How to Write a CV for Europe (2026): Country-by-Country Guide

One CV does NOT fit all of Europe. A German recruiter wants dates and certificates, a Dutch one wants 3 sharp bullet points, a French one wants diplomas first. This guide gives you the exact formula for each major market — plus a template that passes ATS filters.

The universal European CV structure

1. Header — name, city + country, email, phone, LinkedIn. (No photo by default — see below.)
2. Profile (2–3 lines) — your role + years + top 2 achievements. Skip it in Germany if you want a strict format.
3. Experience — reverse-chronological: company, role, dates, 3–5 bullets with measurable results.
4. Education — where it matters (France, Germany, Poland) put this near the top.
5. Skills — tools, languages (with levels), certifications.

Country-by-country differences

Photo, age and personal details — the 2026 rule

• UK, Ireland, Netherlands, Nordics: never include photo, age or marital status (it can even be a legal issue)
• Germany, Austria, France: historically required — now optional; include only if the job ad asks
• Spain, Poland, Portugal: common practice is still to include a professional photo

How to pass the ATS (automated screening)

• Use simple one-column layout — no graphics, tables or icons
• Standard headings: Experience · Education · Skills
• Mirror the keywords from the job ad (tools, technologies, certifications)
• Save as PDF with a clean filename: Name-Surname-Role.pdf
• Keep dates consistent (MM/YYYY) across the whole document

What a good European cover letter looks like

• Length: 150–250 words — no essay
• Structure: who you are → why this company → 2 proof points → call to action
• Personalise: reference the specific role and something real about the company
• Germany/Netherlands: formal sign-off matters (Mit freundlichen Grüßen / Met vriendelijke groet)

Ready to apply? Use these live job listings

• All Europe jobs — every country, updated daily
• Jobs in Germany · Jobs in Netherlands · Jobs in UK · Jobs in France
• USA remote jobs — if you're applying across the Atlantic too

FAQ — European CVs

• What is the difference between a CV and a resume in Europe?
  In Europe a CV is the standard document: 1–2 pages, reverse-chronological, with education and dates. A 'resume' (US style) is a shorter, achievement-focused version. Both are accepted in international companies, but the CV is expected in most European countries.
• Do I need a photo on my CV in Europe?
  Traditionally photo+date-of-birth were standard in Germany, France and Austria, but it is now optional in most companies and even discouraged in the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands and the Nordics. Skip it unless the employer asks; modern ATS systems strip photos anyway.
• How long should my CV be?
  One page for under 10 years of experience, two pages max otherwise. European recruiters skim in 30 seconds — cut anything that doesn't prove results.
• Should I write my CV in the local language?
  For local companies — yes (Germany: German; France: French; Spain: Spanish). For tech and international roles, English is fine and often preferred. A bilingual PDF (English + local language) is the safest choice.
• What is ATS and should I care?
  ATS (Applicant Tracking System) is the software that screens CVs before a human sees them. Use a standard template, normal headings (Experience, Education, Skills), no tables or images, and mirror the job's keywords.