CV writing in Europe
There is no single European CV. Photos are normal in Germany and a liability in the UK. France wants one page; the Netherlands expects two and a real motivation letter. Italy and Poland want a data-consent clause. Luxembourg hires on language combinations. Pick where you are applying and write for that reader.
Britain & Ireland
Writing a CV for the UK
UK CV rules that actually matter: two pages, no photo, no date of birth, and a personal statement that earns its place.
ReadWriting a CV for Ireland
Irish CV conventions: two pages, no photo, referees often named, and how multinational hiring in Dublin differs from local employers.
ReadWestern Europe
Writing a CV for Germany (Lebenslauf)
The German Lebenslauf: tabular layout, photo still common, certificates attached, and what a complete Bewerbung actually contains.
ReadWriting a CV for the Netherlands
Dutch CV norms: two pages, direct tone, photo optional, and how to write a motivatiebrief that does not waffle.
ReadWriting a CV for Belgium
Belgian CV conventions across Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels: which language to write in, length, photo, and EU-institution applications.
ReadWriting a CV for France
French CV rules: one page where possible, formal tone, diplomas up front, and the lettre de motivation employers still expect.
ReadWriting a CV for Luxembourg
Luxembourg CV norms: which of three languages to write in, two pages, cross-border commuting context, and finance-sector expectations.
ReadNordics
Writing a CV for Sweden
Swedish CV norms: two pages, personal letter expected, photo optional, and how collaboration-focused hiring changes what you emphasise.
ReadWriting a CV for Denmark
Danish CV conventions: two pages, an ansøgning that carries real weight, flat-hierarchy signals, and photos as optional.
ReadWriting a CV for Norway
Norwegian CV norms: two pages, søknad expected, references named, and what energy, maritime and public-sector employers look for.
ReadSouthern Europe
Writing a CV for Spain (Currículum Vítae)
Spanish CV norms: one to two pages, photo still common, DNI/NIE left off, and how language level decides most shortlists.
ReadWriting a CV for Italy (Curriculum Vitae)
Italian CV conventions: two pages, photo common, the GDPR consent line employers look for, and why Europass is still widespread.
ReadCentral Europe
Writing a CV for Poland
Polish CV conventions: one to two pages, the RODO consent clause, photo common, and how English-language shared-service hiring works.
ReadWriting a CV for Austria (Lebenslauf)
Austrian CV norms: tabular Lebenslauf, photo common, titles used properly, and the full Bewerbung package employers expect.
ReadWhat changes country to country
Photos
Expected in Germany, Austria, France, Spain and Italy; optional across the Nordics, Netherlands and Poland; avoided in the UK and Ireland. Our templates toggle the photo per CV, so one profile produces both versions.
Length
One page in France and for early-career Spain; two almost everywhere else. Cut older roles to a single line rather than shrinking the type.
Cover letters
Genuinely read in France, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Norway. In the UK and Ireland they matter mostly for direct applications rather than agency submissions.
Consent clauses
Italy and Poland expect an explicit data-processing line (GDPR / RODO) at the end of the CV. Elsewhere it is unnecessary — and never include national ID numbers anywhere in Europe.
Language
Write in the employer's working language where you can, and state CEFR levels honestly. In Belgium and Luxembourg the language section is often the deciding factor.
References
Named referees are standard in Norway, Denmark and Ireland, and left off entirely in the UK. Germany and Austria replace them with attached employment certificates.
Build one profile, export every country variant
Keep your history in one place and generate country-specific CVs — photo on or off, one page or two, in the right language — without retyping anything.