As I understand it there is a simple test for self-employed status.
If you only have one employer, work in their office and are directed by them you are not self-employed.
A common way round the problem is to be employed through an agency, but these days the agency has to allow for paying sick pay and holiday money as well as VAT. It becomes very expensive. However if the E.U. has plenty of money, that is immaterial. The main benefit of this is that you can have a contract which can be terminated on either side without any notice.
I think if an employer consulted a tax accountant he would normally urge caution when considering taking somebody on as self-employed. Some people are prepared to look at it differently but if the tax-man cometh???
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