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02.11.2026 Ifenna Ekezie 805

International EAP for Businesses

Political crises and personal hardships do not stop at national borders. In its World Mental Health Report 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that more than one billion people worldwide live with a mental health condition. Among the contributing factors it cites are economic crises, disease outbreaks, humanitarian emergencies, displacement, and climate change. At the same time, the WHO emphasizes that mental health is also shaped by working conditions and the availability of support.  

For companies operating internationally, this raises a specific question: How can employees receive support quickly—regardless of language barriers or cultural differences?  

International EAP for Businesses

An international Employee Assistance Program (EAP) supports employees dealing with work-related and personal stress—even if they work outside of Germany. To this end, pme International connects a central point of contact and standardized contractual and reporting structures with local EAP partners. Depending on the country and their needs, employees receive multilingual, solution-oriented counseling and immediate psychological assistance around the clock. 

Read this post to find out

What is an international employee assistance program? 

An Employee Assistance Program, or EAP for short, is a support service for employees. It helps them address professional and personal challenges before stress becomes chronic or escalates into a crisis. An international EAP extends this service to employees in multiple countries. 

It is not enough to simply make a hotline based in Germany available worldwide. Counseling channels, language, local conditions, and appropriate points of contact vary. A viable international EAP therefore requires both reliable central coordination and on-the-ground expertise. 

"Companies with an international presence also bear international responsibility for the well-being of their employees. That is why an EAP must not stop at the national border." – Janina Krüger, International Key Account Management at pme 

What kinds of issues can an international EAP help with? 

The counseling services offered by pme International address both work-related and personal stressors, such as: 

  • Mental Stress and Acute Crises 
  • Conflicts in the workplace, such as bullying or role conflicts 
  • Relationship and Family Problems 
  • Traumatic Experiences and Psychosocial Emergencies 
  • Addiction and Dependence
  • Questions about parenting and child development 
  • Legal Issues Addressed with the Assistance of Experts and Attorneys 

A family should be understood as a system; therefore, family members are often allowed to use a global EAP as well. The counseling takes a solution-focused approach: Together, participants identify obstacles, develop next steps, and explore appropriate options in their respective countries. 


 

How does pme International work? 

pme International relies on a network model: Experienced EAP providers in various countries collaborate within a shared service ecosystem. Instead of a one-size-fits-all solution from a single global provider, pme combines local expertise with centralized management for the company. This allows services and consulting focus areas to be tailored to regional conditions.  

For HR, this means: a service agreement, reporting, and a single point of contact for multiple countries. Local implementation is coordinated directly with the relevant partner teams.  

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HR Info Webinar: How Does an International EAP Work?

Learn how an international EAP can support employees across national borders and how pme International operates.

🗓️ December 2, 2026 | 9:30–10:00 a.m.

Register for the webinar for free:How Does an International EAP Work?

Why Choose pme International for an International EAP? 

Benefits for HR and Companies

  • Centralized coordination across multiple countries: A service agreement and a reporting framework establish a common framework for the participating countries. 
  • A dedicated point of contact: A key account manager handles contractual and financial matters; on-site implementation can be coordinated directly with the respective partner teams. 
  • Local expertise instead of a one-size-fits-all solution: The partners contribute resources and knowledge of their respective regions. Common quality standards are combined with services tailored to regional needs. 

Benefits for Employees 

  • Quick help when you need it: The anonymous psychological hotline is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Employees receive confidential counseling from qualified professionals. 
  • Counseling in a familiar language: Through the network, support can generally be provided in the individual’s native language. 
  • Support tailored to your needs and circumstances: Local counseling services complement the hotline. This solution-oriented service addresses both work-related and personal stressors—from workplace conflicts to family crises. 

This means that support is not limited to the workforce at the German headquarters. It can also include employees at international locations—tailored to the specific locations and countries where the company operates.  

Request a quote from pme International 

Who are pme's international partners? 

pme International collaborates with EAP and employee wellbeing providers who bring regional expertise and local consulting resources to the table. The ecosystem includes European and global partners. 

The focus is on combining local expertise with a shared commitment to quality. When selecting partners, pme Familienservice looks for comparable qualifications and consulting processes. At the same time, services and areas of focus are adapted to the respective regional context and may therefore differ from pme standards. 

What should HR look for in an international EAP? 

An EAP covering multiple countries must not only be sound from a technical standpoint; it must also be feasible from an organizational perspective. Before making a selection, it is worth clarifying specific questions for each country.  

These questions make it easier to compare offerings and show whether a global EAP meets the needs of both local employees and HR management requirements:

  • Coverage: Which countries, locations, and employee groups are actually included? 
  • Access: How can employees access support—via a hotline, online counseling, or in-person consultations? What are the availability hours for each service? 
  • Language and Context: In which languages are counseling services provided, and what local factors influence the counseling process? 
  • Quality: What qualifications do the professionals have? How are common quality standards integrated with services tailored to regional needs? 
  • Confidentiality and Reporting: What information does HR receive in the reports, and how are confidentiality and data protection ensured during the consulting process? 
  • Responsibilities: Who is the primary point of contact for HR, and with whom will the rollout and local implementation be coordinated? 

What makes a good EAP provider?


 

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About pme International 

Is pme International available worldwide? 

Thanks to its ecosystem approach, pme International offers nearly global coverage. Please contact us with any inquiries regarding desired geographic coverage and EAP services. 

Is the counseling service available 24/7? 

The psychological crisis hotline is anonymous and available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Local counseling services vary by country and are organized through local partners.  

In which languages can employees receive counseling? 

Through our partner network, we can provide counseling in virtually any language. We will work with you directly to determine which languages and counseling formats are available in your country.  

What topics does the EAP cover? 

The services offered include, among other things, mental health issues, acute crises, workplace conflicts, relationship and family issues, traumatic experiences, addiction, parenting concerns, and legal matters.  

How is quality ensured across countries? 

pme selects partners based on comparable requirements regarding qualifications and consulting processes, as well as ISO certifications. At the same time, services and areas of focus may vary depending on the regional context. 

zero Business psychologist Vera Starker: "Hate is destructive - confidence is the exact opposite"

to see is the author Vera Starker
Psyche
14.03.2025 Isabel Hempel 19566

Business psychologist Vera Starker on confidence

Vera Starker is certain that confidence can help us shape our lives and society in a positive way, especially in uncertain times. In this interview, the Spiegel bestselling author talks about how confidence can act as a formative force in our society. She shares personal experiences and gives impulses on how we can remain optimistic in times of crisis and actively bring about positive change.

For me, "being courageous" means acting despite fears

"Courage to be confident" is a very powerful title. What inspired you personally to write a book that deals intensively with this topic?

Vera Starker: I am a confident person by nature. But last year, I realized that all the negative news was increasingly sapping my energy. This led me to take a closer look at the topic of confidence on a scientific level. 

For me, "being courageous" means acting despite fears. And confidence is the key to finding this courage. At a time when we are confronted with many uncertainties, we need the confidence to embrace positive change and take action.

In your book, you emphasize the transformative power of confidence. How do you see the role of confidence as a shaping force in our society?

Confidence has the potential to keep us capable of acting, even in the midst of crises. It enables us not to remain powerless, but to actively seek solutions to solve complex problems. 

Especially in the future, in a world full of challenges, the power of confidence will be crucial in order to continuously adapt and enable positive change. Without confidence, all we can do is hesitate - with confidence, we can create.

In your opinion, what is the first step that each of us can take to actively bring about positive change?

It is important to recognize where we can actually make an impact. Confidence arises above all when we have the feeling that we can make a difference. We should focus on the areas where we can make a direct difference instead of being overwhelmed by things that are beyond our reach. 

The next step is to set realistic goals that match our skills. If we set ourselves goals that are too high and cannot be achieved, we lose our sense of effectiveness. The power of confidence lies in remaining capable of action and bringing about positive change in the areas over which we have influence.

Hate is destructive - confidence is the exact opposite

In one chapter of your book, you deal intensively with the topic of hate. How can we as a society learn to overcome hate and what role does confidence play in bringing about positive change?

Vera Starker: Hate is destructive - confidence is the exact opposite. We have to decide whether we react to hate or rely on confidence. Confidence means clearly recognizing challenges and then looking for opportunities to act - even if they seem small at first. 

It is crucial to surround yourself with people who also have a constructive attitude and strive for positive change. Cohesion creates a force that enables us to move in a positive direction as a society.

Was there a personal moment in your life when "courage to be confident" played a decisive role for you? If so, could you tell us more about it?

Vera Starker: Yes, in my youth I had some very challenging human experiences that presented me with a difficult decision: Should these events define my life or could I overcome them? 

I decided to overcome them, which made me realize that there is always a way - no matter how small it may seem. However, sometimes it takes great courage not to give up and to keep going. 

This moment taught me that confidence doesn't mean closing your eyes to problems, but finding the courage to carry on despite everything.

Lectures, workshops, podcasts that promote our resilience

The "Lost in Space?" initiative invites us with openness and curiosity to explore new paths that give us support and direction in these intense times. Because finding solutions requires strength - and is only possible together. 

With inspiring talks, interactive workshops, podcasts and blog articles, we create space to find inner clarity and strength and remain resilient. Join us on an exciting journey to new perspectives and opportunities!

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Janina Krüger

Business customer support

Contact:

janina.krueger@familienservice.de