In some countries you actually have a right to switch from full-time to part-time work. Your employer can block you but only if they have a really solid reason

In some countries you actually have a right to switch from full-time to part-time work. Your employer can block you but only if they have a really solid reason, and "we have to hire another person to make up the difference" won't fly. If you want to go the other way (back to full-time) your employer can say no. So -- if this is your long-term plan and you want to be employed you might consider going to such a country, and doing a year or so of full-time first. Anecdotally, I was seriously considering switching to half time pre-plague so I could do a PhD. Would have been trivial to get it approved, but I have a lot of seniority; you might have to fight for it if you're new. But at least in Germany, it's your right as a worker, not a privilege from your employer. I would expect it's like that in much of the EU.