EURES Targeted Mobility Scheme (EURES TMS)
EURES funding
EURES is the largest network for the support of occupational mobility within the EU. The EURES Targeted Mobility Scheme (EURES TMS) funding programme is part of the EURES strategy. The EURES TMS programme supports projects throughout Europe. Information on the various European projects can be found on the EURES website. EURES TMS projects are implemented in consortia, i.e. together with partner organisations. Information on the current projects and the respective consortium can be found here ("Our projects, our partners").
The aim of EURES is to promote fair and sustainable labour mobility across borders in Europe and to reduce existing barriers. In the context of EURES TMS projects, fair and sustainable mobility means that participants in the programme are individually informed about living and working in the desired destination country and are financially supported in overcoming obstacles when taking up a new job in another EU country, Norway or Island. EURES TMS thus facilitates the professional mobility and integration of employees in Europe. The opportunities for jobseekers and companies are manifold. The detailed counselling, which is mandatory in the context of the funding, points the way to the appropriate funding modules, from financial support for language preparation and relocation costs to special support for companies hiring employees from the EU.
Programme participants are free to choose a job in one of the 27 EU member states, Norway or Iceland, provided that the job:
- is subject to social security contributions
- complies with the statutory and collectively agreed regulations
- is paid at least the statutory minimum wage (this also applies to apprenticeships and internships)
- is for a minimum duration of six months or three months in the case of internships
- and the working hours are at least 50% of a full-time position, so that the employee can earn a living independently
- is not seasonal work
Clearly defined eligibility requirements and quality standards, as well as professional counselling and checking of working conditions, are central to ensuring fairness and sustainability.
Fair and sustainable mobility also means that recruitment pathways and cooperation with language course providers must be communicated transparently by both potential employers and applicants. Companies acting in the context of TMS support commit themselves to the values of fair mobility and transparent, respectful cooperation with the EURES-TMS consortium and associated partner organisations. Detailed information on the application process can be found here ("How does it work?").
The German EURES projects support both employees whose destination country is Germany and employees who are looking for work EU-wide. A particular focus of the German EURES TMS projects is on supporting people who are at high risk of unemployment and for whom transnational labour mobility represents a particular challenge. These include the long-term unemployed, people with disabilities, single parents and people who are not in education, employment or training (NEETS).
Workers who return to their country of origin or a country in which they have already lived for a longer period of time cannot be supported, as there are significantly fewer obstacles to overcome.
The shortage of skilled labour is causing major problems for companies in many sectors in Europe. A lack of labour force is restricting the general public and preventing the necessary restructuring processes in many sectors. When hiring new employees from other countries, it is often necessary to adapt qualifications. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and independent branches with up to 250 employees can apply for support with the integration or the training of their new EU employees. Companies applying for this support in Germany are advised by the partners in the consortium "TIBOR GmbH, Gesellschaft für Bildung, Beratung und Vermittlung" (TIBOR) and "BBZ Berufsbildungszentrum Augsburg der Lehmbaugruppe gGmbH" (BBZ) on suitable offers and supported in submitting their applications. The consortium partners provide advice on these funding opportunities in their own countries as part of sub-projects.