Working remotely for a UK or EU company: right to work, time zones and tax basics

Remote and hybrid jobs are more common in Europe than many people expect. In Indeed's data for the week to 30 September 2026, the share of job postings mentioning remote or hybrid work was 16.8% in Ireland, 15.9% in the UK, 13.9% in Germany and 12.1% in France. That compares with 13.8% in Canada and 8.6% in the US (Indeed Hiring Lab Remote Tracker).

But "remote" doesn't mean "from anywhere". Before you apply, check three things: whether you can legally work there, whether the hours fit, and how contracts and tax work.

This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change and every situation is different, so check the official guidance linked below, and speak to the relevant authority or a qualified adviser before relying on a detail.

What "remote, UK" or "remote, EU" usually means

Most listings really mean "remote within these countries", because the employer usually has to pay you through local payroll, an Employer of Record (EOR) or as a contractor. So:

• "UK" usually means you live in the UK and have the right to work there.
• "EU" or "Europe" usually means one or more named countries. Read the location line closely.
• "EMEA" often includes the UK, the Middle East and Africa too. Ask which countries they can hire in.

Browse remote jobs in the UK or in Europe; each listing shows where the employer can hire from. Based in North America? Most UK and EU roles won't hire there, so start with remote jobs open to the USA or Canada, or look at roles open to both Europe and the USA.

Right to work: the basics

UK

GOV.UK says you need to prove your right to work to your employer before you start working for them (Prove your right to work).

• British and Irish citizens can use a British passport, or an Irish passport or passport card. It can be current or expired. If you have a passport or passport card, your employer may offer an online identity service provider instead.
• Everyone else can use a share code or eligible immigration documents. You choose which. GOV.UK says your employer can't reject your application because you gave them an eligible document instead of a share code.
• A share code comes from your eVisa and lasts for 90 days. You'll need to give the employer your date of birth too (View your eVisa and get a share code).

EU

As an EU national, you're entitled to work for an employer or as a self-employed person in any EU country without a work permit (Your Europe, Working abroad). For non-EU nationals, the rights depend on your nationality or family status, and often on the national law of the country (Your Europe, Work permits). The EU Immigration Portal is the official starting point.

Ireland is a useful example of how national rules sit on top of this. Citizens of the EEA (the EU plus Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein), Switzerland and the UK can live and work in Ireland without an employment permit. People from outside those countries need permission to live and work there, often an employment permit (Citizens Information, Coming to work in Ireland).

Employee, contractor or EOR?

• Employee: the company employs you and usually takes tax from your pay.
• Contractor: you invoice the company and usually handle your own tax.
• EOR: a local company legally employs you on behalf of the business you work for. It feels like being an employee, but your contract is with the EOR.

In the UK, GOV.UK lists several types of employment status, including worker, employee, and self-employed and contractor. Your status in tax law can be different, and courts and tribunals can make final decisions on employment status. For advice, GOV.UK points to Acas (or the Labour Relations Agency in Northern Ireland); the Acas helpline is 0300 123 1100 (GOV.UK, Employment status).

If you contract through your own limited company, the off-payroll working rules (IR35) may apply. In most cases the client decides your employment status for tax and should give you a status determination statement. If the client is a small business outside the public sector, your own company (the intermediary) decides (GOV.UK, IR35).

Ask at the first call: "Is this employee, contractor or EOR, and who is my legal employer?"

Your written terms

• UK: employees and workers must get a principal written statement on their first day, and a wider written statement within 2 months (GOV.UK, Written statement).
• Ireland (as an EU example): your core terms (such as how your pay is calculated) are due in writing within 5 days of starting, and the rest within 1 month (Citizens Information, Contract of employment).

Time zones: will the hours fit?

Look for "core hours" or a time zone in the listing, then convert it to your time.

• The UK and Ireland are one hour behind most of central Europe, so overlap is close to a full working day.
• UK clocks go forward on the last Sunday in March and back on the last Sunday in October: 29 March and 25 October in 2026, 28 March and 31 October in 2027 (GOV.UK, When do the clocks change?).
• US daylight saving time begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November (NIST).

So in 2026 the London to New York gap is 4 hours instead of the usual 5 from 8 to 29 March, and again from 25 October to 1 November. Always ask: "Do the hours follow your clock changes or mine?"

Tax basics

UK

For the 2026 to 2027 tax year (6 April 2026 to 5 April 2027), the standard Personal Allowance is £12,570. Then the basic rate is 20% up to £50,270, the higher rate 40% up to £125,140, and the additional rate 45% above that. The Personal Allowance shrinks once your income goes over £100,000, and Scotland has different bands (GOV.UK, Income Tax rates). National Insurance is on top. Our UK take-home pay calculator gives a rough figure after tax and National Insurance.

EU

• There are no EU-wide rules on how people who live or work outside their home country pay income tax. The country where you're tax resident can usually tax your income, and each country has its own definition. You'll usually be tax resident where you spend more than 6 months a year. If two countries both treat you as resident, double tax agreements usually decide which one counts (Your Europe, Income taxes abroad).
• For social security, which country covers you depends on your work situation and where you live, not your nationality, and you can't choose. If you work in more than one EU country, your country of residence covers you if you do a substantial part (at least 25% of your working time and/or income) there. If your employer posts you to another EU country, a PD A1 form shows you stay covered at home; it's issued for up to 24 months (Your Europe, Social security cover abroad).

Planning to spend a few months in another country? Check with the tax authorities in both countries first.

Working only from home is still a minority

Just 8.9% of employed people aged 20 to 64 in the EU usually worked from home in 2025 (Eurostat). In Great Britain, 12% of working adults surveyed from 2 to 27 September 2026 had worked only from home in the previous seven days (ONS).

So it helps to search where every role is remote. Remote1st lists remote roles only, and every listing shows where the employer can hire from. Try English-speaking remote jobs in Europe, or set up free weekly job alerts for the UK, Europe, the USA or Canada. Full job descriptions are free to read.

New jobs reach free listings and alerts once they're three days old. Remote1st Pro shows the company name and apply link for new roles 72 hours earlier, plus weekday matches and alerts. It costs €29 a month, €69 for three months or €89 for a year.

FAQ

Can I work remotely for a UK company from abroad?

Sometimes, but most UK listings need you to live in the UK. Unless the employer says otherwise, assume "UK" means UK-based.

Do EU citizens need a work permit to work in another EU country?

No. Your Europe says EU nationals can work in any EU country without a work permit. The employer still decides which countries it can hire and pay in.

How long does a UK share code last?

90 days, according to GOV.UK. You can get a new one whenever you need it.

Which country taxes me if I work remotely across borders in the EU?

Usually the country where you're tax resident, often where you spend more than 6 months a year. Double tax agreements usually decide which country counts if two both treat you as resident. This is general information, so check with the tax authorities for your own situation.