Effective application of freedom of movement and unjustified barriers in access to the labour market in the EU

The transitional arrangements on the free movement of workers from Romania and Bulgaria came to an end on 1st January 2014, lifting all potential restrictions in their access to labour market in the EU. While all Member States are bound by the obligations laid down in Directive 2004/38/EC on the right of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States, several obstacles remains to ensure and guarantee the effective application the fundamental freedom of movement for all EU citizens. Over the past months, several cases of limitations in access to public and private services for non-national residents in Member States have arised. A concrete example is the reported issues of Bulgarian workers being unable to open a bank account in Germany and the Netherlands, while such a process is very often a prerequisite to conclude an employment contract.

Is the Commission aware of current cases of limitations in access to services for Bulgarian workers established in another Member States, and which instruments are currently in place to monitor and address these cases?

Which actions the Commission is currently considering in order to ensure an effective application of freedom of movement for all EU citizens, and to lift any unjustified barriers in access to the labour market in the EU?

Тази публикация е достъпна и на следните езици: Bulgarian