Creating a European Talent Pool

EU Talent Pool – 10 March 2026

The European Parliament has adopted a regulation that creates an EU‑wide “Talent Pool” to help Member States fill labour shortages by recruiting skilled workers from outside the EU. The regulation is based on the Commission proposal COM(2023)0716 and follows the ordinary legislative procedure.

1. Purpose and Scope

• Goal: Address shortages in key sectors (green and digital transitions, construction, health, transport, IT, engineering, hospitality, etc.) by making it easier for skilled workers from third countries to find jobs in the EU.
• Who it covers:
• Jobseekers from third countries who live outside the EU and are not EU citizens.
• Employers and other entities (temporary work agencies, private employment agencies, labour‑market intermediaries) that are lawfully established in a participating Member State.

2. How the Talent Pool Works

• IT Platform – a single online portal where:
• Jobseekers register a profile (name, contact, age, nationality, qualifications, work experience, skills, languages, preferred countries, availability).
• Employers post job vacancies that match the list of EU‑wide shortage occupations (see Annex).
• An automated matching tool suggests suitable candidates and jobs.
• Shortage Occupations – a list of 70+ ISCO‑08 codes (e.g., 2142 civil engineers, 2221 nursing professionals, 2512 software developers, 7112 bricklayers, 8332 heavy truck drivers, etc.).
• Talent Partnerships – jobseekers can flag if they have received training or skills validation through a partnership, bilateral arrangement or national framework in a third country.

3. Participation Rules

• Member State Entry – any Member State may join at any time. It must notify the Secretariat at least 9 months before it starts using the platform and specify which employers can post jobs.
• Withdrawal – a Member State may leave the Talent Pool. It must give notice in June or December; withdrawal takes effect 9 months later. No new vacancies from that state may be posted after the notice, and existing vacancies are removed when withdrawal takes effect.
• Free of Charge – the platform is free for jobseekers. Employers cannot charge fees or hidden costs for recruitment.

4. Rights and Protections for Jobseekers

• Data Protection – personal data is processed only for matching. Jobseekers can edit, delete or restrict access to their data. Profiles not accessed for 12 months are removed after a 1‑month notice; anonymised data may remain for research.
• No Guarantee of Work Permit – registration does not guarantee a visa or residence permit. Employers must still follow national immigration rules.
• Information – the platform provides clear, plain‑language information on:
• Immigration procedures, visa and residence permits.
• Family reunification, social benefits, health, housing, language courses.
• Rights to complain and seek redress.

5. Employer Obligations

• Fair Recruitment – must comply with EU and national laws on non‑discrimination, working conditions, minimum wages, social protection, and anti‑trafficking.
• Job Vacancy Requirements – must include employer contact, job description, contract duration, place of work, and may add pay range.
• No Apprenticeships – the platform is not for traineeships or apprenticeships.
• Compliance Checks – National Contact Points maintain a registry of employers who are excluded or suspended. Employers listed there cannot post jobs.

6. Governance and Oversight

• Secretariat – run by the Commission; manages the platform, publishes information, collects data, and raises public awareness.
• Steering Group – two representatives from each participating Member State (one employment expert, one immigration expert), two from the Commission, six social‑partner representatives (equal trade‑union and employer representation).
• National Contact Points – each Member State’s designated authority that:
• Uploads vacancies via the single coordinated channel.
• Removes vacancies or jobseekers when required.
• Shares registries of compliant and excluded employers with the Steering Group.
• Monitoring – the Secretariat collects data on profiles, vacancies, placements, and user feedback. Reports are submitted to Parliament, the Council, and other EU bodies every five years, starting 31 December 2031.

7. Additional Provisions

• Accelerated Immigration – Member States may introduce fast‑track visa and residence procedures for selected jobseekers.
• Complaints – jobseekers can report violations to the National Contact Point, which forwards them to national authorities.
• Delegated Acts – the Commission can amend the list of shortage occupations and other technical details through delegated acts, with consultation and a two‑month objection period.
• Entry into Force – the regulation becomes applicable 20 days after publication in the Official Journal.

Annex – List of EU‑wide shortage occupations (ISCO‑08 codes)
2142 Civil engineers, 2151 Electrical engineers, 2211 Generalist medical practitioners, 2212 Specialist medical practitioners, 2221 Nursing professionals, 2411 Accountants, 2511 Systems analysts, 2512 Software developers, 2513 Web and multimedia developers, 2514 Applications programmers, 2519 Software and applications developers and analysts not elsewhere classified, 3113 Electrical engineering technicians, 3221 Nursing associate professionals, 5120 Cooks, 5131 Waiters, 5321 Health care assistants, 7112 Bricklayers, 7114 Concrete placers, 7115 Carpenters, 7121 Roofers, 7123 Plasterers, 7126 Plumbers, 7127 Air‑conditioning mechanics, 7212 Welders, 7213 Sheet‑metal workers, 7214 Structural metal preparers, 7223 Metal‑working machine‑tool setters, 7231 Motor‑vehicle mechanics, 7233 Agricultural and industrial machinery mechanics, 7411 Building electricians, 7412 Electrical mechanics, 7511 Butchers, 8331 Bus and tram drivers, 8332 Heavy truck drivers, 9112 Cleaners, 3119 Physical and engineering science technicians, 2143 Environmental engineers, 2133 Environmental protection professionals, 2145 Chemical engineers, 2144 Mechanical engineers, 3115 Mechanical engineering technicians, 2141 Industrial and production engineers.

This summary captures the main points of the regulation while keeping all key numbers and data.