TOP 5 European countries with labor shortages in 2026

5 European countries facing the most severe labor shortages in 2026 share one thing in common: a critical need for qualified personnel from abroad. Employers have been unable to fill vacancies in construction, warehousing, or logistics for months—even with competitive salaries and good working conditions. For those looking for work abroad, this means more open positions and more flexible requirements than a few years ago. In fact, this is currently one of the best times for those considering working in Europe as a foreign national.

Labor shortages in the EU: main causes

There are several reasons for this situation, and they are all acting simultaneously.

1. Aging population. Europe is aging rapidly—the share of the working-age population is shrinking faster than the market can train new specialists. According to official European Commission forecasts, this trend will continue to intensify even after 2026.
2. Locals are focused on other jobs. Many residents of European countries prefer office employment. At the same time, the greatest demand for workers is observed precisely in manual labor sectors—in construction, warehouses, and manufacturing.
3. There are fewer new skilled tradespeople. Young people in Europe are increasingly choosing not to enter manual trades like construction, electrical work, or mechanics. Meanwhile, the demand for such specialists does not decrease, and the shortage of workers grows every year.

Top 5 European countries with the most severe labor shortages

According to the official EURES report for 2025, labor shortages cover almost all European Union countries.

BzzJob specialists have compiled data on 5 countries where the labor shortage in 2026 is felt most acutely.

Ranking of European countries with the highest labor shortages in 2026:

• Country | Shortage indicator | Main sectors
• Netherlands | Highest vacancy level in the EU — 4.0% | Logistics, construction, warehouses
• Belgium | Second-highest vacancy level in the EU — 3.4% | Construction, manufacturing
• Germany | +540,000 workers needed in construction by 2027 | Construction, electrical work
• Estonia | Authorities have simplified the hiring of foreign workers | Manufacturing, warehouses, freight transport
• Lithuania | Acute shortage of long-haul truck drivers | Logistics, transport

Netherlands

According to Eurostat, the Netherlands recorded the highest vacancy rate among all EU countries in the first quarter of 2026. The shortage is particularly noticeable in logistics, construction, and warehousing. These are sectors that are popular among foreign workers without specialized qualifications.

Belgium

Belgium ranks second in the EU in terms of vacancy rates. As in the neighboring Netherlands, there is a consistent shortage of workers in construction and manufacturing.

Germany

The 2026 German labor market is one of the most illustrative examples of labor shortages in Europe. In the third quarter of 2025 alone, 52,000 electrician positions remained unfilled in the country. By 2027, the construction industry will need another 540,000 workers, according to estimates by the German construction industry association. At the official level, Germany acknowledges that the domestic labor market cannot meet this demand and is shifting toward the permanent hiring of workers from abroad.

Estonia

In 2026, Estonian authorities simplified the rules for hiring migrant workers—primarily due to shortages in the manufacturing, warehousing, and freight transport sectors.

Lithuania

In Lithuania, as in other Baltic countries, there is a particularly acute shortage of long-haul truck drivers. The shortage is so significant that local transport companies have begun hiring drivers even from Brazil.

Which jobs for migrants are in highest demand in 2026 in Europe

The list of shortage-prone professions largely repeats from country to country:

• drivers (categories B, C, CE, D);
• builders and general construction laborers;
• electricians;
• warehouse workers;
• factory and production workers;
• caregivers and home health aides.

This is confirmed by the EURES report: construction and transport are named as the sectors with the most sustained labor shortages throughout the European Union.

What labor shortages in Europe mean for foreigners planning legal employment in the EU

When a country lacks workers, it directly affects the conditions for labor migrants:

• more open vacancies — the EU labor market is more actively seeking candidates abroad, including among labor migrants from Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, and other countries;
• more lenient requirements — some vacancies are available without experience or language knowledge, which is especially important for those going to work in the EU for the first time;
• competition for candidates — employers more often offer housing, more convenient schedules, and higher salaries to attract and retain labor migrants.

You can view all current vacancies here