The European Union has stated that migrant workers are essential in filling job shortages and supporting economic growth across Europe. This comes after the European Commission released new employment data showing how migrants are helping Europe move closer to its 2030 employment goals. According to the Commission’s Employment and Social Developments in Europe 2025 report, migrant labour has become a major force driving job creation in the region.
The EU is aiming for a 78% employment rate among adults aged 20 to 64, and this target is now more achievable partly because of migrant workers. The report shows that more than 51 million people from vulnerable groups, including about 7 million migrants, could strengthen Europe’s workforce. However, many migrants still face challenges that prevent them from getting stable jobs, such as language difficulties, discrimination, and problems with recognizing foreign qualifications.
Many migrants who hold higher education degrees still struggle to find work at the same level as EU nationals. The European Commission has recommended new approaches to fix this problem. These include offering language training, job search support, civil orientation, and easier recognition of qualifications from outside the EU. There are also proposals for financial incentives to encourage employers to hire migrants and simplified work permits through the EU Single Permit Directive.
Why does Europe need migrant workers?
Because many European countries are facing worker shortages due to aging populations and declining birth rates.
What is the result of this shortage?
It means there are not enough local workers to fill important roles, especially in fields like construction, healthcare, and manufacturing.
Migrant workers are already filling many of these shortages. For example, non-EU citizens made up 6% of the EU workforce in 2023, compared to only 2% in 2010. In Portugal, the number of foreign workers tripled between 2017 and 2022, and migrants now help cover 17% of the country’s pension costs. In the Czech Republic, Ukrainian workers under Temporary Protection sometimes pay more in taxes than they receive in benefits, which helps strengthen the economy.
The EU has also launched programs to support migrant integration. The Action Plan on Integration and Inclusion (2021–2027) works to improve how foreign qualifications are recognized. Digital tools like the EU Skills Profile Tool for Third-Country Nationals help map a migrant’s skills and match them with suitable job roles. New projects funded through the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) include employment programs for migrant women and workers in renewable energy and agriculture.
At the same time, Europe is introducing new travel systems that will change how visitors enter the region. The Entry/Exit System (EES) digitally records border crossings, replacing manual passport stamps. By 2026, the ETIAS travel authorization will be required for visitors from visa-exempt countries. These steps are meant to improve border management while helping governments plan better for short-term workers, students, and tourists.
In the bigger picture, the EU believes that supporting migrants and removing obstacles to employment will help Europe overcome worker shortages and maintain a strong economy. With fairer policies and better opportunities, migrant workers could play an even more important role in Europe’s future workforce.