Australians wanting to move to Europe....
Replies: 8 - Last Post: Nov 16, 2012 5:53 PM Last Post By: Nice_But__
jump to
Australians wanting to move to Europe....
Hi,My wife & I (both native Australians) - are hoping to move to Europe sometime in the next two years. We are just beginning research. Basically we want to find out if it is possible to move to Continental Europe (preferable Germany - although we are open to other countries as well). I am a musician, and speak German. My wife is a General medical practitioner - she speaks French. We are 46 & 41 respectively.
As a musician, I can obviously fit in and work anywhere, although it will take me some time to get set up. I have worked in many countries around the world. I also have a secondary teaching qualification, and a University degree majoring in German language, although this is not how I make my living in Australia.
My wife, on the other hand, whilst highly skilled, will obviously need to be employed by someone. How possible is it for an Australian doctor to work in Europe? She has worked in Ireland, which was very simple. But its really Europe we are interested in.
Obviously there are a million variables, and this is a very simplistic question, but generally, hat European country/countries would be easiest to get employment & set up in for Australians in our age group, with our skills?
Thanks
Rob
1
For Germany, x post this question on the forums on http://www.toytowngermany.com.For France, x post on http://www.expatforum.com/expats/france-expat-forum-expats-living-france/
Consider also Switzerland.
If you intend to move into a German speaking area, your wife needs to crash course in German. Start with http://www.dw.de/learn-german/german-courses/s-2547 which are free online courses for the basics - available from the German version of the BBC worldservice. However, this will be of limited value especially for conversational so you should consider starting 1-2-1 lessons for maximum gain; stick an ad in your local newspaper would be my suggestion, failing that call up the language departments of nearby unis or major schools to see if they can offer any suggestions.
For visas -
Germany http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/DE/Startseite_node.html (click on English at the top)
France http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/france/coming-to-france/getting-a-visa/
Switzerland http://www.bfm.admin.ch/bfm/en/home/themen/einreise/merkblatt_einreise.html
Given you're much more mobile career wise than your wife (who will pretty much need fluency in her job), France may make more sense.
2
If you wish to base yourself near a major airport - for touring Europe at weekends and/or easy access back to Oz, the major hubs in Europe are Amsterdam (NL), London Gatwick and Heathrow (UK), Frankfurt (Germany), Munich (Germany), Zurich (Switzerland), Paris Orly and CDG (FR).Austria may also be an option - use Vienna (limited service compared to the others I listed). Austrian visas: http://www.bmeia.gv.at/en/embassy/london/practical-advice/schengen-visa-residence-permits.html
3
How possible is it for an Australian doctor to work in Europe?How possible is it to work in Australia for a doctor who can't speak English at (almost) native speaker's level?
She has worked in Ireland, which was very simple. But its really Europe we are interested in
Perhaps I'm missing something, but the last time I checked Ireland was also in Europe...
6
This is an Immigration question, not really a travel in Europe question. Post on the Long Haul branch - Living and working abroad.The short answer is that the TT is not the place to get Immigration advice. All the info you will need can be found on the individual country's Immigration website.
