For many Australians, the dream of living and working in Europe has long been limited by restrictive visa rules and bureaucratic hurdles. That could soon change. In 2026, a suite of proposals and evolving agreements between the European Union (EU) and Australia promise to make it significantly easier for Australians to live, work and build careers across Europe — potentially reshaping international mobility for a generation.
A New Mobility Deal on the Horizon
At the centre of these changes is a proposed labour mobility scheme being discussed as part of renewed negotiations toward a long-awaited EU–Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA). This proposal would represent one of the most substantial shifts in mobility rights for Australians since the inception of the working holiday visa regime.
Under the plan currently being floated by EU and Australian officials:
Australians could be allowed to live and work in EU member states for extended periods — potentially up to four years — without needing to secure a job offer before arrival. This contrasts sharply with many current working visas, which require sponsorship or pre-arranged employment.
The scheme is envisioned as reciprocal, meaning European citizens would gain similar rights to live and work in Australia under comparable terms.
Importantly, the agreement is broader and more flexible than traditional working holiday visas, which often come with age limits and rigid time caps. Early reporting suggests this new arrangement could provide pathways to longer-term stays and even future settlement options.
What This Means for Australians
If agreed, these mobility changes could alter how Australians think about international careers and lifestyle choices:
Extended opportunities: Instead of strict 12-month or two-year visitor visas, Australians may be able to commit to multi-year stays, taking up full-time jobs, internships, freelance roles or entrepreneurial ventures across Europe.
Greater flexibility: With job-offer requirements removed or eased, Australians could travel first and seek employment once in Europe, making relocation less risky and more appealing for young professionals, mid-career workers, and families.
Reciprocity and global ties: Because the plan is mutual, Europeans would enjoy easier access to the Australian job market — strengthening cultural and economic links between the regions.
The Context: Trade Negotiations and Strategic Incentives
These mobility proposals don’t exist in isolation. They are deeply tied to broader political and economic negotiations between Australia and the EU, which have been under way since 2018. Talks have previously stalled — particularly over agricultural market access and Europe’s strict protections on geographical product names like feta and prosecco — but mobility has emerged as a practical and popular issue that could help bridge long-standing divides.
European officials see labour mobility as a way to address skill shortages in key sectors, while Australia hopes easier access to European talent will help industries facing domestic labour constraints.
Timing and What’s Still Uncertain
As of early 2026, no final deal has been signed. Negotiations are ongoing, and the specific legal mechanisms, eligibility criteria and detailed implementation timelines have yet to be finalised. There are also broader changes on the horizon for travel to Europe: from late 2026, Australians — like most visa-exempt visitors — will be required to apply for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) travel permit to enter the Schengen Area for tourism or business stays of up to 90 days.
A New Era of Mobility?
Should these proposals become reality, they would signal a transformative shift in how Australians access opportunities abroad. Europe could transition from a predominantly short-stay destination for working holidays and tourism to a viable, long-term option for those seeking to live, work and thrive internationally.