European countries at a glance: population, capital, EU / EEA

Thinking about working in another European country? For each of 32 countries – all 27 EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom – you will find the key labour market figures, where the jobs are, how to apply, pay and working conditions, student jobs and what to do in your first weeks. General advice on job search, your CV and your rights: How to find a job abroad – 10 practical guides »

Found: 32
CountryPopulationCapitalEU / EEA
Austria9.2 million (2026)ViennaEU member since 1995
Belgium12.0 million (2026)BrusselsEU member since 1958
Bulgaria6.4 million (2026)SofiaEU member since 2007
Croatia3.9 million (2026)ZagrebEU member since 2013
Cyprus996,571 (2026)NicosiaEU member since 2004
Czech Republic10.9 million (2026)PragueEU member since 2004
Denmark6.0 million (2026)CopenhagenEU member since 1973
Estonia1.4 million (2026)TallinnEU member since 2004
Finland5.7 million (2026)HelsinkiEU member since 1995
France69.1 million (2026)ParisEU member since 1958
Germany83.5 million (2026)BerlinEU member since 1958
Greece10.4 million (2026)AthensEU member since 1981
Hungary9.5 million (2026)BudapestEU member since 2004
Iceland394,324 (2026)ReykjavíkEEA member (not in the EU)
Ireland5.5 million (2026)DublinEU member since 1973
Italy58.9 million (2026)RomeEU member since 1958 (founding member)
Latvia1.8 million (2026)RigaEU member since 2004
Liechtenstein41,227 (2026)VaduzEEA member (not in the EU)
Lithuania2.9 million (2026)VilniusEU member since 2004
Luxembourg690,959 (2026)LuxembourgEU member since 1958
Malta588,254 (2026)VallettaEU member since 2004
Netherlands18.1 million (2026)AmsterdamEU member since 1958
Norway5.6 million (2026)OsloEEA member (not in the EU)
Poland36.3 million (2026)WarsawEU member since 2004
Portugal11.4 million (2026)LisbonEU member since 1986
Romania19.0 million (2026)BucharestEU member since 2007
Slovakia5.4 million (2026)BratislavaEU member since 2004
Slovenia2.1 million (2026)LjubljanaEU member since 2004
Spain49.6 million (2026)MadridEU member since 1986
Sweden10.6 million (2026)StockholmEU member since 1995
Switzerland9.1 million (2026)Bernnot in the EU or EEA – free movement agreement with the EU
United Kingdom69.6 million (2026)Londonleft the EU in 2020
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Common questions about job applications and interviews

Key figures: Eurostat (population on 1 January 2026; unemployment and employment rates 2025; minimum wages July 2026); for the United Kingdom – Office for National Statistics; for Liechtenstein – national statistics. Country information: EURES – Living and working conditions, public employment services and the official government websites listed under each country. Rules, thresholds and amounts can change – check the official sources before you move. Updated: October 2026.

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