Question 1

Can an EOR hire a non-EU national in Europe?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes. It depends on the destination country, what the worker's current permission allows, who the employing entity is and whether local agency or labour-leasing rules restrict the arrangement. Nationality alone does not decide eligibility, so the worker's status is reviewed before an offer.

Question 2

Does an EU residence permit let someone work anywhere in the EU?

Accepted Answer

Generally no. Most residence and work permits are issued nationally and allow work only in the issuing country, sometimes only for a named employer. Working in another member state usually needs that country's own permission. There is no pan-European automatic work permit for non-EU nationals.

Question 3

Can I hire someone with a permit for a different employer?

Accepted Answer

Not automatically. Where a permit is tied to a specific employer, changing employer may require notifying the authorities, amending the permit or applying for a new one before the person starts. Permits that give free labour-market access are usually simpler. We check the exact conditions first.

Question 4

Can EOR sponsor a visa for an Indian citizen?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the destination country, not the nationality. Where the employing entity is allowed to sponsor and the role, qualifications and salary meet a permit category, a route may exist. Where sponsor or labour-leasing rules restrict EOR, direct sponsorship or another structure may be needed.

Question 5

Can a US business employ non-EU workers without a subsidiary?

Accepted Answer

Often, where the destination country allows the employing entity to hire and, if needed, sponsor the worker. Your company's home country matters less than the country of work, the worker's status and who supervises the work. See our guide to EOR with immigration and work permits for the wider service.

Question 6

What is different for UK and Serbia?

Accepted Answer

Both sit outside the EU and run their own immigration systems, so EU free movement and the EU Blue Card do not apply. In the UK, Skilled Worker sponsorship cannot be used to supply a worker for an ongoing routine role at a third-party client. Serbia is assessed under its own national rules.

Question 7

Are EU Blue Cards accepted by EORs?

Accepted Answer

An existing Blue Card can support EOR employment in the issuing country if its conditions allow a change of employer, which may need notifying the authorities. A new Blue Card needs a qualifying employer, contract and salary, and some countries restrict approvals for workers placed with a third party.

Question 8

Can the worker begin employment before the permit?

Accepted Answer

No, not where a permit is required. The worker should start only once valid authorisation for that employer and role is in place and any entry or registration steps are complete.

Question 9

How much does it cost?

Accepted Answer

Usually a monthly EOR fee per employee, a one-off immigration service fee where a permit is needed, government and consular charges, employer tax and social security, and optional relocation. We confirm the case-specific costs in writing before you proceed.

Question 10

What if the EOR employment route is restricted?

Accepted Answer

We tell you early and set out the alternatives — such as direct sponsorship by your own entity, setting up a local entity, a lawful posting, or hiring in a country where the route works. Our immigration services team can then run the chosen route.

Current work rights & structure	Likely model	What it involves
Valid permission that allows a change to the new employer	EOR	Employment, payroll and compliance through the employing entity.
Needs new or amended permission; EOR sponsorship is permitted	EOR + Immigration	Permit and employment coordinated as one case.
Sponsorship or leasing rules restrict EOR	Direct sponsorship, entity or other route	Your own entity sponsors, a local entity is set up, or another compliant structure is used.

Hire Non-EU Employees in Europe with an Employer of Record

Can you hire a non-EU citizen through an EOR in Europe?

Non-EU citizen who needs the right to work

Non-EU company hiring in Europe

Non-EU European market (UK, Serbia)

Start with the worker's status, not their passport.

Has unrestricted work rights in the destination country

Holds a permit tied to a current employer

Lives in EU country A, would work in country B

Outside the EU with no permission

EU/EEA citizen

The 6 things that decide whether your candidate can be employed

Country and physical worksite

Nationality and residence

Exact permit conditions

Duties, qualifications and salary

Real employer and client control

Agency, leasing and sponsor rules

What we would look at first

US business, Indian data analyst, Netherlands

UK business, Indian engineer, Germany

European company, non-EU resident in Romania or Poland

Five steps to a lawful start

Collect the candidate's status

Screen employment and work authorisation

Agree the route and responsibilities

Apply for permits where needed

Employ, pay and renew

Rules change at every border

Germany

Netherlands

Romania

Poland

France

United Kingdom

Serbia

EOR, EOR + Immigration or an alternative?

What the total cost is made of

Hiring non-EU workers: common questions

Know whether your candidate can be hired before you make the offer.