Punitive measures if you work in EU countries without a work permit

2024-03-10 09:55:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Working in the European Union/European Economic Area without a work permit is illegal and this practice can have serious consequences for foreigners.

Underlining the risks associated with unauthorized employment, EU/EEA countries have said strict measures apply to both unauthorized foreign workers and employers.

These measures include deportation and a ban on re-entry into the EU, along with possible fines and imprisonment depending on the severity of the offence.

To give a better overview of the risks associated with working without a work permit in EU/EEA countries and to discourage people from going down this route, SchengenVisaInfo has contacted several countries and shared information about some of the risks below.

Norway told SchengenVisaInfo that working in the country without a work permit as a non-EU/EEA national leads to deportation and a ban on future entry from both Norway and Schengen/EU countries.

Also, the Norwegian authorities pointed out that those who break the rules are registered in the Schengen Information System, which is accessed by all member states to check information on certain individuals.

Switzerland has also warned of strict rules against illegal workers. The Swiss State Secretariat for Migration said that foreign nationals who stay and work in the country without the required permit are subject to removal and a prison sentence of up to one year.

Hungary, Finland and Sweden also confirmed that strict rules apply to people working without a permit. Hungary told SchengenVisaInfo that anyone found working without a permit is deported and banned from entering the country.

Finland also stressed that foreigners found working illegally in the country risk being fined and ordered to leave the country, as well as receiving an entry ban.

Similarly, Sweden said that anyone is banned from entering the country if found to be working without proper documentation./CNA