Hiring internationally is no longer reserved for multinational corporations. Whether it’s to access rare skills, reduce costs, or support rapid growth, many small and medium-sized businesses as well as startups are now turning to international recruitment.
However, hiring an employee in another country quickly raises a number of complex questions: Do you need to open a local entity? How can you comply with the tax and labor laws of that country? What are the best solutions to avoid legal risks or compliance errors?
Fortunately, there are several models available today that simplify these procedures: opening branches, contracting with freelancers, using an Employer of Record (EOR), or leveraging international employment outsourcing (also known as international umbrella employment) a hybrid solution especially well-suited for companies looking to hire quickly and legally, without setting up a local infrastructure.
In this article, we’ll explain these options in detail, review major trends in international hiring, and introduce key players in the industry with a focus on Talenteum, Breedj, Deel, Remote, and Oyster HR.
✅ International Employment Outsourcing: Hiring Without Creating a Local Entity
International employment outsourcing is an increasingly popular solution for companies that want to hire employees abroad without the need to establish a legal entity in the target country.
In this model, an outsourcing company (or EOR platform) officially hires the employee locally on behalf of the client company. It handles all administrative, legal, and payroll matters (contracts, social security contributions, taxes, insurance, etc.), while allowing the employee to work directly for the client company — as if they were part of its in-house team.
🎯 Benefits for the Company
- No need for a subsidiary: Test a market or hire in a new country without setting up a local legal entity.
- Guaranteed compliance: The outsourcing firm understands local laws and shields you from tax and legal risks.
- HR flexibility: Hire quickly for short-term or long-term projects.
- Time savings: Payroll, taxes, and admin paperwork are fully handled.
💼 Benefits for the Employee
- Secure employment: Local employment contract, social protection, health insurance, retirement benefits, etc.
- Autonomy: They stay in their home country but work for an international client.
- Admin support: The outsourcing firm supports them with all necessary formalities.
In short, international umbrella employment enables a company to onboard foreign talent as employees — without the legal and operational constraints of setting up a local entity. It’s a strategic tool for agile, global growth.
📊 Global Hiring Trends
International recruitment is accelerating rapidly, driven by several underlying trends:
1. The Rise of Remote Work
Since the 2020 pandemic, remote work has become a norm. In 2025, more and more companies are embracing a “remote-first” model to attract top talent whether they’re based in Paris, Dakar, Buenos Aires, or Hanoi.
2. Talent Shortages in Certain Sectors
Industries like tech, cybersecurity, engineering, and customer support are facing skill shortages in many European countries. Hiring abroad expands the talent pool.
3. Growth of EOR Platforms
Employer of Record solutions, which simplify legal international hiring, have grown significantly in recent years. They offer a fast, reliable alternative to setting up local branches.
4. Emerging Talent Hubs
Regions like Francophone Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America are becoming strategic recruitment hubs, thanks to their youthful populations, digital savviness, and competitive costs.
5. Digitalization of HR Processes
From video interviews to virtual onboarding, electronic signatures to online collaboration tools, companies can now recruit, integrate, and manage international employees entirely online.
🤝 Key Players in International Hiring: Deel, Remote, Oyster HR, Talenteum, Breedj
The global EOR and outsourcing market is now structured around several key players global or regional each with unique strengths.
Deel
A U.S.-based startup turned unicorn, Deel enables hiring employees or contractors in over 150 countries. Its strengths: an intuitive platform, integrated payroll, and global legal coverage. Deel targets large companies and fast-growing scale-ups managing global teams.
Remote
A direct competitor to Deel, Remote offers a secure and transparent EOR solution. The company owns legal entities in every country where it operates, ensuring strong compliance. It’s also known for its clear legal documentation and personalized support.
Oyster HR
Oyster is driven by a bold mission: “Equal opportunity for everyone, everywhere.” It emphasizes ethics, diversity, and global access to employment. Its platform supports hiring in over 180 countries and aims to simplify the process for HR teams.
Talenteum
A Mauritius-based company focused on the African continent, Talenteum is both an inclusion-oriented organization and a full-service HR partner for hiring in Africa. Its model is based on impact sourcing, connecting qualified professionals with companies while fostering local development. Talenteum assists French and European companies hiring remotely from countries like Madagascar, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Morocco.
Breedj
Born from Talenteum’s field expertise, Breedj is a digital platform for international employment outsourcing. Designed for SMEs and startups, it offers fixed monthly subscriptions, a simplified interface, and assured compliance. Breedj emphasizes autonomy in the recruitment process and fast integration of remote talent. Its “social bridging” mission: to connect talent with opportunities across borders.
A New Era for Global Hiring
Hiring employees abroad is not only feasible today it’s often strategic. In an environment shaped by a war for talent, rising wages, and new expectations (flexibility, purpose, work-life balance), companies must rethink their hiring strategies.
Thanks to international employment outsourcing and EOR platforms, it is now possible to:
- hire a developer in Tunis,
- a customer support expert in Dakar,
- or an administrative assistant in Antananarivo
…without opening a branch, without legal risks, and with a seamless HR experience.
Global players like Deel, Remote, and Oyster enable worldwide workforce management, while solutions like Talenteum and Breedj offer more targeted, human-centered approaches tailored to emerging markets.
The future of hiring is borderless more ethical, more tech-driven, and more accessible. For companies ready to take the leap, a new era begins: one of global, agile, and responsible work.
Contact us to discuss or discover our technology platform at www.breedj.com
