Regulation (EU) 2026/1047 · Independent guide
The EU Talent Pool. What it is, who it's for, and how to prepare.
The EU Talent Pool is the European Union's first EU-wide recruitment platform connecting non-EU jobseekers with employers in shortage occupations. The regulation is in force. The platform is expected to launch in late 2027. Here is what you need to know — and what you can do right now.
What is the EU Talent Pool?
The EU Talent Pool is an IT platform established by Regulation (EU) 2026/1047. It connects jobseekers from outside the EU — who reside outside the Union — with employers in participating EU member states, specifically for occupations facing documented labour shortages.
The platform builds on existing EU infrastructure: jobseekers register through Europass and their profiles use the ESCO skills taxonomy. Job listings will be published through the EURES job portal. The matching mechanism connects candidate profiles with employer vacancies based on skills, qualifications, and experience.
The regulation targets sectors with persistent EU-wide shortages: healthcare, construction, ICT, engineering, transport, hospitality, and green-transition roles. It covers all skill levels, not only highly qualified workers.
EU-wide scope
One platform across all participating member states, instead of 27 separate systems.
Non-EU jobseekers
For people living outside the EU who want to work in Europe in shortage occupations.
Verified employers
Participating employers in member states that have opted into the pool.
No immigration right
Registration does not grant a visa or work permit. National immigration law still applies.
Timeline
From proposal to operational platform — where things stand now.
October 2023
European Commission publishes proposal
The Commission proposes a regulation establishing the EU Talent Pool as part of the Skills and Talent Mobility package.
March 2026
Council gives final approval
The Council of the European Union formally adopts the regulation after European Parliament approval.
12 May 2026
Published in Official Journal
Regulation (EU) 2026/1047 is published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
1 June 2026
Regulation applies
The legal framework enters into force. Member states may begin establishing National Contact Points.
Late 2027
Platform fully operational
The Commission develops and launches the IT platform. Jobseekers and employers can register and match.
Shortage occupations
The EU Talent Pool focuses on occupations facing EU-wide shortages. This list reflects the sectors referenced by Regulation (EU) 2026/1047 — indicative and subject to adjustment by participating member states through their National Contact Points.
Healthcare & care
Nurses · Doctors · Health care assistants · Home-based personal care workers
Construction & trades
Electricians · Plumbers · Carpenters · Welders · Bricklayers · Roofers
ICT & engineering
Software developers · Systems analysts · Civil engineers · Electrical engineers
Transport & logistics
Heavy truck drivers · Bus drivers · Mechanics
Hospitality & food
Cooks · Waiters · Bakers
Green transition & STEM
Renewable energy technicians · Heat pump installers · Laboratory technicians
Shortage occupations
Full directory with ESCO codes, demand levels, and countries.
Read moreCountry guides
Work permits, processing times, and recognition bodies by country.
Read moreFor employers
Credential verification, hiring readiness, and how to prepare.
Read morePreparation checklist
Step-by-step guide with document requirements and tool links.
Read moreFor jobseekers
If you live outside the EU and want to work in Europe, the EU Talent Pool will let you create a profile showcasing your skills, qualifications, and experience — and be matched with verified employers in shortage occupations.
What the pool offers
- A single profile visible to employers across participating member states
- Skills classified in the ESCO taxonomy, the EU standard
- Registration through the Europass platform
- Matching with verified employers in shortage occupations
What it does not do
- Does not grant a visa, work permit, or right of residence
- Does not guarantee a job offer or employment
- Does not automatically recognise your qualifications
- Does not replace national immigration procedures
For employers
If you employ people in a participating EU member state and struggle to fill shortage occupations with EU candidates, the pool gives you access to a wider talent base — jobseekers from outside the EU who have registered their skills and qualifications.
What employers should know
- Your member state must opt in — participation is voluntary
- Candidate profiles are self-declared unless independently verified
- National immigration law still governs work permits and residence
- Member states may choose to facilitate or accelerate permit procedures for pool matches
How TalentPath complements the pool
- Independent credential verification — not self-declared
- Free verification at talentpath.eu/verify, no account needed
- Available now, before the official platform launches
Don't wait for late 2027
Prepare for the EU Talent Pool now.
The platform won't be operational until late 2027, but the skills, credentials, and profile you build today will be the foundation of your application. Every step below is free.
Check whether your occupation is in shortage
The EU Talent Pool targets specific shortage occupations. Check the sectors below and use TalentPath's Skill Portability tool to see how your occupation maps to the ESCO taxonomy used by EU employment services.
Check your occupationAssess and verify your skills
Pool profiles are self-declared — a verified credential is independent evidence. Take the free DigComp 3.0 assessment: score 70% or higher in every area and a W3C Verifiable Credential is issued immediately, checkable by any employer.
Start the free assessmentGather your existing credentials
Import credentials from other issuers. TalentPath verifies the cryptographic signature, checks issuer registries (ROR, DEQAR), and shows you and employers whether the credential is authentic, current, and from a recognised institution.
Import credentialsUnderstand recognition in your target country
A qualification earned in one country is not automatically recognised in another. The Skill Portability tool tells you whether your qualification is subject to automatic recognition, general system recognition, or requires additional steps.
Check recognitionMake your profile visible now
Join TalentPath's independent talent pool. Your profile is pseudonymous and consent-gated — employers can see your skills and credentials but must request permission to contact you. Be visible to employers before the official pool launches.
Join the talent poolBrowse current openings
EU employers are hiring now, and many sponsor work permits. The TalentPath job board aggregates listings from EURES, Adzuna, and Arbeitnow and shows which postings say they sponsor a visa.
Browse jobsFrequently asked questions
Does registering on the EU Talent Pool give me a visa or work permit?
No. Registration or selection via the EU Talent Pool does not confer any right of entry, residence, or work in any EU member state. Work and residence permits remain subject to national immigration law. The pool is a matching platform, not an immigration channel.
Is participation mandatory for EU member states?
No. Participation by member states is voluntary. Each participating state establishes a National Contact Point to coordinate its involvement. Not all 27 member states may participate initially.
Can I register now?
The official EU Talent Pool platform is not yet operational — it is expected by late 2027. You can prepare now by mapping your skills to the ESCO taxonomy, earning verifiable credentials, and joining TalentPath's independent talent pool to make your profile visible to employers.
How will skills and qualifications be verified on the EU Talent Pool?
The regulation builds on Europass for worker registration and the ESCO taxonomy for skills classification. Profiles on the pool are self-declared. Independent verification — such as a TalentPath Verifiable Credential — can provide evidence that a self-declared claim has been tested.
Is TalentPath the EU Talent Pool?
No. TalentPath is an independent service. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or accredited by the European Commission or any EU institution. TalentPath provides skills assessment, verifiable credentials, and a talent pool that exist independently of the EU Talent Pool regulation.
Which occupations are covered?
The EU Talent Pool focuses on occupations facing EU-wide shortages: healthcare, construction, ICT, engineering, transport, hospitality, and green-transition roles. Each participating member state may adjust the list through its National Contact Point.
Will the EU Talent Pool replace national job portals?
No. It complements them. The pool will use the existing EURES job portal for listings and Europass for registration. National immigration systems and job markets continue to operate independently.
Official sources
This page summarises publicly available information. For the binding legal text and official guidance, refer to:
Start building your profile today.
The regulation is live. The platform is coming. The skills you verify now are the evidence you'll attach to your application later.
Hiring from outside the EU?
Browse candidates who already hold a verified credential in the TalentPath Talent Pool. Verify any credential free at talentpath.eu/verify.