CV conventions in Southern Europe

These 6 countries follow broadly the same CV conventions: a photo is common, date of birth is optional, 1–2 pages, and “references on request” is enough. The table below shows where individual countries differ.

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At a glance

CV conventions in Southern Europe
What it is called	Currículum vitae (usually written in Spanish or English)
Length	1–2 pages
Paper size	A4
Layout	Tabular, dates in a left column
Order	Most recent first
Dates	Month and year (e.g. Mar 2023)
Photo	Usually included
Date of birth	Optional
Nationality	Optional
Marital status	Optional
Right to work / visa status	Optional
References	“References available on request” is fine
Explain gaps longer than	6 months

Tips

A photo is common and often expected by smaller employers.
The Europass format is widely recognised, especially in the public sector.
List languages with CEFR levels (A1–C2).

Countries in this group

Country	Called	Usual language	Paper
Andorra	Currículum vitae	Spanish	A4
Cyprus	Curriculum Vitae	English	A4
Greece	Curriculum Vitae	English	A4
Malta	Curriculum Vitae	English	A4
Portugal	Curriculum Vitae	Portuguese	A4
Spain	Currículum vitae	Spanish	A4

Other regions

Guidance checked October 2026. General information for most employers, not legal or immigration advice. A job advert’s own instructions always come first. CV Atlas is not affiliated with any regulator or professional body named.