Shifting Borders: The Dynamics of Intra-European Migration

Humanity has been on the move since the earliest times. While some people move to join family or to study, others move to escape persecution, terrorism, conflict, or human rights violations. However, perhaps the main reason people migrate is in search of economic opportunities.

Today, more people than ever live in a different country from where they were born. A recent survey found that the number of international migrants was approximately 272 million worldwide. This is a whopping fifty-one million more than in 2010.

And it’s not just international migration that’s popular. Over the last few years, we’ve seen an increase in intra-European migration. To find out what this is, why it is so popular, and about the dynamics of intra-European migration, keep reading below:

What is Intra-European Migration?

People who reside in the EU have a right to free movement. This means they can move freely from one EU country to another. Intra-European migration is the term used to describe the movement of EU citizens between EU countries.

Read more about

CMS expands its office space and extends on a long term its lease contract at One Tower

read more

What Are the Causes of Migration?

There are two categories of factors that can influence people to migrate:

• Push factors – these factors make continuing to live in a country less attractive. This includes things like having very few job opportunities, overcrowding, or political unrest.
• Pull factors – these make a country an attractive place to migrate to. This might be things like having friends or family who have already moved there, the benefits offered by certain countries, or because of better job prospects.

What Benefits Do European Countries Offer Migrants?

Most EU countries try to attract EU migrants by offering them benefits. If we take Malta as an example, it has introduced a competitive tax system for migrants. This system has many attractive features, including a refundable tax credit system, an entire imputation system, and an expanding international tax treaty network.

However, to get these benefits, migrants must qualify for tax residency in Malta. They can do this by enrolling on a tax residency programme or spending some time living in the country. The current rules state that anyone who lives more than 183 days in Malta automatically qualifies for tax residency here.

The Dynamics of Intra-European Migration

For many years now, social scientists have stated that a strong momentum characterizes migration: once a particular migration stream has begun, for whatever reason, it tends to grow over time.

Whatever the reason an EU citizen chooses to move from one country to another, as soon as these people have worked in a foreign setting, they are no longer the same person. Even if these people return home, they are more likely to migrate again. This is because while living and working abroad, people become accustomed to higher incomes, they adapt to new lifestyles, and alter their consumption patterns, all of which cannot be maintained through local work. This means additional trips abroad are necessary.

How Easy Is It to Migrate to Another EU Country?

Moving from one EU country to another is straightforward. You simply need to ensure you have all the correct documentation. If you plan on staying in another EU country for more than 90 days, you will be expected to apply for a residency permit or a long-stay visa. You may also need to apply for other documents if you plan on studying, working, or joining your family in another country.

 The Impact of Intra-European Migration

Over the last two decades, intra-European migration has been a highly debated topic. This was particularly true between the years of 2000 and 2010. During this time, several new countries became part of the EU, spurring debate about its consequences on EU migration patterns. So, what is the problem with intra-European migration?

While intra-European migration can be great news for countries that gain highly skilled workers, too much intra-European migration can devastate the countries left behind. A recent study found that when EU citizens move to other countries in Europe in search of better employment or higher wages, population loss and aging are exasperated in the countries left behind. One example of this is Bulgaria. Between 2007 and 2009, 4.1% of the population moved to other EU countries. If this trend continues, Bulgaria could see a 30% loss in population size by 2060. This could have a significant impact on the country.

Each year, thousands of EU citizens choose to pack up their belongings and migrate to another country. While some individuals choose to move to countries outside the EU, others choose to move to another EU country. This is known as intra-European migration. And despite being a hotly debated topic in EU countries, intra-European migration remains extremely popular. While this is unwelcome news for some, it is excellent news for the countries that are gaining highly skilled workers.