Pitfalls that American EFL Teachers Will Face in Western Europe

Western Europe is one of the top locations that newly qualified American EFL teachers wish to move to in order to teach. They may want to combine their teaching job with travel to countries within Western Europe and beyond.

However, American EFL teachers who hope to apply for teaching positions in Western Europe may be surprised to learn of some of the obstacles to finding employment, particularly in EU countries.

Non-EU citizens can still theoretically apply to work in the EU. After they have accepted a job offer, it is then the employer's responsibility to apply for the necessary work permit and residence visa that will allow American EFL teachers to reside and work legally in Western Europe. But in reality though, a lot of European employers would rather avoid the expense of hiring American EFL teachers when they can hire fellow EU citizens from the UK or Ireland without having to worry about applying for work permits and residence visas for them.

But, these problems can be avoided if you have a legitimate claim to EU citizenship. If you have at least one parent or grandparent who is from an EU country, you can claim EU citizenship through descent. If you choose this route, you will need to contact the consulate or embassy of the country in question and see if you are eligible for EU citizenship and what you will need to do. For example, if you have a parent or grandparent who is from Ireland, you will be automatically eligible for EU citizenship.

There is also another route. If you are married to an EU citizen (not necessarily from the country you wish to move to) then you can claim EU citizenship and residence rights through your marriage. As long as your spouse is from one of the 27 EU member states, you can apply for EU citizenship and a right to work in Western Europe. Once you have been granted EU citizenship, you will have equal rights to other EU citizens who are also applying to work as EFL teachers in Western Europe.