EORs are how most cross-border remote employment happens now, and the structure surprises people.
The structure
Your legal employer is the EOR, not the company you work for daily. Your payslip, leave and statutory contributions come from them. The company you work for is their client.
What to check
- Which entity is on the contract
- Notice period, and whether it survives the client ending the deal
- How leave and sick pay follow local law
- Whether benefits match what local employees get
The upside
You get proper local employment — leave, contributions, protections — from a company that could not otherwise hire you at all.
Common questions
Is an EOR the same as a staffing agency?
No. An agency finds you work. An EOR employs you on behalf of a company that already chose you.
Do I lose anything with an EOR?
Usually a little of the budget goes to the EOR's fee, which can mean a slightly lower salary than a direct hire.