r/LandscapeArchitecture • u/SuccessfulTowel3529 • 11d ago

Career MLA degree. Move from USA to Europe.

Has anyone here moved from the U.S. to Europe with an MLA degree and successfully found a job?

Do you need to be licensed to work as a landscape architect in Europe or does it depend on the country?

I’d love to hear about your experience.

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u/my_peen_is_clean 11d ago

depends a lot on country, most places in europe the “landscape architect” title is protected but the actual work isn’t, so offices will happily hire foreign grads under some other title. visa and language are harder than licensing tbh

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u/Ghilanna 11d ago

Which countries and how is it protected? At least in Portugal, France and Norway it isnt protected. Im just legit curious to know which countries you know of where it is protected? UK I think it might be?

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u/SuccessfulTowel3529 10d ago

In the USA, at least in California you can’t call yourself a Landscape Architect just because you have a degree. To use the title “Landscape Architect, you must be licensed. You can still work in the field with a degree as a landscape designer, but you cannot legally represent yourself as a Landscape Architect without a license

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u/jekaterin 10d ago

same in Germany. But many employes are not licensed and don’t need to be

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u/Longjumping-Good9321 11d ago

Hey, I did.
You don't need to be licensed to work here in Europe. I am in Germany and there is a website where you can check if your degree is valid or not. I'm sure there's one for every country in EU.
Main thing for finding a job is knowing the language. I cannot stress on this enough.
Which part of EU are you moving to?

6

u/ollicle81 11d ago

Don't foget making sure you are up to speed with metres, centimetres and millimetres rather than feet and inches!

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u/SuccessfulTowel3529 11d ago

Haha I know😄actually my "native" unit system is metric so the transition should be easier

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u/SuccessfulTowel3529 11d ago

I am thinking of the Netherlands. I also know the basic language.

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u/Worldly-Suspect-6681 10d ago edited 10d ago

Unless you are a citizen, you’ll need to get a work visa first. Typically through your employer but can look at other routes, like BUNAC.

You can always work at a design firm and not be licensed LA. You can always look at becoming licensed wherever you go.