The highest proportion of temporary contracts is found in Cyprus, the Netherlands, and Poland. There, more than four out of ten workers who came from outside the European Union are employed under fixed-term contracts.
The reason is not solely a matter of the workers’ own choices, Euronews notes. According to Joanna Hoffman, director of employment research at Ipsos, foreign workers are more likely to face language barriers, non-recognition of their degrees, a lack of professional contacts, discrimination, and restrictions related to their immigration status.
“Many citizens of non-EU countries face additional obstacles when looking for stable, permanent work,” says Hoffman. In her assessment, these factors are the main reasons for the gap, although some migrants deliberately choose seasonal or short-term employment.
The difference is also evident in work arrangements. In 2025, one in five workers from third countries worked part-time—about 22%. Among nationals of their host countries, this figure was approximately 17%, and among EU citizens working in another EU member state, it was about 20%. The widest gap was observed in the Netherlands, Finland, and France.
Another characteristic of the European labor market is a persistent gender gap. Regardless of citizenship, women are significantly more likely than men to work on temporary contracts and part-time. This trend is most pronounced in Italy, Spain, and Portugal. Experts attribute this to the fact that women are more often employed in healthcare, education, social services, and the hospitality industry, and they frequently juggle work with caring for children and relatives.
Self-employment, on the other hand, remains the domain of predominantly local residents. Among EU citizens working in their home country, 13.5% run their own businesses, compared to 10.9% of citizens from other EU countries and 10.1% of those from third countries. Experts attribute this to local residents’ easier access to financing, business connections, and an understanding of national business regulations.
