But always keep in mind that you are in Sweden to study. So never compromise on that.

Switzerland

Because many individuals understand English, you should have no trouble finding work. There are quotas for foreign employees in Switzerland, but you don’t need to apply for a second work visa if you’re on a student visa. Nevertheless, you may only utilize it after staying in the nation for six months and working only 15 hours weekly. That may not be the most profitable choice.

Italy

Italy might be expensive, but you can make it reasonable if you manage your options well. Making a little cash on the side, on the other hand, is never a bad idea. If you have a student visa, you can only work 4 hours per day and a maximum of 20 hours per week.

France

You can now only work part-time in this country, like many others on this list. If you end up undertaking an internship, you must have a contract signed by you, your company in France, and your home school or institution. If you work for your institution, the contracts may change differently, so don’t be afraid to contact the individuals in the institutions you’d like to work for.

Portugal

You will require a student visa and a residence permit for your study. You can work in Portugal if you are a non-EU student with a Portuguese student visa and a residency permit. You only need to continue working part-time, up to 20 hours each week, with full-time options during semester breaks and vacations.

Norway

You’ll need your student registration before you can start looking for jobs. Nonetheless, you can work up to 20 hours per week while studying and full-time during semesters. According to expatriates in Norway, the living expenses are pretty high. Still, earnings tend to meet up at a respectable pace so that you can manage it on ordinary hourly work.

Ireland

The work requirement is given in the table above. So if you are a student, you can work in Ireland. Also, since most of the students in Pakistan went through English-medium schools, language will not be a barrier. But remember that the Irish accent is quite thick, so be ready for something your IELTS didn’t prepare you for.

Netherlands

If you want to work while studying in the Netherlands, you must tick a few boxes. As a non-EU, you must request a personalised work permit from your work. Then, for the rest of the year, you’ll be limited to working 16 hours per week or full-time during June, July, and August. If you’re undertaking an internship, you are not required to apply for additional permissions! If the internship is related to your education, the student visa suffices. Spend your leisure time touring Holland and working extra hours throughout the summer.

Conclusion

So these were the countries in Europe where you could work while studying. There are certain flexibilities in some of these countries where you can convert your student visa to a proper work permit. But you have to research that once you are there. Keep in mind that you are there to study. And above anything else, you are representing Pakistan. Anything you do will reflect upon this country. If you indulge in any illegal activity, it will block the path for the students who actually want to study. So, be responsible and do not take the country’s name to ruins.