Cvida Studies · Status as of October 12, 2026

CV Rules in Europe: 30 Countries Compared

What a CV should include, how long it should be, and whether the employer must tell you the salary, checked against official sources in 30 countries.

Key findings

26 of 30: countries' official guidance puts a CV at one to two pagesNo official figure for Denmark, Italy or Bulgaria; Swiss sources differ.
7 of 30: countries already require employers to tell applicants the pay before hiringLaw in force on October 12, 2026. Greece follows on 1 November 2026.
5 of 25: EU countries in this study have transposed the EU Pay Transparency Directive, four months after the deadlinePoland and Estonia only in part. The deadline was 7 June 2026.
2 of 30: countries where official guidance advises against a photo: the UK and IrelandElsewhere it is optional or common. Denmark is the one country where it is expected.

Most advice about applying abroad repeats the same generalisations: Germans want a photo, Nordic CVs carry no personal details, Italian CVs need a privacy clause. We checked each point against the EURES country pages, national employment services and the law in 30 European countries, and kept only what a source actually says. Where no official source addresses a question, the table says so instead of guessing.

Methodology

Countries: 30: the EU member states except Cyprus and Malta, plus Iceland, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland and the United Kingdom
Status as of: October 12, 2026
Primary sources: EURES country pages, national public employment services, legislation portals and official gazettes
Secondary sources: University career services, labour-law firms and established recruiters, used only where no official source exists
Not used: CV-builder marketing pages and generic "CV tips by country" articles

Every value links to the page it comes from. A value backed by an official source or a statute counts as high confidence; one backed by a single reputable secondary source as medium. Where sources contradict each other the value is marked "Sources disagree" and the note explains how.

"No official source found" is a result, not a gap: neither the national employment service, EURES nor the law addresses the point. We did not fill those cells from CV-advice blogs.

Conventions are not laws. A value such as "common" describes what official guidance says applicants usually do. It is a legal requirement only where the note cites a law.

We dropped one planned column, how widely Europass is used. No national authority publishes that figure, so any number would be a guess.

The pay-transparency section moves quickly while countries transpose Directive (EU) 2023/970. It reflects legislation in force on the status date; bills are reported as bills.

Photo on a CV: less expected than you think

The usual advice splits Europe in two: photos expected in the German-speaking countries and across the south and east, unwelcome in the UK and Ireland. Official sources draw a softer line.

A photo is common in ten countries, including Germany, Austria and Switzerland, but German and Austrian sources stress that it is voluntary, and in Austria an employer may not insist on one. Across much of the south and east, where CV guides often call a photo standard, the official sources describe it as optional: Croatia's EURES page says one is not necessary, and Italy's says to attach one only if asked.

The surprise is Denmark. Workindenmark, the official portal for foreign job seekers, tells applicants to include a professional picture and says it is normal to mention age, marriage and children.

Should you put a photo on your CV?

Photo on a CV, by country

What official guidance says applicants usually do

Show the data

Country	Photo
Denmark	Expected
Germany	Common
Austria	Common
Switzerland	Common
Luxembourg	Common
Portugal	Common
Iceland	Common
Finland	Common
Czechia	Common
Romania	Common
Slovenia	Common
Netherlands	Optional
Belgium	Optional
France	Optional
Spain	Optional
Italy	Optional
Norway	Optional
Sweden	Optional
Estonia	Optional
Latvia	Optional
Lithuania	Optional
Poland	Optional
Slovakia	Optional
Croatia	Optional
Serbia	Optional
Greece	Optional
United Kingdom	Not recommended
Ireland	Not recommended

Cvida Studies · status as of October 12, 2026 · cvida.io

Salary transparency: where employers must tell you the pay

Directive (EU) 2023/970 requires employers to give applicants the starting pay or pay range before the interview, and bans asking candidates what they earn now or earned before. Member states had until 7 June 2026 to put it into national law.

Four months later, five of the 25 EU countries in this study have done so: Italy, Slovakia and Lithuania in full, Poland and Estonia in part. Greece has passed a law that applies from 1 November 2026. Germany has not yet published a bill; France, the Netherlands and Spain have bills or drafts under debate.

Some countries were ahead of Brussels. Austria has required pay in job ads since 2011, Slovakia and Latvia since 2018, and Lithuania since 2019.

Outside the EU, the UK is consulting on pay in job adverts until 27 October 2026. Norway and Iceland are not yet bound, because the directive has not been added to the EEA Agreement.

Must employers tell applicants the pay?

Law in force on October 12, 2026

Show the data

Country	Pay information
Austria	Required in the job ad
Italy	Required in the job ad
Latvia	Required in the job ad
Lithuania	Required in the job ad
Slovakia	Required in the job ad
Estonia	Required before the interview
Poland	Required before the interview
Greece	Adopted, not yet in force
Germany	No obligation
Switzerland	No obligation
Netherlands	No obligation
Belgium	No obligation
Luxembourg	No obligation
France	No obligation
United Kingdom	No obligation
Ireland	No obligation
Spain	No obligation
Portugal	No obligation
Sweden	No obligation
Finland	No obligation
Denmark	No obligation
Czechia	No obligation
Hungary	No obligation
Romania	No obligation
Bulgaria	No obligation
Croatia	No obligation
Slovenia	No obligation

Cvida Studies · status as of October 12, 2026 · cvida.io

The rules at a glance

One line per country for the four questions with the best official coverage. Select a country for every field, the notes and the sources.

How long should a CV be?

CV conventions and pay transparency in 30 European countries, as of October 12, 2026
Country	Photo	Length	Cover letter	Pay for applicants
Germany	Common	1–2 pages	Expected	No
Austria	Common	1–2 pages	Expected	In the job ad
Switzerland	Common	2 pages^†	Expected	No
Netherlands	Optional	1–2 pages	Expected	No
Belgium	Optional^†	1–2 pages	Expected	No
Luxembourg	Common	1–2 pages	Expected	No
France	Optional	1–2 pages	Expected	No
United Kingdom	Not recommended	1–2 pages	Expected	No
Ireland	Not recommended	1–2 pages	Expected	No
Spain	Optional	1–2 pages	Expected	No
Portugal	Common	1–2 pages	Common	No
Italy	Optional	—	Common	In the job ad
Iceland	Common	1–2 pages	Common	—
Norway	Optional	1–2 pages	Common	—
Sweden	Optional	1–2 pages	Expected	No
Finland	Common	1–2 pages	Common	No
Denmark	Expected	—	Expected	No
Estonia	Optional	1–2 pages	Expected	Before interview
Latvia	Optional	1–2 pages	Common	In the job ad
Lithuania	Optional	1–2 pages	Common	In the job ad
Poland	Optional	1–2 pages	Common	Before interview
Czechia	Common	1–2 pages	Common	No
Slovakia	Optional^†	1–2 pages	Common	In the job ad
Hungary	—	1–2 pages	Common	No
Romania	Common	1–2 pages	Optional	No
Bulgaria	—	—	Expected	No
Croatia	Optional	1–2 pages	Common	No
Slovenia	Common	1–2 pages	Expected	No
Serbia	Optional	1–2 pages	—	—
Greece	Optional	1–2 pages	Expected	From 1 Nov 2026

^† Sources disagree; the country's note explains how.

Three things CV guides often get wrong

"Italian CVs must include a privacy consent clause"

EURES says they must, and most Italian CVs still end with an authorisation to process personal data. But article 111-bis of Italy's Privacy Code, added in 2018, says consent is not required for a CV sent unsolicited to apply for a job. The clause is a habit, not a legal requirement.

"French employers must accept anonymous CVs"

A 2006 law made anonymous CVs compulsory for companies with 50 or more employees, but the decree needed to apply it was never issued, and a 2015 law made them optional. No French employer is required to use them.

"Nordic CVs leave out personal details"

Denmark's official guidance says the opposite: it is normal to state your age, whether you are married and have children, and what you do in your spare time. What Danish law restricts is the employer, which may not ask for your age in the application.

Country by country

Every field for every country, with the note behind each value and links to the sources. Each country has its own anchor, so you can link straight to it: add #de, #fr, #ro and so on to this page's address.

Germany Lebenslauf

Photo: CommonEURES says a photo 'remains part of a job application in Germany' despite anonymity trends. It is legally voluntary under the AGG; TU Darmstadt calls it, as a rule, still customary.eures.europa.eu owl.tu-darmstadt.de
Date of birth: OptionalA university writing centre notes that under the AGG (General Equal Treatment Act) you need not give your date of birth; it is a contested item but still often included.owl.tu-darmstadt.de
Marital status: OptionalTU Darmstadt's writing centre lists it as a contested, optional personal detail.owl.tu-darmstadt.de
Nationality: OptionalTU Darmstadt's writing centre lists it as a contested, optional personal detail.owl.tu-darmstadt.de
Length: 1–2 pagesEURES: CV in table format, no more than two pages. A university guide notes that some advise 3-4 pages for experienced candidates.eures.europa.eu owl.tu-darmstadt.de
Cover letter: ExpectedA cover letter (Anschreiben) of at most one A4 side is a standard part of the application.eures.europa.eu
References: No official source foundGerman applications include written employer references and certificates (Arbeitszeugnisse) rather than referee contacts; no source found on listing referees.eures.europa.eu
Anonymous CVs: Voluntary schemes onlyNo statute or case law on anonymised applications, and they are not established in practice. The federal anti-discrimination agency ran a voluntary pilot in 2010-2011.bundestag.de
Anti-discrimination law: General Equal Treatment Act (AGG), 2006Act of 14 August 2006. Grounds: race or ethnic origin, sex, religion or belief, disability, age, sexual identity.gesetze-im-internet.de

Pay transparency

Pay for applicants: No obligationNo German rule in force: the current Pay Transparency Act (Entgelttransparenzgesetz, 2017) has no applicant-facing pay duty. The Directive is not yet transposed.iuslaboris.com trusaic.com
Ban on asking past pay: NoNo ban in force; one would come only with transposition.iuslaboris.com
EU Pay Transparency Directive: No bill yetNo draft bill published as of September/October 2026; there are unconfirmed reports of cabinet approval in October 2026. Entry into force is expected in 2027 at the earliest.bundestag.de iuslaboris.com trusaic.com bridgitpay.com
Legal basis: None in force (Entgelttransparenzgesetz revision expected)

Worth knowing

Sign and date the CV (place, date and signature at the end). eures.europa.eu owl.tu-darmstadt.de
Attach copies of qualifications, certificates and employer references (Zeugnisse); school certificates may be requested even from experienced applicants. eures.europa.eu
The photo goes either on a cover sheet of the application folder or top right on the CV. eures.europa.eu

Austria Lebenslauf

Photo: CommonAMS (Austria's public employment service): a photo is customary in German-speaking countries but not compulsory; no employer may insist on one. The Chamber of Labour (AK) advises adding one.ams.at arbeiterkammer.at
Date of birth: OptionalAMS (public employment service): date of birth, place of birth, marital status and nationality may be included; the choice is yours.ams.at
Marital status: OptionalAMS (public employment service): optional; marital status and children must not disadvantage an application.ams.at
Nationality: Optionalams.at
Length: 1–2 pagesChamber of Labour (AK): ideally one, at most two pages. AMS (public employment service): one to two A4 pages at most.arbeiterkammer.at ams.at
Cover letter: ExpectedA written application consists of a cover letter (Bewerbungsschreiben), CV and certificates.arbeiterkammer.at eures.europa.eu
References: Listed on the CVAMS (public employment service): references from a former job are important and should be mentioned. EURES lists copies of references as part of the application.ams.at eures.europa.eu
Anonymous CVs: Not usedNo legal basis for anonymised applications and no common employer practice (German Bundestag research service, 2024).bundestag.de
Anti-discrimination law: Equal Treatment Act (GlBG), 2004Federal Equal Treatment Act, BGBl. I Nr. 66/2004.ris.bka.gv.at

Pay transparency

Pay for applicants: Required in the job ad§ 9(2) GlBG: job ads must state the minimum pay under the collective agreement or statute, and whether more may be paid. This national rule predates the Directive.ris.bka.gv.at
Ban on asking past pay: NoNot in the current Equal Treatment Act; a ban would come with transposition (the draft is still in coalition coordination).bdo.at
EU Pay Transparency Directive: No bill yetThe ministry's draft went to coalition coordination on 6 June 2026; as of September-October 2026 no consultation draft had been published.bdo.at trusaic.com
Legal basis: GlBG § 9(2), as amended 2011ris.bka.gv.at

Worth knowing

Every job ad must state the minimum pay (collective-agreement or statutory) and any willingness to pay more: § 9(2) GlBG, in force since 1 March 2011. gleichbehandlungsanwaltschaft.gv.at wko.at arbeiterkammer.at
Applications include copies of school, training and employer certificates (Zeugnisse / Dienstzeugnisse). arbeiterkammer.at eures.europa.eu
Place, date and signature go on the CV if not already on the cover letter (AMS, the public employment service). ams.at

Switzerland Lebenslauf / CV (German); curriculum vitae (French, Italian)

Photo: CommonEURES: an application 'usually comprises a covering letter, a CV including a photograph'.eures.europa.eu biz.bkd.be.ch
Date of birth: Usually includedEURES lists date of birth among CV details, as does the Bern cantonal career centre (BIZ).eures.europa.eu biz.bkd.be.ch
Marital status: Usually includedThe Bern cantonal career centre lists civil status (Zivilstand) among personal details; EURES does not mention it.biz.bkd.be.ch
Nationality: Usually includedeures.europa.eu biz.bkd.be.ch
Length: 2 pagesSources disagreeSources conflict: EURES says no longer than two A4 pages; the Bern cantonal career centre says two to three pages at most.eures.europa.eu biz.bkd.be.ch
Cover letter: ExpectedEURES: typed, at most one A4 page; part of the usual application package.eures.europa.eu
References: On requestBern cantonal career centre: write 'on request' (Auf Anfrage) or give the referee's name, role, phone and email.biz.bkd.be.ch
Anonymous CVs: Not usedNo statute or case law; companies and authorities do not run anonymised procedures (German Bundestag research service, 2024).bundestag.de
Language: No official source foundNo official source found on which language to apply in.
Anti-discrimination law: Gender Equality Act (GlG, SR 151.1), 1995Federal Act of 24 March 1995. Bans sex discrimination, including via marital status, family situation or pregnancy, and expressly covers hiring (Art. 3). Covers sex only.sg.ch

Pay transparency

Pay for applicants: No obligationNo legal duty to publish pay in Swiss job ads (some firms do so voluntarily).jobs.ch
Ban on asking past pay: NoNo specific ban found.
EU Pay Transparency Directive: Not applicable (non-EU)Switzerland is outside the EU and the EEA.
Legal basis: None in force

Worth knowing

Great importance is attached to employment certificates (Arbeitszeugnisse) and diplomas; copies go with the application. eures.europa.eu
Unlike in Germany, a Bern career centre advises no date or signature on the CV; the cover letter is always signed (a digital signature is fine). biz.bkd.be.ch

Netherlands cv (curriculum vitae)

Photo: OptionalRadboud University: not mandatory in the Netherlands. Leiden University: 'becoming increasingly common'.ru.nl careerzone.universiteitleiden.nl
Date of birth: OptionalRadboud University lists date of birth as optional.ru.nl
Marital status: No official source foundNo official or university guidance found. Marital status is a protected ground under the Equal Treatment Act (AWGB).wetten.overheid.nl
Nationality: OptionalRadboud University: optional, 'only if relevant'.ru.nl
Length: 1–2 pagesEURES: normally two A4 pages at most. Radboud University: one to two pages.eures.europa.eu ru.nl
Cover letter: ExpectedEURES: a letter in Dutch on one A4 sheet; motivation is 'one of the most important selection criteria for Dutch employers'.eures.europa.eu
References: On requestLeiden University: it is common to write 'upon request'. EURES: references need not be attached.careerzone.universiteitleiden.nl eures.europa.eu
Anonymous CVs: Voluntary schemes onlyNo statute. Central government ran an anonymous-application pilot until September 2024. The Senate rejected the anonymous-application parts of a 2023 bill.bundestag.de
Anti-discrimination law: Equal Treatment Act (AWGB), 1994Act of 2 March 1994; covers job offers and hiring (Art. 5). Grounds include nationality and marital status. Age is covered by a separate act (WGBL).wetten.overheid.nl

Pay transparency

Pay for applicants: No obligationNothing in force yet; transposition bill 36949 is pending in the House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer).tweedekamer.nl
Ban on asking past pay: NoBill 36949 would ban asking applicants about previous salary, but it has not been adopted.tweedekamer.nl
EU Pay Transparency Directive: Bill or draftBill 36949 is before the House of Representatives, with a plenary debate slated for January 2027; the target entry into force of 1 January 2027 is now uncertain.tweedekamer.nl iuslaboris.com
Legal basis: None in force (bill 36949)tweedekamer.nl

Worth knowing

Do not attach certificates or references; bring them to the interview instead (EURES). eures.europa.eu

Belgium cv (Dutch); CV / curriculum vitae (French); Lebenslauf (German)

Photo: OptionalSources disagreeEURES advises no photo unless the job requires it or the employer asks. VDAB (Flemish public employment service): add one if the employer asks or if you want to.eures.europa.eu vdab.be
Date of birth: OptionalSources disagreeSources conflict: EURES says age need not be given; VDAB (Flemish public employment service) says to include date of birth in personal details.eures.europa.eu vdab.be
Marital status: OptionalEURES: no private details (age, nationality, marital status, gender) need be provided.eures.europa.eu
Nationality: OptionalEURES: no private details (age, nationality, marital status, gender) need be provided.eures.europa.eu
Length: 1–2 pagesVDAB (Flemish public employment service): try to fit everything on one to two pages.vdab.be
Cover letter: ExpectedEURES: write a separate cover letter tailored to each application.eures.europa.eu
References: No official source found
Anonymous CVs: Not usedNo legal rules or case law require it; most employers do not use anonymised procedures (German Bundestag research service, 2024).bundestag.de
Language: No official source foundNo official rule found on application language. EURES notes French in Wallonia and Brussels, Dutch in Flanders and Brussels, and German in the German-speaking Community.eures.europa.eu
Anti-discrimination law: Anti-Discrimination Law, 2007Law of 10 May 2007; covers job offers and selection criteria. Companion laws: the anti-racism law (1981) and the gender law (2007).ejustice.just.fgov.be unia.be

Pay transparency

Pay for applicants: No obligationNo federal rule for private-sector employers. Flemish and French Community decrees cover only their own public sectors.securex.be trusaic.com
Ban on asking past pay: NoNone for the private sector; regional public-sector decrees may differ.securex.be
EU Pay Transparency Directive: No bill yetNo federal draft published; Belgium asked the Commission for a six-month extension. Only partial regional transposition for the public sector (French Community, Flanders).securex.be trusaic.com bridgitpay.com
Legal basis: None in force (federal level)

Luxembourg CV / curriculum vitae

Photo: CommonEURES: 'The CV encloses usually a professional photograph'. ADEM (public employment service): not obligatory, but if included it must be perfect.eures.europa.eu maison-orientation.public.lu
Date of birth: OptionalADEM (public employment service) lists date of birth as optional; place of birth is unnecessary.maison-orientation.public.lu
Marital status: OptionalADEM (public employment service): optional, with no need to go into detail.maison-orientation.public.lu
Nationality: OptionalADEM (public employment service): optional; state that you hold a work permit where one is needed.maison-orientation.public.lu
Length: 1–2 pagesEURES: usually one or two pages. ADEM: two pages for highly qualified candidates or those with 10+ years' experience.eures.europa.eu maison-orientation.public.lu
Cover letter: ExpectedEURES: 'Applications should comprise an application or covering letter and a curriculum vitae'.eures.europa.eu
References: No official source found
Anonymous CVs: No official source found
Language: Language of the job ad; French for speculative applications; English at large multinationalseures.europa.eu
Anti-discrimination law: Equal Treatment Law of 28 November 2006 (Labour Code art. L.251-1 ff.)Transposes EU Directives 2000/43 and 2000/78; covers access to employment, including selection criteria. Grounds: religion, disability, age, sexual orientation, race or ethnicity.mega.public.lu

Pay transparency

Pay for applicants: No obligationNo rule in force; no transposition bill filed.paperjam.lu
Ban on asking past pay: Nopaperjam.lu
EU Pay Transparency Directive: No bill yetA preliminary draft has been at the Ministry of Labour since late 2025; no bill had been filed with the Chamber of Deputies as of mid-June 2026.castegnaro.lu paperjam.lu trusaic.com
Legal basis: None in force

Worth knowing

Declared language skills must be accurate: EURES warns they will be checked. Multilingualism (French, German, Luxembourgish, English) is highly valued. eures.europa.eu

France CV (curriculum vitae); cover letter = lettre de motivation

Photo: OptionalCivil-service jobs portal choisirleservicepublic.gouv.fr: 'No, it is not compulsory'. Recommended for creative or marketing roles; optional or even discouraged for technical or formal ones.choisirleservicepublic.gouv.fr
Date of birth: OptionalEURES: 'Marital status, age and nationality (if you are national from the European Economic Area) are optional.'eures.europa.eu
Marital status: OptionalEURES: marital status is optional.eures.europa.eu
Nationality: OptionalEURES: optional for nationals of the European Economic Area; the guidance is silent on other applicants.eures.europa.eu
Length: 1–2 pagesEURES: the CV 'should be no more than two pages in length'.eures.europa.eu
Cover letter: ExpectedEURES lists the application letter (one page at most) alongside the CV as the standard application pack.eures.europa.eu
References: No official source foundEURES only advises having reference letters translated into French before moving; nothing on listing referees.
Anonymous CVs: Voluntary schemes onlyA 2006 law made anonymous CVs mandatory for firms with 50+ staff, but no implementing decree was issued; the law of 17 August 2015 (art. 48) made them optional.conseil-etat.fr
Anti-discrimination law: Labour Code, art. L1132-1Bars excluding anyone from recruitment on grounds such as age, family situation, physical appearance, surname or place of residence.francetravail.fr

Pay transparency

Pay for applicants: No obligationNo duty in force. A transposition bill before the Senate would require pay or a pay range before or at the start of recruitment.senat.fr blog.avocats.deloitte.fr
Ban on asking past pay: NoNo explicit ban; Labour Code art. L1221-6 only limits questions to those directly linked to assessing ability to do the job.code.travail.gouv.fr
EU Pay Transparency Directive: Bill or draftGovernment bill filed in the Senate on 10 September 2026 under the accelerated procedure. A vote is aimed for before the April-May 2027 presidential election; timing uncertain.senat.fr iuslaboris.com
Legal basis: None in force (projet de loi n° 944)senat.fr

Worth knowing

Anonymous CVs were made compulsory for firms with 50+ staff by a 2006 law that never took effect (no decree); since 2015 they are optional. conseil-etat.fr
French CVs usually carry a headline naming the target job (EURES example: 'TRILINGUAL SALES ASSISTANT') and give separate French reading, writing and speaking levels. eures.europa.eu
Recruitment discrimination based on surname, place of residence, bank domiciliation or ability to speak a language other than French is explicitly banned (L1132-1). francetravail.fr

United Kingdom CV

Photo: Not recommendedTransport for London: 'You don't need to include a photo'. University of Kent: 'UK CVs do not tend to include a photograph'. No official source forbids one.tfl.gov.uk student.kent.ac.uk
Date of birth: Leave it outNational Careers Service: 'You should not include your age, your date of birth...'nationalcareers.service.gov.uk
Marital status: Leave it outThe National Careers Service says not to include whether you are married.nationalcareers.service.gov.uk
Nationality: Leave it outThe National Careers Service says not to include your nationality.nationalcareers.service.gov.uk
Length: 1–2 pagesUniversity of Kent: 'A maximum of 2 sides of A4' (academic CVs longer). Transport for London: 'ideally no more than 2 pages'.student.kent.ac.uk tfl.gov.uk
Cover letter: ExpectedNational Careers Service: 'You should always include a cover letter when you apply for a job using a CV.'nationalcareers.service.gov.uk
References: On requestNational Careers Service: don't list referees' contact details; you can state 'references are available on request'. University of Kent: fine to omit unless the vacancy asks.nationalcareers.service.gov.uk student.kent.ac.uk
Anonymous CVs: Voluntary schemes onlyNo legal requirement found. The Civil Service committed in 2015 to name-blind recruitment below Senior Civil Service level; some large employers joined voluntarily.gov.uk
Anti-discrimination law: Equality Act 2010s.39 bars discrimination in the arrangements for deciding to whom to offer employment; age, marriage and race (including nationality) are protected characteristics.legislation.gov.uk

Pay transparency

Pay for applicants: No obligationNot mandatory. A government consultation, 'Equal pay and pay discrimination' (14 July-27 October 2026), proposes pay in adverts or in writing before interview.gov.uk personneltoday.com
Ban on asking past pay: NoNo ban in law; the 2026 consultation reportedly does not propose one.personneltoday.com
EU Pay Transparency Directive: Not applicable (non-EU)The UK is outside the EU. Whether the Directive applies to Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework is debated.
Legal basis: None in force (consultation stage)gov.uk

Ireland CV

Photo: Not recommendedEURES: a photograph is only needed 'if this is requested on the form'. South East Technological University (SETU) careers checklist: no photo.eures.europa.eu setu.ie
Date of birth: Leave it outSETU careers checklist: do not include date of birth, marital status, nationality or gender. gradireland: no need for date of birth.setu.ie gradireland.com
Marital status: Leave it outThe SETU careers checklist and gradireland both say leave it out.setu.ie gradireland.com
Nationality: Leave it outSETU careers checklist: do not include nationality, but do include visa status if applicable.setu.ie
Length: 1–2 pagesEURES: 'Your CV should be one to two pages long'. gradireland: do not exceed two. SETU allows up to 2-2.5 pages.eures.europa.eu gradireland.com
Cover letter: ExpectedEURES presents the letter of application (or an application form) as the standard first step towards an interview.eures.europa.eu
References: Listed on the CVSETU: give two referees' names, titles and contact details; gradireland: include names and contact details. EURES: copies of references go with the letter.setu.ie gradireland.com eures.europa.eu
Anonymous CVs: No official source found
Language: EnglishEURES asks you to list language skills 'especially if English is not your first language'. No source found on Irish-language requirements.eures.europa.eu
Anti-discrimination law: Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015Nine grounds, including gender, civil status, family status, age and race (including nationality).irishstatutebook.ie

Pay transparency

Pay for applicants: No obligationNot in force. A General Scheme (January 2025) proposed salary or range in job adverts; Ireland told the Commission it would miss the June 2026 deadline.lewissilkin.com trusaic.com
Ban on asking past pay: NoProposed in the 2025 General Scheme but not enacted.lewissilkin.com
EU Pay Transparency Directive: No bill yetNo transposing bill has been published. The planned Pay Transparency Bill is listed as 'heads in preparation' and is not a priority in the Autumn 2026 legislation programme.assets.gov.ie williamfry.com iuslaboris.com
Legal basis: None in force (planned Pay Transparency Bill)lewissilkin.com

Worth knowing

Hobbies and interests are a normal CV section: EURES notes 'Companies in Ireland like to get an idea of what you do outside work'. eures.europa.eu
Referees (typically two, e.g. one academic and one work) are listed on the CV with job titles and contact details, unlike the UK 'available on request' norm. setu.ie gradireland.com

Spain Currículum vítae (CV); cover letter = carta de presentación

Photo: OptionalEURES: 'not compulsory to attach a photograph, although this may be useful for some jobs'. Miguel Hernández University (2018) calls it highly advisable but not essential.eures.europa.eu observatorio.umh.es
Date of birth: No official source foundNo current official guidance found. A 2013 Complutense University guide treats it as a standard field but suggests omitting it if your age does not fit the job.
Marital status: No official source foundA 2013 Complutense University guide says to omit it if you think it may harm you; no current official source found.
Nationality: No official source foundA 2013 Complutense University guide: include it only if it works in your favour; no current official source found.
Length: 1–2 pagesEURES: ideally limited to 'two A4 pages'. Miguel Hernández University: two pages at most, one advisable.eures.europa.eu observatorio.umh.es
Cover letter: ExpectedEURES: 'both the letter and CV must be drafted in Spanish' and must relate directly to the advertised job.eures.europa.eu
References: No official source found
Anonymous CVs: Voluntary schemes onlyA government-led anonymous-CV project (July 2017) was joined by 63 companies and 15 other entities. No legal requirement found.sanidad.gob.es
Anti-discrimination law: Ley 15/2022 on equal treatment and non-discriminationArt. 9 covers access to employment; under art. 9.5 the employer may not ask job applicants about their health.boe.es

Pay transparency

Pay for applicants: No obligationNo rule in force. The 2026 draft Royal Decree reportedly omits pre-contract pay transparency for candidates.periscopiofiscalylegal.pwc.es
Ban on asking past pay: NoNot in force; PwC says the draft Royal Decree also omits the pay-history question ban.periscopiofiscalylegal.pwc.es
EU Pay Transparency Directive: Bill or draftA draft Royal Decree amending RD 902/2020 went to public consultation in August 2026 (to 24 August); not adopted. It would be a partial transposition.iuslaboris.com trusaic.com periscopiofiscalylegal.pwc.es
Legal basis: None in force (draft Royal Decree amending RD 902/2020)periscopiofiscalylegal.pwc.es

Worth knowing

By law (Ley 15/2022, art. 9.5) an employer may not ask a job applicant about their health. boe.es
Unless the ad says otherwise, the CV and letter should be in Spanish; copies of diplomas are not attached unless expressly requested. eures.europa.eu

Portugal Curriculum vitae (CV) / currículo

Photo: CommonEURES: 'The inclusion of a photograph is often appreciated.' University of Lisbon: not obligatory unless requested; a personal choice.eures.europa.eu ciencias.ulisboa.pt
Date of birth: No official source found
Marital status: No official source found
Nationality: No official source found
Length: 1–2 pagesEURES: a Portuguese CV runs to one or two pages, generally in reverse chronological order.eures.europa.eu
Cover letter: CommonEURES: letters are short (one A4 page at most) and 'increasingly being replaced by the text in the email to which the CV is attached'.eures.europa.eu
References: On requestEURES: recommendations from former employers should only be presented when the interviewer asks.eures.europa.eu
Anonymous CVs: No official source found
Anti-discrimination law: Labour Code (Lei 7/2009), arts. 17 and 24Art. 24: equal access for candidates regardless of age, marital status, family situation, nationality, etc. Art. 17: no demands for private-life, health or pregnancy information.dre.pt informador.pt

Pay transparency

Pay for applicants: No obligationNot in force. A draft bill would require starting pay or a range before the contract is concluded (deliberately not in the ad or before interview).mlgts.pt
Ban on asking past pay: NoNo ban in force; the draft bill is still only a proposal.mlgts.pt
EU Pay Transparency Directive: Bill or draftDraft government bill (partial transposition) published 5 August 2026; consultation ended 25 August 2026. No sign yet of submission to Parliament.mlgts.pt iuslaboris.com
Legal basis: None in force (draft bill amending Law 60/2018)mlgts.pt

Worth knowing

If you don't speak Portuguese, EURES says you can write your CV in English. eures.europa.eu
University of Lisbon careers guidance advises dating and signing your CV. ciencias.ulisboa.pt

Italy Curriculum vitae (CV); cover letter = lettera di presentazione / lettera motivazionale

Photo: OptionalEURES: 'Unless specifically requested, there is no need to attach a photograph'.eures.europa.eu
Date of birth: No official source found
Marital status: No official source found
Nationality: No official source found
Length: No official source found
Cover letter: CommonEURES: 'The cover letter or motivation letter is used to personalise your application'.eures.europa.eu
References: On requestEURES: no need to attach documents on qualifications, certificates or references unless specifically requested.eures.europa.eu
Anonymous CVs: No official source found
Anti-discrimination law: Legislative Decree 216/2003Implements Directive 2000/78/EC: equal treatment in employment and working conditions regardless of religion, belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.gazzettaufficiale.it

Pay transparency

Pay for applicants: Required in the job adArt. 5(1): the starting pay or range and the relevant collective-agreement terms must be given in the notices advertising the job.dirittobancario.it
Ban on asking past pay: YesArt. 5(2): candidates may not be asked their current or previous pay, nor may it be obtained indirectly, including via recruiters.dirittobancario.it
EU Pay Transparency Directive: TransposedLegislative Decree 96/2026, published in the Official Gazette on 1 June 2026, in force 7 June 2026; ministerial decrees on reporting are pending.dirittobancario.it iuslaboris.com
Legal basis: Legislative Decree 96/2026, art. 5dirittobancario.it

Worth knowing

CVs traditionally end with a data-processing authorisation; EURES says CVs 'must contain' it, but art. 111-bis of the Privacy Code (2018) says consent is not needed for unsolicited CVs. eures.europa.eu brocardi.it
Public-competition (concorso) notices may require the CV to be self-certified under DPR 445/2000 (a sworn self-declaration), e.g. ISPRA 2021. isprambiente.gov.it

Iceland Ferilskrá (CV); kynningarbréf (cover letter)

Photo: CommonVR (Iceland's largest union): 'It is customary in Iceland to insert a photograph in the CV'.vr.is
Date of birth: No official source foundVR (Iceland's largest union) recommends listing the ID number (kennitala), which encodes date of birth; no source discusses date of birth as such.
Marital status: OptionalVR (Iceland's largest union): 'it is not necessary to indicate marital status or number of children'; too much personal detail should be avoided.vr.is
Nationality: No official source found
Length: 1–2 pagesDirectorate of Labour: 'The length of a CV is usually 1 to 2 pages.' VR (Iceland's largest union) says the same.island.is vr.is
Cover letter: CommonEURES: 'A concise and informative CV including a cover letter is of the greatest importance'. VR says a letter suits mainly specialist jobs; half a page to one page.eures.europa.eu vr.is
References: Listed on the CVThe Directorate of Labour lists referees (name, title, phone, email) as a CV section; VR (Iceland's largest union): employers commonly request 2-3 referees.island.is vr.is
Anonymous CVs: No official source found
Anti-discrimination law: Act on Equal Treatment on the Labour Market, No. 86/2018Named by EURES as the main protection against labour-market discrimination; an official English translation is published by the Prime Minister's Office.iceida.is eures.europa.eu

Pay transparency

Pay for applicants: No official source foundNo source found stating any statutory duty to give applicants pay information.
Ban on asking past pay: No official source foundNo source found either way.
EU Pay Transparency Directive: Not applicable (non-EU)Iceland is in the EEA, not the EU, and the Directive is not yet in the EEA Agreement. Act 53/2026 (in force 1 Sep 2026) replaced equal-pay certification with 3-yearly pay-gap reporting.trusaic.com
Legal basis: No official source foundAct No. 53/2026 amends Gender Equality Act 150/2020, but only on pay-gap reporting. No applicant-facing pay rule was found.trusaic.com

Worth knowing

Referees should not be family members or friends; always ask the referee's permission first. Written reference letters are rarely used; employers phone referees. island.is vr.is
VR (Iceland's largest union) advises listing your national ID number (kennitala) with name and contact details at the top of the CV. vr.is

Norway CV; søknad (application letter)

Photo: Optionalutdanning.no (Directorate for Higher Education and Skills): including a photo is voluntary. NTNU (university): photos have become more common but are not required.utdanning.no ntnu.no
Date of birth: Usually includedutdanning.no lists name, address, phone, mobile, email and date of birth as personal details; NTNU (university) says the same.utdanning.no ntnu.no
Marital status: No official source foundNot mentioned by official or university guides.
Nationality: No official source foundNot mentioned by official or university guides.
Length: 1–2 pagesutdanning.no: two pages at most. NTNU (university): keep within two pages.utdanning.no ntnu.no
Cover letter: CommonEURES lists the cover letter as part of a typical application but notes 'Some employers are choosing to move away from the use of cover letters.'eures.europa.eu
References: On requestutdanning.no: no need to put referees on the CV unless the ad asks; employers usually ask for them after the interview. NTNU (university) allows either.utdanning.no ntnu.no
Anonymous CVs: No official source found
Anti-discrimination law: Equality and Anti-Discrimination Act 2017 (LOV-2017-06-16-51)lovdata.no

Pay transparency

Pay for applicants: No official source foundNo statutory rule found. Simployer (June 2026) says the Directive has created no new duties in Norway yet, but does not address existing national law.simployer.com
Ban on asking past pay: No official source foundNo source found either way.
EU Pay Transparency Directive: Not applicable (non-EU)Norway is in the EEA, not the EU. Per the government's November 2025 update (cited by Simployer), the Directive is not yet in the EEA Agreement, so the 7 June 2026 deadline does not apply.simployer.com
Legal basis: No official source foundNo act containing an applicant pay rule identified.

Worth knowing

By law, employers may not seek information on pregnancy, plans to have children, religion, ethnicity, disability or sexual orientation during hiring, including at interview (§ 30). lovdata.no
Public-sector jobs: after the deadline the employer must publish a list of applicants (name, age, job title, municipality). You can ask to be left off, but it is not guaranteed. lovdata.no

Sweden CV (meritförteckning); personligt brev (cover letter)

Photo: OptionalArbetsförmedlingen (Swedish Public Employment Service) writes 'if you send a photo…' and offers CV templates both with and without a photo field.arbetsformedlingen.se
Date of birth: Usually includedEURES lists personal details as 'name, address, telephone number, email address, date of birth and possibly nationality'.eures.europa.eu
Marital status: No official source foundNot mentioned by EURES or Arbetsförmedlingen (Swedish Public Employment Service).
Nationality: OptionalEURES: personal details include date of birth 'and possibly nationality'.eures.europa.eu
Length: 1–2 pagesArbetsförmedlingen (Swedish Public Employment Service): one to two pages is a good length for a CV. EURES: 'one to two pages'.arbetsformedlingen.se eures.europa.eu
Cover letter: ExpectedEURES: 'A written application consists of a personal letter and a CV'; the letter should be one A4 page at most.eures.europa.eu arbetsformedlingen.se
References: On requestEURES: 'References can be provided on request.' Arbetsförmedlingen (Swedish Public Employment Service) advises telling referees whenever you list them.eures.europa.eu arbetsformedlingen.se
Anonymous CVs: No official source foundGothenburg and several agencies trialled anonymous applications around 2004-2007 (IFAU reports); no source found on current practice.
Anti-discrimination law: Discrimination Act (SFS 2008:567)Ch. 2 § 1 covers anyone who enquires about or applies for work with the employer.riksdagen.se

Pay transparency

Pay for applicants: No obligationA January 2026 draft proposed a duty to tell applicants the starting pay or range, but the government shelved it. Almega: no new rules for companies until the Discrimination Act is amended.regeringen.se almega.se
Ban on asking past pay: No official source foundNo source found that explicitly addresses pay-history questions under current Swedish law.
EU Pay Transparency Directive: Bill or draftA draft (15 January 2026) was published, then shelved. On 26 March 2026 the government said it will not submit a bill and seeks postponement and renegotiation at EU level.regeringen.se do.se
Legal basis: None in force (shelved Discrimination Act amendments)regeringen.se

Worth knowing

Applications to public-sector employers are generally public documents (allmänna handlingar) under the principle of public access, even if sent to a recruitment firm acting for the employer. lagen.nu
The personal letter (personligt brev) should be at most one A4 page and should not repeat the CV. Enclose certificates only if the job ad asks for them. eures.europa.eu arbetsformedlingen.se

Finland Ansioluettelo / CV (Finnish); meritförteckning (Swedish); hakemus (application letter)

Photo: CommonEURES: 'You may add a photograph, but it is not mandatory' and it 'is quite common these days'. University of Turku: 'You should attach your own image to the CV.'eures.europa.eu sites.utu.fi
Date of birth: No official source foundEURES and the University of Turku omit it from the personal details they list; the only claims either way come from blogs and forums.
Marital status: No official source found
Nationality: No official source found
Length: 1–2 pagesEURES: 'it shouldn't exceed two pages of A4.'eures.europa.eu
Cover letter: CommonEURES and the University of Turku describe a one-page application letter as standard, but many employers use fixed online forms instead.eures.europa.eu sites.utu.fi
References: Listed on the CVEURES: 'The CV should include the name of two people who can provide a reference'; 'available on request' is an acceptable alternative.eures.europa.eu sites.utu.fi
Anonymous CVs: Voluntary schemes onlyVoluntary pilots by Helsinki (2020, then continued) and other municipalities (Espoo, Vaasa, Turku and others via Kuntarekry). Not required by law.yle.fi sites.utu.fi
Language: Finnish or Swedish as advertised; English common in international firmsEURES gives no general rule: English is common in international firms, but Finnish or Swedish widens options. Follow the language of the job ad.eures.europa.eu
Anti-discrimination law: Non-Discrimination Act 1325/2014EURES: discrimination when advertising a job and selecting employees is punishable. Gender is covered separately by the Act on Equality between Women and Men.finlex.fi eures.europa.eu

Pay transparency

Pay for applicants: No obligationNot in force. Bill HE 129/2026 vp would require the starting pay or range 'early enough before the job interview', planned from 2027.sss.fi
Ban on asking past pay: No official source foundNo source found on current law or on whether HE 129/2026 vp includes a ban.
EU Pay Transparency Directive: Bill or draftGovernment bill HE 129/2026 vp (amending the Equality Act) went to Parliament on 9 July 2026, for consideration in the autumn; entry into force is targeted for 1 January 2027.sss.fi trusaic.com
Legal basis: None in force (bill HE 129/2026 vp)sss.fi

Worth knowing

Attach copies of certificates only if the job advertisement asks for them. eures.europa.eu

Denmark CV; ansøgning (application/cover letter)

Photo: ExpectedWorkindenmark (official) says employers 'initially notice the picture and the profile text' and advises 'be sure to include a professional picture'.workindenmark.dk
Date of birth: Usually includedWorkindenmark: 'It is normal to include your age'. But since 2022 employers may not ask for age when you submit an application (§ 5(2)); volunteering it is still allowed.workindenmark.dk retsinformation.dk
Marital status: Usually includedWorkindenmark: 'It is normal to include your age, if you are married and have children, and what you like to do in your spare time.'workindenmark.dk
Nationality: No official source found
Length: No official source foundSources conflict: Jobindex gives 1-4 pages as a rule of thumb, 1-2 for newcomers, and elsewhere at least 2-3 pages. No official figure found.
Cover letter: ExpectedWorkindenmark: 'A cover letter is often just as important as a CV in Denmark'; tailor one to each position, one A4 page at most.workindenmark.dk eures.europa.eu
References: On requestSources disagreeSources conflict: the University of Southern Denmark careers service says think carefully before listing them and bring two to the interview; Jobindex recommends a references section.mitsdu.dk jobindex.dk
Anonymous CVs: No official source found
Anti-discrimination law: Forskelsbehandlingsloven, 1996 (consolidated 2024)§ 2 covers applicants; § 4 bars requesting data on race, religion, politics, sexual orientation or origin; § 5(2) bars asking applicants' age.retsinformation.dk

Pay transparency

Pay for applicants: No obligationNot in force. The Directive's rules come through a bill amending the Equal Pay Act, tabled in early October 2026, with entry into force on 1 March 2027.bm.dk danskerhverv.dk
Ban on asking past pay: No official source foundNo source found on current law.
EU Pay Transparency Directive: Bill or draftBill introduced in the Folketing (ministry news 6 October 2026; Dansk Erhverv: tabled 8 October). Entry into force moved from 1 January to 1 March 2027.bm.dk danskerhverv.dk
Legal basis: None in force (Equal Pay Act amending bill, October 2026)poulschmith.dk

Worth knowing

Employers may not request an applicant's age when an application is submitted, uploaded or typed in (§ 5(2)), so Danish application forms must not have age or birth-date fields. retsinformation.dk
Unlike most of the EU, the official guidance says it is normal to state age, marriage, children and leisure interests, e.g. as a final CV section. workindenmark.dk
Employers favour a 5-8 line profile text at the top of the CV, focused on how you match the job. workindenmark.dk

Estonia CV; motivatsioonikiri (motivation letter)

Photo: OptionalEURES: 'A photograph is not compulsory'; if used, a passport or portrait photo of about 5x6 cm, usually top right.eures.europa.eu
Date of birth: No official source foundNot in the EURES list of suggested personal details; no official source found.
Marital status: No official source found
Nationality: No official source found
Length: 1–2 pagesEURES: 'The CV should be no longer than two A4 pages', in 10-12 pt font.eures.europa.eu
Cover letter: ExpectedEURES: 'you generally have to provide the employer with your CV and a covering letter'; a motivation letter (one A4 page at most) is sometimes also required.eures.europa.eu
References: Listed on the CVEURES: 'You may also add references – this is not obligatory but may increase the candidate's chances'; if kept separate, bring them to the interview.eures.europa.eu
Anonymous CVs: No official source found
Anti-discrimination law: Equal Treatment Act, 2008 (in force 1 Jan 2009)Passed 11 December 2008, in force 1 January 2009. Gender is covered by the Gender Equality Act.riigiteataja.ee humanrights.ee

Pay transparency

Pay for applicants: Required before the interviewSince 13 July 2026, the employer must give the expected pay or pay range in writing before the first interview (e.g. in the ad or by email).maksumaksjad.ee maksumaksjad.ee
Ban on asking past pay: YesEmployers may not ask a candidate about their previous or current pay.maksumaksjad.ee maksumaksjad.ee
EU Pay Transparency Directive: TransposedPartial only: Parliament adopted Employment Contracts Act amendments 17 June 2026, in force 13 July 2026 (applicant pay info, pay-history ban, pay secrecy); reporting not yet transposed.maksumaksjad.ee trusaic.com
Legal basis: Employment Contracts Act amendment (RT I 03.07.2026)riigiteataja.ee

Worth knowing

State your desired salary on the CV if the job ad asks for it. eures.europa.eu
Larger companies may have their own CV format, published on their website. eures.europa.eu
The Equality Commissioner (2026, non-binding): language-skill requirements in job ads that the job does not justify breach equal treatment rules. volinik.ee

Latvia CV (dzīves apraksts)

Photo: OptionalEURES: 'It is up to you whether to include a photo'; some employers request one, mainly for customer-service roles.eures.europa.eu
Date of birth: No official source foundLV portāls (2013) says the personal ID code need not be shown and the birth year is enough; no current source.lvportals.lv
Marital status: Leave it outLV portāls: a CV should not contain potentially discriminatory information such as marital status or number of children; Labour Law s.33 bars interview questions on it.lvportals.lv likumi.lv
Nationality: No official source found
Length: 1–2 pagesEURES: 'Your CV should not be longer than two pages.'eures.europa.eu
Cover letter: CommonEURES: employers often ask for one, especially for higher-level positions.eures.europa.eu
References: No official source found
Anonymous CVs: No official source found
Anti-discrimination law: Labour Law (Darba likums), 2001, ss. 7, 29, 32, 33Section 33 bars interview questions unrelated to the work, including on pregnancy, marital or family status, religion, and national or ethnic origin.likumi.lv

Pay transparency

Pay for applicants: Required in the job adLabour Law s.32(3): the job ad must state the pay range (gross monthly or annual salary, or hourly rate). In force since 28 November 2018.likumi.lv lvportals.lv
Ban on asking past pay: NoNot in current law: the list of prohibited interview questions in Labour Law s.33(2) does not include pay history. A future pay transparency law may add a ban.likumi.lv
EU Pay Transparency Directive: Bill or draftThe Ministry of Welfare published a draft standalone Pay Transparency Law on 26 March 2026. It was still in coordination in July 2026; no adoption by Parliament (Saeima) found.sorainen.com diena.lv
Legal basis: Labour Law, s.32(3)(2)likumi.lv

Worth knowing

Job ads must state the gross monthly or yearly pay, or the hourly rate range, for the position (Labour Law Section 32(3)). likumi.lv
Applications are usually sent by email or made by phoning the employer; seasonal and low-skilled jobs can usually be applied for by phone. eures.europa.eu

Lithuania gyvenimo aprašymas (CV)

Photo: OptionalLithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU) career guide: if a photo is included it must be businesslike, implying it is optional.lsmu.lt
Date of birth: No official source foundSources conflict: the LSMU university CV template includes date of birth, but Art. 16 of the Law on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men bars employers from requesting applicants' age.lsmu.lt lygybe.lt
Marital status: No official source foundNo source found on convention; Art. 16 of the Law on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men bars employers from requesting applicants' family status.lygybe.lt
Nationality: No official source found
Length: 1–2 pagesLSMU university career guide (aimed at students): one page recommended, up to two in exceptional cases.lsmu.lt
Cover letter: CommonEURES: jobseekers submit a CV and a covering letter (one A4 page); manual-work roles often need only a CV and/or an interview.eures.europa.eu
References: Listed on the CVEURES: the CV must include references, i.e. contact details of people who can give good references.eures.europa.eu
Anonymous CVs: No official source found
Anti-discrimination law: Law on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men (1998), Art. 16; Equal Opportunities Law (2003)Art. 16 bars requesting job seekers' family status, age, private life or family plans (as applied by the Equal Opportunities Ombudsperson, 2022).e-seimas.lrs.lt lygybe.lt

Pay transparency

Pay for applicants: Required in the job adJob ads must state the base pay or pay range, gross or net, a rule in place since 27 July 2019. The 2026 amendment keeps it.iuslaboris.com sorainen.com
Ban on asking past pay: YesFrom 7 June 2026, employers may not ask applicants about current or previous pay (Labour Code amendment).sorainen.com cleira.eu
EU Pay Transparency Directive: TransposedLabour Code amendment (reported as Law XV-969, adopted 21 May 2026) in force 7 June 2026. Right-to-information, Sodra data and reporting duties are deferred to 1 January 2027.sorainen.com cleira.eu trusaic.com
Legal basis: Labour Code, as amended by Law XV-969 (2026)The pay-in-ad rule is reportedly in Art. 25 of the Labour Code.cleira.eu

Worth knowing

Since 27 July 2019 every job ad must state the proposed base salary or salary range (Labour Code amendment); bonuses may be listed only if clearly separated. iuslaboris.com

Poland CV (życiorys)

Photo: OptionalPolish law does not regulate CV photos; an employer demanding one would not comply with the rules, and the choice is the candidate's (Zielona Linia, 2019).zielonalinia.gov.pl
Date of birth: OptionalNot required on the CV, but Labour Code art. 22¹ §1 lets the employer require an applicant's date of birth, so it is often asked for anyway.rocketjobs.pl standardyprawa.pl
Marital status: Leave it outNot in the closed list of data an employer may require (Labour Code art. 22¹). Legal portal Infor (2009) calls it unnecessary and says requiring it is discriminatory.infor.pl standardyprawa.pl
Nationality: OptionalInfor (2009) says citizenship need not be written on the CV; it is not in the art. 22¹ list of data employers may require.infor.pl standardyprawa.pl
Length: 1–2 pagesEURES: 'one, maximum two A4 pages'.eures.europa.eu
Cover letter: CommonEURES: employers typically ask for a CV and a cover letter, usually one A4 page and signed by hand.eures.europa.eu
References: No official source found
Anonymous CVs: No official source found
Anti-discrimination law: Labour Code, 1974, arts. 11³, 18³ᵃ–18³ᵉ, 22¹Art. 22¹ §1 limits applicant data to name, date of birth, contact details, education, qualifications and employment history (excluding pay history since December 2025).standardyprawa.pl dziennikustaw.gov.pl

Pay transparency

Pay for applicants: Required before the interviewLabour Code art. 18³ᶜᵃ: the candidate gets the starting pay or range in the job ad, before the interview, or before the contract if there is no interview.api.sejm.gov.pl
Ban on asking past pay: YesLabour Code art. 22¹ §1 pt 6, as amended: employment history may be requested, but not pay in current and previous jobs.api.sejm.gov.pl
EU Pay Transparency Directive: TransposedPartial only: recruitment rules in force since 24 December 2025. The full-transposition draft UC127 (29 April 2026) is still at government stage, not in the Sejm; the ministry expects 2027.api.sejm.gov.pl kadry.infor.pl
Legal basis: Labour Code amendment of 4 June 2025 (Dz.U. 2025 poz. 807)api.sejm.gov.pl

Worth knowing

CVs customarily end with a signed clause consenting to processing of personal data for recruitment (citing GDPR); EURES and the state Zielona Linia service both advise including it. eures.europa.eu zielonalinia.gov.pl
Since 24 Dec 2025 employers must give applicants the starting pay or pay range (in the ad or before the interview) and may not ask about current or past pay (Labour Code art. 18³ᶜᵃ, 22¹). dziennikustaw.gov.pl

Czechia životopis (CV)

Photo: CommonA Jobs.cz guide (republished by Masaryk University) says roughly half of applicants attach a photo; no rule requires one.pharm.muni.cz jenprace.cz
Date of birth: OptionalEURES: you 'may – but do not have to – state your date of birth and nationality'.eures.europa.eu
Marital status: Leave it outGuides say there is no need to state marital status or the number or age of children; Labour Code §316(4) bars employers from seeking information on family circumstances.jenprace.cz pharm.muni.cz
Nationality: OptionalEURES: optional. Jobs.cz guide: citizenship is customarily added but optional. Employment Act §12(2) bars employers from asking about ethnic nationality (národnost).eures.europa.eu pharm.muni.cz
Length: 1–2 pagesJobs.cz guide: one or two pages. Jenprace: one page ideal, two at most.pharm.muni.cz jenprace.cz
Cover letter: CommonEURES: 'The most common way of applying for a job is to send a CV accompanied by a cover letter.' Jobs.cz: some firms require a motivation letter, others accept a short one.eures.europa.eu pharm.muni.cz
References: Listed on the CVEURES lists a References section (names and contacts of previous employers) in the structured CV.eures.europa.eu
Anonymous CVs: No official source found
Anti-discrimination law: Employment Act 435/2004, §12(2); Anti-Discrimination Act 198/2009§12(2) bars employers, in selection, from requesting information on nationality, ethnic origin, politics, union membership, religion, sexual orientation, or data not required by law.zakonyprolidi.cz zakonyprolidi.cz

Pay transparency

Pay for applicants: No obligationNot in current law. Bill tisk 300 would require disclosing the minimum offered pay before the contract at the latest; ranges in ads not required. Planned from 1 January 2027.arecenze.cz psp.cz
Ban on asking past pay: NoCurrent law does not ban the question. Bill tisk 300, now in parliament, would add the ban to the Labour Code (s. 30(2)) from 1 January 2027. The 2025 amendment only banned pay-secrecy clauses.zakonyprolidi.cz psp.cz psp.cz
EU Pay Transparency Directive: Bill or draftApproved by the government on 31 August 2026 and submitted to the Chamber of Deputies on 8 September as tisk 300; first reading proposed from 13 October 2026. Main changes planned from 1 January 2027.psp.cz
Legal basis: None in force (Labour Code amendment bill, tisk 300)psp.cz

Worth knowing

Larger Czech employers may ask applicants to fill in a pre-printed questionnaire instead of (or alongside) a cover letter. eures.europa.eu

Slovakia životopis

Photo: OptionalSources disagreeSources conflict: EURES Slovakia says a photo 'is not a necessity' (general advice); a Trenčín University career guide recommends attaching one.eures.sk fsev.tnuni.sk
Date of birth: Usually includedTrenčín University career guide: 'don't be afraid to state it'. EURES Slovakia notes many countries omit it, but that is general advice for applying abroad.fsev.tnuni.sk
Marital status: Leave it outEURES Slovakia lists marital status among things that do not belong in a CV; the Trenčín University guide says to avoid it.eures.sk fsev.tnuni.sk
Nationality: No official source foundSources say to leave out ethnic nationality (národnosť); none addresses citizenship (štátna príslušnosť).eures.sk
Length: 1–2 pagesEURES Slovakia: 'ideally 1–2 pages'. (The EURES EU page's 'one A4 sheet' refers to the cover letter.)eures.sk
Cover letter: CommonEURES: 'The most common way of applying for a job is to send a cover letter and a CV'; it should be signed by hand.eures.europa.eu fsev.tnuni.sk
References: Listed on the CVTrenčín University career guide calls references a 'desirable part of the CV' (ask referees' consent first).fsev.tnuni.sk
Anonymous CVs: No official source found
Anti-discrimination law: Anti-Discrimination Act 365/2004Labour Code (311/2001) §41 also restricts what employers may ask applicants.slov-lex.sk

Pay transparency

Pay for applicants: Required in the job adSince 1 May 2018 job ads must state the base wage (a range is allowed). Act 76/2026 §4 adds starting pay or range and collective-agreement terms before the interview or contract.employment.gov.sk static.slov-lex.sk
Ban on asking past pay: YesAct 76/2026 §4(4): employers may not require an applicant's pay information from current or previous employers. Applies from 7 June 2026.static.slov-lex.sk
EU Pay Transparency Directive: TransposedAdopted 15 April 2026 and published 8 May 2026 as Act 76/2026 Coll., in force 7 June 2026.static.slov-lex.sk lewissilkin.com
Legal basis: Employment Services Act 5/2004, §62(2); Equal Pay Act 76/2026, §4static.slov-lex.sk static.slov-lex.sk

Worth knowing

Applicants attach a consent to processing of their personal data (citing data protection Act 18/2018) to the CV so employers can keep it in their database. eures.sk eures.europa.eu
Since 1 May 2018 every job offer must state the base wage, and the contract may not set base pay lower than advertised (§62(2) Employment Services Act; §41(10) Labour Code). employment.gov.sk

Hungary önéletrajz

Photo: No official source foundRequired in civil-service CVs (Government Decree 87/2019, Annex 1); the private-sector sources found were blogs and company pages with conflicting advice.njt.jog.gov.hu
Date of birth: No official source foundPlace and date of birth are required in civil-service CVs (Government Decree 87/2019); no reliable private-sector source.njt.jog.gov.hu
Marital status: No official source foundA required field in civil-service CVs (Government Decree 87/2019); no reliable private-sector source.njt.jog.gov.hu
Nationality: No official source foundCitizenship is a required field in civil-service CVs (Government Decree 87/2019); no reliable private-sector source.njt.jog.gov.hu
Length: 1–2 pagesEURES: CVs 'cannot be longer than one or two pages'.eures.europa.eu
Cover letter: CommonEURES describes the cover letter (one page at most, signed by hand if on paper) as part of the application; how often it is used is not stated.eures.europa.eu
References: Listed on the CVEURES: ask referees' permission before including their name, phone, position and company in your CV.eures.europa.eu
Anonymous CVs: No official source found
Anti-discrimination law: Equal Treatment Act (Act CXXV of 2003)Labour Code (Act I of 2012) §10(1) also limits employer data requests to what is relevant to the employment relationship.njt.jog.gov.hu njt.jog.gov.hu

Pay transparency

Pay for applicants: No obligationNo transposing law yet; law firms describe salary ranges in ads only as an expected future change.grantthornton.hu iuslaboris.com
Ban on asking past pay: NoNo specific statutory ban; a ban is described only as a possible future change under the Directive.grantthornton.hu
EU Pay Transparency Directive: No bill yetSources disagreeTrusaic (3 August 2026): no full draft published. Ius Laboris (30 September 2026): 'initial steps', with adoption planned for October 2026.trusaic.com iuslaboris.com
Legal basis: None in forceiuslaboris.com

Worth knowing

Applicants must always attach copies of documents proving required qualifications and language-exam certificates; the CV is written in Hungarian, plus English depending on the post. eures.europa.eu
Civil-service CVs follow a template set by Government Decree 87/2019 (Annex 1) requiring photo, birth name, mother's name, place and date of birth, marital status and citizenship. njt.jog.gov.hu kk.gov.hu

Romania CV (curriculum vitae); cover letter = scrisoare de intenție

Photo: CommonThe USAMV university career guide recommends a photo; the Bucharest University of Economic Studies (ASE) guide says add one 'if relevant'; EURES mentions a photo for unsolicited applications.consiliere.usamv.ro idifr.ase.ro eures.europa.eu
Date of birth: No official source foundAppears only as a field in the Europass template annexed to a university guide; no source on actual practice.
Marital status: Usually includedA Bucharest University of Economic Studies (ASE) guide, apparently from around 2011, lists nationality, citizenship and marital status as personal data in most CVs.idifr.ase.ro
Nationality: Usually includedThe same ASE university guide (around 2011): personal data in most CVs include nationality and citizenship.idifr.ase.ro
Length: 1–2 pagesBoth university career guides: two pages at most.idifr.ase.ro consiliere.usamv.ro
Cover letter: OptionalEURES: the usual way is a CV, 'which may be accompanied by a cover letter (maximum 1 page)'.eures.europa.eu
References: On requestASE university guide: do not include references in the CV; they are provided only on request.idifr.ase.ro
Anonymous CVs: No official source found
Anti-discrimination law: Ordinance 137/2000 on preventing and sanctioning discrimination (republished 2014)Art. 8 bans making a job conditional, via ads or competitions, on protected grounds. Labour Code (Law 53/2003) art. 5 also bans discrimination.legislatie.just.ro legislatie.just.ro

Pay transparency

Pay for applicants: No obligationNo pay-transparency law yet; bill L445/2026 would require starting pay or a range. Labour Code art. 17 only covers information to the selected candidate before signing.senat.ro blog.pwc.ro
Ban on asking past pay: NoNo statutory ban in force; the transposition bill is still in the Senate.senat.ro
EU Pay Transparency Directive: Bill or draftBill L445/2026 registered in the Senate on 17 June 2026 (urgent procedure), now in committees; tacit-adoption deadline 17 October 2026, then to the Chamber of Deputies.senat.ro trusaic.com
Legal basis: None in force (bill L445/2026)senat.ro

Worth knowing

The CV should be written in Romanian; if the job requires a foreign language, also submit a version in an international language. eures.europa.eu
Labour Code art. 29: the employer may only ask for information to assess fitness for the job, and may ask former employers only about duties and tenure, after notifying the candidate. legislatie.just.ro
Labour Code art. 27(4) prohibits requesting pregnancy tests at hiring; EURES notes psychological tests are compulsory for certain occupations. legislatie.just.ro eures.europa.eu

Bulgaria автобиография (CV)

Photo: No official source found
Date of birth: No official source foundThe law bars employers from asking about age before hiring (see quirks); no source on CV practice.
Marital status: No official source foundThe law bars employers from asking about marital status before hiring (see quirks); no source on CV practice.
Nationality: No official source found
Length: No official source found
Cover letter: ExpectedEURES: 'Employers usually ask for a brief cover letter to be submitted along with the CV'.eures.europa.eu
References: No official source foundEURES advises having references from previous employers ready as translated, authenticated documents; it is unclear whether they are listed on the CV.
Anonymous CVs: No official source found
Anti-discrimination law: Protection Against Discrimination Act, 2003 (in force 2004)kzd-nondiscrimination.com

Pay transparency

Pay for applicants: No obligationNot in force; a draft amendment to the Protection Against Discrimination Act would require base pay or a range before the interview (per consultation comments).strategy.bg innovires.com
Ban on asking past pay: NoNot in force; draft Art. 12(4) of the Protection Against Discrimination Act would ban requesting pay from current or previous employers.innovires.com
EU Pay Transparency Directive: Bill or draftLabour ministry draft in public consultation 19 May-18 June 2026; Ius Laboris says it was submitted to Parliament on 11 September 2026.strategy.bg iuslaboris.com
Legal basis: None in force (draft amendment to the Protection Against Discrimination Act)strategy.bg

Worth knowing

Protection Against Discrimination Act art. 12(2): before signing a contract the employer may not ask the candidate about protected traits, including age, marital status, citizenship and religion. kzd-nondiscrimination.com
EURES advises having education, experience and reference documents properly translated and authenticated for employers who request them after the CV. eures.europa.eu
Jobseekers registered with a labour office get a referral letter from the job intermediary to present to the employer. eures.europa.eu

Croatia životopis; cover letter = zamolba / molba

Photo: OptionalEURES: 'A photograph is not necessary, but you can always include a photograph'. A 2011 NGO guide says photos are not common in Croatia.eures.europa.eu cesi.hr
Date of birth: No official source found
Marital status: OptionalNGO guide (CESI, 2011): no need to state marital status or family situation; Labour Act art. 25 bars employers from asking for unrelated data.cesi.hr zakon.hr
Nationality: No official source foundPublic-sector applications require proof of nationality as a separate document (EURES).
Length: 1–2 pagesHZZ (Croatian Employment Service): the CV should be no longer than one to two pages.hzz.hr
Cover letter: CommonHZZ (Croatian Employment Service) gives guidance on the cover letter (zamolba, one page at most, signed); an NGO guide says larger employers mostly ask for a CV and zamolba.hzz.hr eures.europa.eu cesi.hr
References: Listed on the CVEURES: recommendations are not mandatory, but enclose them or referee contact details if you have them.eures.europa.eu cesi.hr
Anonymous CVs: No official source found
Anti-discrimination law: Anti-Discrimination Act (NN 85/08), 2008zakon.hr

Pay transparency

Pay for applicants: No obligationNo current requirement; salary disclosure to candidates is listed only as proposed under future transposition.talentup.io trusaic.com
Ban on asking past pay: NoNo existing ban; listed only as a future Directive obligation.trusaic.com
EU Pay Transparency Directive: No bill yetAs of early August 2026 no draft had been published and no public consultation held; Labour Act amendments are reportedly in preparation at the Ministry of Labour.talentup.io trusaic.com
Legal basis: None in force (Labour Act amendment expected)talentup.io

Worth knowing

Public-sector employers require an application form plus CV, diplomas, a certificate of no criminal record and proof of nationality and residence. eures.europa.eu
Labour Act art. 25: employers may not ask for data not directly related to the job, and the candidate need not answer; art. 30 bans asking about pregnancy. zakon.hr
The CV should be typed and in Croatian unless otherwise requested. eures.europa.eu

Slovenia življenjepis

Photo: CommonEURES Slovenia: 'It is also a good idea to include a suitable photograph.' This is a recommendation, not a measure of how common photos are.eures.europa.eu
Date of birth: No official source found
Marital status: No official source foundEmployers may not ask for marital or family status at hiring (Employment Relationships Act ZDR-1, art. 28; see quirks); no source on CV practice.
Nationality: No official source found
Length: 1–2 pagesEURES: 'between one and two pages for your CV' and up to one page for the cover letter.eures.europa.eu
Cover letter: ExpectedEURES: 'Apply for a vacancy by sending a cover letter and your CV.'eures.europa.eu
References: No official source foundEURES: do not attach original certificates or employment references to the application; bring them to the interview.
Anonymous CVs: No official source found
Anti-discrimination law: Protection Against Discrimination Act (ZVarD), 2016Art. 2 covers access to employment, including selection criteria. The Employment Relationships Act (ZDR-1, 2013) art. 28 restricts the data employers may request.uradni-list.si

Pay transparency

Pay for applicants: No obligationNot adopted. A draft would require base pay or a range to be given to candidates before employment; whether it must be in the ad is disputed.jadek-pensa.si
Ban on asking past pay: NoNot in force; the draft would bar employers from requesting a candidate's past pay.jadek-pensa.si
EU Pay Transparency Directive: Bill or draftSources disagreeThe ministry sent a draft equal-pay act to the Economic and Social Council in February 2026 (Jadek & Pensa, 9 June 2026); Trusaic says no official full draft has been published.jadek-pensa.si trusaic.com
Legal basis: None in force (draft equal-pay act)jadek-pensa.si

Worth knowing

ZDR-1 art. 28: employers may only request proof of meeting job requirements, not data on marital or family status, pregnancy or family planning. uradni-list.si
Write the application in Slovenian; employers may also accept other languages, most often English. eures.europa.eu
ZDR-1 art. 27: vacancies may not be advertised for men only or women only, except where sex is an essential requirement. uradni-list.si

Serbia radna biografija (CV)

Photo: OptionalNSZ (National Employment Service): you may add a photo (top right corner) if you look businesslike in it.nsz.gov.rs
Date of birth: No official source found
Marital status: No official source foundEmployers may not ask about marital or family status (Labour Law art. 26, see quirks); no source on CV practice.
Nationality: No official source found
Length: 1–2 pagesNSZ (National Employment Service): the CV should be no longer than two A4 pages.nsz.gov.rs
Cover letter: No official source found
References: No official source found
Anonymous CVs: No official source found
Anti-discrimination law: Law on the Prohibition of Discrimination (Sl. glasnik RS 22/2009)Art. 16 covers discrimination in employment, including against job seekers.paragraf.rs

Pay transparency

Pay for applicants: No official source foundNo Serbian rule found; regional sources say the Directive affects Serbia only indirectly, via multinationals.unija.com
Ban on asking past pay: No official source foundNo Serbian statutory ban.
EU Pay Transparency Directive: Not applicable (non-EU)Serbia is an EU candidate country, not a member; the Directive formally applies to EU member states only.unija.com
Legal basis: No official source found

Worth knowing

Labour Law art. 26: employers may not ask a candidate for data on family or marital status or family planning, nor require a pregnancy test (narrow health exceptions). paragraf.rs
Labour Law art. 26 also bars employers from making hiring conditional on signing an advance resignation. paragraf.rs

Greece βιογραφικό σημείωμα

Photo: OptionalUniversity of the Aegean career office: an optional field; include a photo only if the job ad asks for it.liaison.aegean.gr
Date of birth: OptionalUniversity of the Aegean guide: optional field. The Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB) career office lists date of birth among personal details.liaison.aegean.gr aueb.gr
Marital status: OptionalUniversity of the Aegean: optional field. AUEB (Athens University of Economics and Business): marital status is not necessary.liaison.aegean.gr aueb.gr
Nationality: OptionalBoth university career offices: optional, mainly for applications abroad.liaison.aegean.gr aueb.gr
Length: 1–2 pagesEURES: the CV 'should be short (1-2 pages)'. University of the Aegean guide: usually no more than two pages.eures.europa.eu liaison.aegean.gr
Cover letter: ExpectedEURES: the CV should be accompanied by a typed letter of no more than one page.eures.europa.eu
References: Listed on the CVEURES: two or three referees may be listed at the end of the CV with their details.eures.europa.eu
Anonymous CVs: No official source found
Anti-discrimination law: Law 4443/2016Covers access to employment, including selection criteria; grounds include age and family or social status.eif.uoc.gr

Pay transparency

Pay for applicants: Adopted, not yet in forceStarting pay or range and collective-agreement terms must be given in reasonable time before the interview (or before the contract if none); the ad is one allowed channel. Applies from 1 Nov 2026.taxheaven.gr
Ban on asking past pay: Adopted, not yet in forceThe employer, and anyone acting for it, may not ask applicants about their pay history. Applies from 1 November 2026.taxheaven.gr
EU Pay Transparency Directive: Adopted, not yet in forceLaw 5316/2026 published in the Government Gazette on 6 July 2026; arts. 8-20 and 27 (including applicant rules) apply from 1 November 2026 under art. 48(2).taxheaven.gr trusaic.com
Legal basis: Law 5316/2026, art. 9 (amending Labour Law Code art. 41)taxheaven.gr

Worth knowing

A typed cover letter should end with the applicant's handwritten signature. eures.europa.eu
Men may list their military service status among personal details (optional field). liaison.aegean.gr
Many Greek companies use their own application forms instead of CVs. eures.europa.eu

How to cite this study

Cvida (2026). CV rules in Europe: 30 countries compared. Cvida Studies, status as of October 12, 2026. https://cvida.io/studies/european-cv-rules

Photo on a CV: less expected than you think

Salary transparency: where employers must tell you the pay

The rules at a glance

Three things CV guides often get wrong

"Italian CVs must include a privacy consent clause"

"French employers must accept anonymous CVs"

"Nordic CVs leave out personal details"

Country by country

Germany Lebenslauf

Austria Lebenslauf

Switzerland Lebenslauf / CV (German); curriculum vitae (French, Italian)

Netherlands cv (curriculum vitae)

Belgium cv (Dutch); CV / curriculum vitae (French); Lebenslauf (German)

Luxembourg CV / curriculum vitae

France CV (curriculum vitae); cover letter = lettre de motivation

United Kingdom CV

Ireland CV

Spain Currículum vítae (CV); cover letter = carta de presentación

Portugal Curriculum vitae (CV) / currículo

Italy Curriculum vitae (CV); cover letter = lettera di presentazione / lettera motivazionale

Iceland Ferilskrá (CV); kynningarbréf (cover letter)

Norway CV; søknad (application letter)

Sweden CV (meritförteckning); personligt brev (cover letter)

Finland Ansioluettelo / CV (Finnish); meritförteckning (Swedish); hakemus (application letter)

Denmark CV; ansøgning (application/cover letter)

Estonia CV; motivatsioonikiri (motivation letter)

Latvia CV (dzīves apraksts)

Lithuania gyvenimo aprašymas (CV)

Poland CV (życiorys)

Czechia životopis (CV)

Slovakia životopis

Hungary önéletrajz

Romania CV (curriculum vitae); cover letter = scrisoare de intenție

Bulgaria автобиография (CV)

Croatia životopis; cover letter = zamolba / molba

Slovenia življenjepis

Serbia radna biografija (CV)

Greece βιογραφικό σημείωμα

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