For 27-year-old Hughie Flannery, the decision to move 16,000km away to Amsterdam has been anything but impulsive. Like many Australians contemplating a life overseas, the idea simmered for years before finally tipping into action. “Deciding to move abroad has never been straightforward. I tossed and turned, making the call to leave home and test a new experience,” the Queenslander told Yahoo News Australia. Hughie’s experience reflects a broader reality for many around the country. While global mobility is often romanticised, the practical barriers are real and often exhausting.
Despite the abundance of online information, Hughie described the process as fragmented and time-consuming, requiring months, sometimes years, of research and preparation. “Even with a wealth of information and resources online, the process can be overwhelming and confusing … preparing before making the decision,” he said.
What’s stopping Australians from moving to Europe?
At the centre of that is the uncertainty around visas. For many young Australians, the ability to live and work abroad hinges on securing employment or sponsorship before they even arrive, a requirement that can feel like an insurmountable hurdle. “Without a job or sponsorship lined up, your ability to move abroad for a long time is never guaranteed, so it can be really nerve-racking to leap,” Hughie said. This is where the proposed Australia–European Union trade agreement enters the picture.
While still under negotiation and yet to be fully implemented, the deal aims to strengthen economic ties between Australia and the EU, with provisions that could make it easier for professionals — particularly younger workers — to live and work across borders. What could soon change? It would provide potential pathways for longer stays and greater flexibility around employment conditions. For Hughie, the promise of that flexibility is significant, even if the details remain unclear.
“While some details are still emerging, the move offers greater flexibility and security,” he said. “The main selling point is the ability to relocate without locking into a specific job beforehand.” In practical terms, though, much of the benefit is still theoretical. Hughie expects to already be in the Netherlands by the time any changes take effect, meaning his current move still relies on navigating the existing system, with all its complications.
“But I will see the immediate effects of relaxed regulation,” he said. “Knowing there’s now the potential for longer-term security means that if my circumstances change, I could remain in the Netherlands while carefully planning my next steps, without the immediate pressure of having to leave under my current visa.”
That safety net is a recurring theme, and arguably the most tangible shift the agreement promises. Under current arrangements, many visas are tightly linked to a single employer, leaving workers exposed if circumstances change. Still, the day-to-day reality hasn’t caught up with the policy ambition. Hughie’s visa journey has been one of the most frustrating parts of the process.
“The biggest challenge so far has been the visa, specifically trying to align it with my current job,” he said. “My employer was keen to sponsor me as a Highly Skilled Migrant, but because they’re Australian-based, it’s been a lot more difficult than expected.” He points to structural barriers that remain firmly in place, such as the need for a local entity or third-party arrangement to enable sponsorship.
“Unless a company has a local Dutch entity or uses a third-party ‘Employer of Record,’ sponsoring a non-EU citizen is nearly impossible,” Hughie said. Even with the trade agreement on the horizon, he is clear about its limitations. “You still need a visa to live and work in the Netherlands, and that whole process hasn’t actually gotten any easier yet,” Hughie said. “It’s a step in the right direction, but the paperwork definitely won’t disappear overnight.”
Beyond bureaucracy, the financial reality of relocating has also been a shock, not because the costs were unexpected, but because of their sheer scale when converted into euros. Wise Australia and New Zealand country manager, Tristan Dakin, said many Australians make the mistake of choosing a city based on its image rather than whether it actually makes sense for work. He also warned that the financial side of a move can quietly catch people out.
“If you’re losing three to five per cent on conversion fees, this can quickly eat into your funds, wherever you choose to go,” he told Yahoo News Australia. And there are obligations back home that don’t disappear once you leave. “Many assume HECS-HELP debt pauses once they leave Australia, but repayments are still compulsory if your global income exceeds A$67,000 (2025-26).”
Yet, despite the challenges, the emotional pull remains strong for Hughie. The move for him is as much about personal growth as it is about career or lifestyle. “There is something incredibly exciting about stepping away from the familiar and not knowing exactly what your life will look like, what amazing people you’ll meet and the challenges you might face,” he said. “To be honest, I never really saw myself leaving Australia, and the idea of it is still a little scary, as it is thrilling.”
The trade agreement, while still in its early stages, appears to be shifting sentiment, if not yet the full reality. Hughie has already noticed a ripple effect among his peers. “Since the announcement, more of my friends are considering moving to Europe and have definitely been talking more about it with me,” he said. Whether the agreement ultimately delivers on its promise remains to be seen. For now, it represents something more intangible but still powerful.
“The agreement gives me a lot more confidence heading into this move,” Hughie said.
