Key takeaways
  • India and the EU concluded negotiations on 27 January 2026 and signed a separate mobility agreement at the summit.
  • European Council President António Costa said in late October that Prime Minister Modi will come to Brussels in December to sign the deal.
  • The deal covers temporary stays for business visitors, intra-company transferees, contractual service suppliers and independent professionals.
  • It does not replace the EU Blue Card or the Opportunity Card. Those remain the routes for most job seekers.

The India EU free trade agreement is one of the biggest trade deals either side has made. Many people ask me whether it makes it easier to get a job in Europe. The short answer: it helps some types of work travel, but it does not create a new job visa for individuals.

Where it stands

  • 27 January 2026: negotiations concluded at the India EU summit in New Delhi. A separate mobility and migration agreement was signed there (bne IntelliNews).
  • Late October 2026: European Council President António Costa said Prime Minister Modi will come to Brussels in December to sign the deal (Outlook India).
  • After signing: the deal still needs approval by the EU Council, the European Parliament and India before it takes effect.

What the mobility provisions cover

According to India's commerce ministry, the agreement sets rules for temporary entry and stay in four categories (Business Today):

  • Business visitors.
  • Intra-corporate transferees: employees of Indian companies established in the EU, with family members included.
  • Contractual service suppliers: access in 37 sub-sectors, including IT, business and professional services.
  • Independent professionals: 17 sub-sectors, including IT, research and higher education.

The two sides also agreed a framework to work towards social security agreements with all EU member states within five years.

What it means for job seekers

  • If you work for an Indian IT or services company with clients in Europe, transfers and project assignments may become more predictable once the deal is in force.
  • If you want a direct job with a European employer, the main routes stay the same: the EU Blue Card, national skilled worker permits, and the Opportunity Card.
  • Stronger trade usually means more European companies building teams in India and more Indian companies in Europe. Both create jobs for people with experience on both sides.

I will update this page after the signing in December.

Sources

Written by Swapnil (Samadhan Mule)

I moved to Germany for my master's, collected more than 1,000 rejections, and then got multiple job offers within six months. I work in digital marketing in Germany and help international professionals get hired in Europe. Read my story.