Companies in the United Kingdom and across Europe are stepping up international recruitment, with growing numbers of US-based professionals being hired into roles across the region.
Data from HR platform Deel shows a marked increase in overseas hiring from the United States in 2025, driven by persistent talent shortages – particularly in specialist areas such as AI, data science and accounting. Companies are looking beyond local markets to find qualified professionals and fill critical gaps that could affect growth and innovation.
According to Deel, the number of US workers being hired by UK companies rose by 11.5 percent between January and April 2025. This compares to growth of just 2.8 percent in the same period last year. Across Europe, US hires have risen 16.4 percent so far in 2025 – up from 3 percent in the previous year.
Meanwhile, data from jobs platform Indeed shows that interest in UK roles among US-based professionals has also surged. In the first quarter of 2025, clicks from US jobseekers on UK-based vacancies reached their highest level in nearly two years. This suggests that the increase in cross-border hiring is being met with growing interest from candidates.
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Demand for US talent grows in European markets
The trend is particularly visible in the technology and finance sectors, with European employers increasingly turning to US-based workers to address gaps in capability. Deel’s platform data indicates that 53.36 percent of US hires by European companies are at mid-level, while 16.18 percent are at senior and management levels respectively.
Outside the UK, the countries seeing the most interest from US professionals include Spain, Germany, the Netherlands and Canada. The hiring activity points to a growing acceptance of remote and distributed work arrangements as companies seek to build cross-border teams.
Nick Catino, Head of Global Policy at Deel, said, “We’re seeing a clear surge in demand for US talent across the UK and Europe, particularly in sectors like AI and financial services where local skill gaps are well known. With today’s global tools, it’s never been easier for businesses to hire internationally and for workers to access meaningful opportunities across borders. Companies that embrace this shift will be better positioned to fill critical roles and stay competitive.”
In Latin America and Asia-Pacific, there have been smaller but consistent increases. US hires in LATAM rose by 5.4 percent in early 2025, up from zero in 2024. In APAC, growth reached 6.5 percent this year, compared to 2.6 percent over the same period last year.
Remote hiring as a strategic tool to access talent
The expansion of remote working technology and global payroll solutions is enabling companies to extend their talent searches beyond domestic borders. For HR professionals, this presents both opportunities and operational challenges in managing international teams.
Matt Monette, Country Lead at Deel, told HR review, “Global competition for talent, especially in high-demand areas like AI, data science and finance, is only intensifying and will continue to drive the trends being seen in talent migration. UK and European businesses are under real pressure to innovate and deliver, and international hiring is one of the fastest, most effective ways to plug the prominent skills gap.
“Our recent data shows that many Americans are interested in moving and applying for more European-based roles. Looking ahead, cross-border teams and global hiring will become standard practice for businesses looking beyond their immediate vicinity to fill crucial roles. Forward-thinking companies know that top talent lives beyond a 30 mile radius around their office. With the right infrastructure in place, geography is no longer a barrier to hiring talent and these hiring opportunities will be huge for businesses that embrace this mindset.”
The latest data reinforces that hiring internationally is no longer limited to multinational corporations with a presence in multiple countries. With flexible digital infrastructure and access to global employment services, more organisations are turning to cross-border recruitment to meet their workforce needs.
Alessandra Pacelli is a journalist and author contributing to HRreview, an HR news and opinion publication, where she covers topics including labour market trends, employment costs, and workplace issues. She is a journalism graduate and self-described lifelong dog lover who has also written for Dogs Today magazine since 2014.
- Alessandra Pacelli
- Alessandra Pacelli
- Alessandra Pacelli
- Alessandra Pacelli
