Where Motion Designers Are in Demand: A Look at Job Openings Across Europe in 2025

As a freelance motion designer working with clients across Europe, I often wonder how the job market is shifting — not just in general terms, but on the ground, country by country. So I decided to do a bit of digging.

I gathered fresh data on open motion designer positions across EU countries, as well as the UK and Switzerland. What I found was a surprisingly diverse landscape — not only in how many jobs are available, but also in how companies are structuring their roles: on-site, hybrid, or fully remote.

If you’re freelancing like me, looking for new clients, or even considering relocation, this overview might help you spot new opportunities — or avoid wasting time in the wrong places.

How I Collected the Data

I searched for “motion designer” (using quotes for exact matching) on LinkedIn only, in May 2025. The goal was to look at currently open job listings and sort them by working format:
- On-site (office-based)
- Hybrid (a mix of remote and in-office)
- Remote (fully location-independent)

The dataset covers EU member states, plus the United Kingdom and Switzerland.

Why This Data Tells a Story — But Not the Whole One

While LinkedIn is one of the most popular platforms for job listings and professional networking, it doesn't fully reflect the reality of how hiring happens across Europe. There are two key factors to keep in mind.

First, referrals are still one of the most powerful tools in recruitment. Many roles — especially the better ones — are filled through internal recommendations and never even make it to job boards. If you’re only looking at listings, you’re missing a huge part of the market.

Second, local platforms often matter more in smaller European countries. While LinkedIn has strong traction in places like the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands, other countries — think Slovenia, Croatia, or even parts of Scandinavia — rely on national job boards or niche industry sites to find talent. That means opportunities might exist even if they’re not visible here.

So take this dataset as a useful signal, not an absolute map. It points us toward where the demand seems to be growing — but building relationships, being visible in local communities, and asking for introductions still go a long way.

Breakdown of Job Openings by Country and Work Format

What the Numbers Say

Here’s a snapshot of what I found:

• France still sits on top with 40 open roles; almost half (19) expect you on-site, while only 5 are fully remote. 

• Germany follows at 39 vacancies — two-thirds (23) are office-based, but you’ll still find 7 remote spots if you look. 

• The United Kingdom offers 31 positions, and it’s notably hybrid-friendly: nearly one job in two lets you split time between home and studio. 

• Poland has surged to 20 listings, half of them remote — a big shift from last year’s office-first reputation. 

• Spain rounds out the top five with 16 openings spread evenly across all three formats. 

At the other extreme, Norway, Switzerland and several micro-markets show only one or two vacancies, nearly all insisting on physical presence. 

Remote vs Hybrid vs On-site: What’s Trending?

If you're aiming for remote roles (as many freelancers are), the differences between countries are significant.

Here’s what stood out:

Remote-friendly hotspots

Portugal, Lithuania and Poland stand out: in each country 50 – 67 % of roles are fully remote. Smaller markets like Estonia hit 100 % remote, but on a sample of just four jobs, so treat that with caution. 

Hybrid-heavy regions

The UK leads in absolute numbers (15 hybrid roles), while Belgium and Italy see roughly half of their listings mix home and office time. Hybrid is becoming the default compromise in these markets. 

Office-first hold-outs

Croatia (78 % on-site), Germany (59 %) and France (48 %) still lean strongly toward in-person work. If you’re targeting these countries, be ready to commute — or relocate.

Country Highlights

France – 40 vacancies, but only 5 remote. Great volume, tricky for nomads. 

Germany – 39 roles with a healthy 9 hybrid posts; Berlin and Munich remain motion-design magnets. 

United Kingdom – 31 openings and the best hybrid ratio in Europe; ideal if you want flexibility without leaving the EU time-zone. 

Poland – 20 jobs, 10 remote. Warsaw-based studios are hiring internationally and paying competitive Western-European rates. 

Portugal – Only 9 listings, but two-thirds are remote and English-friendly — a sweet spot for freelancers chasing sunshine.

What This Means If You’re Job-Hunting

Hunting remote-only? Put Portugal, Poland, Lithuania and Estonia at the top of your outreach list.

Happy with hybrid? The UK, Belgium and Italy offer the deepest hybrid pools right now.

Ready to relocate? France and Germany still post the highest raw numbers, but expect regular office time; line up visas and housing early.

Limited time? Skip Norway and Switzerland unless you already have contacts — listings there are scarce and office-centric.

Use these signals to prioritise prospecting, but remember: referrals and local boards still hide many of the best gigs. The numbers point the way; your network closes the deal. 

Final Thoughts

This research was partly driven by curiosity, partly by strategy. As freelancers, we often work in isolation, so having a macro view of the market can really help when planning your next steps.

What I’ve learned is this: the demand for motion designers is definitely there, but the conditions vary wildly across Europe. Some countries are embracing remote work, others are doubling down on the office. Your next opportunity might depend more on *where* you look than *what* you offer.

If you’ve seen similar trends — or something completely different — I’d love to hear from you.