What you need to know about the Australia-EU Free Trade Agreement 2026
Eight years in the making, the free trade agreement between Australia and the European Union was finally concluded in March 2026. The deal is expected to create new opportunities for Australian businesses, service providers and skilled professionals, including easier access to certain professional mobility pathways and streamlined recognition of qualifications.
If you've been dreaming about a move to Europe, here's what the agreement could mean for you, what's changing and what you need to know before making plans.
What’s actually changed?
The agreement introduces several meaningful changes to how Australians can live and work across the EU:
- Easier access to professional opportunities: The agreement will make it easier for eligible Australian service providers and professionals to travel to and within the EU for certain work-related activities. The arrangements include specific pathways for delivering services under contract and for eligible business personnel, each with its own conditions and time limits.
- More streamlined professional mobility: The agreement establishes specific pathways for eligible Australian professionals and service providers to undertake work in the EU. The conditions depend on the type of activity and the relevant pathway, so it should not be read as unrestricted permission to change jobs or move between member states.
- Streamlined professional recognition: The agreement provides for a more streamlined process for recognising professional qualifications. For eligible Australian service suppliers, this could make it easier to practise across EU member states without going through full re-qualification again. The precise requirements will depend on the profession and the applicable recognition arrangements.
- Intra-company transfers: Eligible Australian businesses will have improved mobility arrangements for transferring personnel to EU offices, including transfers of up to three years for executives and specialists, and up to one year for eligible graduate trainees. These arrangements are subject to the agreement's eligibility requirements and conditions.
- Innovation Mobility Pathway: A new pathway is intended to help eligible Australian researchers, engineers and technicians access opportunities in the EU. The specific eligibility requirements, permitted activities and length of stay will depend on the final terms of the agreement.
Top cities to consider
Based on where our Australian guests most often chose to base themselves, three cities come up again and again:
Technically outside the EU but still the most popular first stop for Australians heading to Europe. BCG's Decoding Global Talent report, which surveyed over 150,000 professionals across 188 countries — ranks London as the world's top city for professional relocation, and it's easy to see why. The job market is vast, the time zone overlap with Australia is manageable, and the established Australian community makes the transition easier. It works well as a base while you explore your European options.
One of Europe's most dynamic cities for tech, creative industries and startups, and a consistent fixture in expat city rankings. The cost of living is lower than London or Paris, English is widely spoken in professional settings, and the city has a relaxed, international character that suits people arriving without a rigid plan.
The financial, fashion and cultural heart of Europe, and one of the continent's most competitive job markets. Roles in consulting, luxury, engineering and the arts are plentiful. While French language skills are an advantage, most multinationals operate in English day to day. The cost of living is higher than Berlin, but Paris has a way of making that feel like a reasonable trade-off once you are actually living there. Blame Emily in Paris if you must, but the appeal is very real.
I’m sold; when does this come into effect?
The agreement has been concluded, but it has not yet been ratified or brought into force. Both Australia and the EU must complete the necessary legal and parliamentary processes before the new arrangements can take effect.
Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade expects formal signing in late 2026 or early 2027. Further domestic processes will follow, and the agreement could take up to two years to enter into force.
If you're planning a move, keep an eye on updates from DFAT and the European Commission. For now, existing visa and work-authorisation requirements continue to apply.
So do I still need a visa?
Visas and work-authorisation requirements will continue to apply. The agreement does not currently change entry requirements for Australian tourists, students or working holiday makers.
Once the agreement enters into force, eligible service providers and professionals may benefit from the new mobility arrangements. The requirements will depend on the type of work and the relevant pathway, so it's worth checking the official rules for your intended destination before making plans.
For the latest updates, follow Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or the European Commission.
The reality of relocating
Most people spend months researching the visa process, the job market and the cost of living. Fewer think carefully about where they will actually stay when they first arrive.
Committing to a long-term lease before you know a city well is a risk. Hotels are manageable for a night or two, but they're expensive and exhausting to live in across weeks or months. You're paying over the odds for a room that was never designed to be a home.
Serviced apartments sit in the gap between those two options. At The Square, our fully furnished apartments are available across 900+ cities worldwide. Bills and amenities are included in many of our stays. Plus, you're not committed to anything before you know whether the city is the right fit for you.
Ready to start planning for the future? Browse apartments on www.squa.re or speak to our team by contacting stay@thesqua.re
We've also put together practical relocation guides to help you make sure you have all bases covered - explore the resources.
