Let me come here to spread some negativity on the subject.
The EU still has no shortage as long as very experienced rated pilots show up to assessments where they dont even pay your hotel, let alone a travel allowance, just to put you through bull*** psycho tests and questionaires and checking your bull*** tolerance. If you pass the initiation ritual, you will be offered a worthless contract that your employer will change as he pleases and which contains your obligations exclusively. If you happen to be non type rated, you will sign a totally overpriced training bond that makes you a complete slave for the next 3-5 years, even though you already faintly know how terrible the lifestyle is going to be - no matter the promises. You can look forward to do training for free in most companies, regardless of your prior experience, you are back to zero seniority. At some point someone starts to feel a little bit sorry and you will receive your first compensation usually from some offshore accounts - 100% untaxed and of course, tax is your own obligation after all, but the salary in gross is now less than you netted a decade prior on an employment contract in a real country. "Because we are a company based in "insert random tax haven" and we fly ACMI for the most horrible outfits worldwide in (insert shi**hole in north africa or the middle east) , we expect you to move to anywhere in your next roster period - no guarantees, we trust you understand the requirements of the business. For sure we will provide you a 3rd class hotel for the 3 weeks that you will stay away from your family, in which you will fly the maximum legal hours, if you still believe in the law, that is.
Story of my life