Remaining Restrictions on EU Expansion States End
April 5, 2011— Nationals of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia will soon be able to work freely throughout the European Union (EU) after transitional rules that allow established EU member countries to impose labor market restrictions on these nationals expire on April 30, 2011. Labor restrictions on nationals of Bulgaria and Romania, the two newest member states, will continue.
When the EU expanded to add ten countries in 2004, established member countries were able to limit access to their labor markets by nationals of the expansion countries for a maximum of seven years. EU member states largely declined to place restrictions on nationals of two of the expansion countries, Cyprus and Malta. Several members imposed work permit requirements and other barriers on nationals of the remaining eight countries. Most member countries have by now opened their labor markets for unrestricted access by nationals of these eight expansion countries, but Austria, Germany, and the United Kingdom continued to impose restrictions. Under remaining transitional measures, EU member countries are permitted to impose labor market restrictions on nationals of Bulgaria and Romania until December 31, 2013. At this time, ten EU members continue to do so for at least some workers from these two countries.
Effective May 1, 2011, the following changes will take place in these three countries after the last restrictions are lifted:
Austria: Nationals of the 2004 EU expansion countries will no longer have to obtain a work permit to engage in work activities in Austria. However, they must continue to file a work declaration with the KIAB (the Austria Authority for Control of Illegal Employment of Workers) seven calendar days before their work assignment in Austria begins, just as all other EU nationals must do. The KIAB will no longer forward the declaration to local labor authorities to issue a work permit.
Germany: Nationals of the 2004 EU expansion countries will no longer be required to obtain work permits to take up employment in Germany. They will be able to travel to Germany with a valid passport or national ID card and start working immediately without any further immigration documents. Nationals of the eight expansion countries should continue to obtain a Confirmation of Free Movement certificate from the relevant local authority with jurisdiction over their place of residence; the certificate serves as proof of the right to reside and work in Germany.
United Kingdom: Nationals of 2004 EU expansion countries will no longer be required to register in the Worker Registration Scheme; the U.K. Border Agency will formally close the Scheme on April 30, 2011. Starting May 1, nationals of the 2004 EU expansion countries will be treated like all other EU nationals, and will be able to live and work in the U.K. without applying for permission. They may obtain a residence permit if they would like evidence of their right to live, work, and study in the U.K., but the permit is not required. |
About AIReS
AIReS, which was named to the 2010 Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing independently owned businesses in the U.S., is in its 30th year of providing best-in-class relocation management services. With seven ISO registered U.S. offices and other strategically located employees located around the globe, AIReS is a recognized industry leader in delivering high quality relocation and assignment management services to leading corporations. The company boasts some of the industry’s highest annual customer-satisfaction scores and a client-retention rate of over 98%. For more information, please visit the AIReS website at www.aires.com. |
