For France: It takes about one month to get a long term work visa for if you have a job (the name is a trick, it's just one year). Then you can upgrade from ins

For France: It takes about one month to get a long term work visa for if you have a job (the name is a trick, it's just one year). Then you can upgrade from inside the country up to naturalization (it's a long journey, something like 10 years from first entry to passeport), you are not tied to your first employer after the visa is issued. There are some really disagreeable moments, when you have to go to the Prefecture, but I think the entire procedure is free* * actually you might have to pay to get some translations certified, or if you want a lawyer. I even know 2 Americans citizen who have a long term self employed permit. One detail: you can travel all over the Schengen Zone for tourism, but you still can work only in one country.