Free Movement of Workers

2. Transitional Arrangements
a) Will I be able to work in a present Member State as from 1 May 2004?
For the first two years following the accession of the new Member States, access to
the labour markets of the present Member States will depend on the national law and
policy of those States, as well as the bilateral agreements they may have with the new
Member States. Some Member States have indicated that they intend to fully open
their labour markets to workers from all the new Member States. Other present
Member States intend to allow more restrictive access, which will differ depending on
the new Member State in question. In practical terms, this means that you are likely to
need a work permit during the period the present Member States apply national
measures.
b) What happens in 2006?
At the end of the first two years following accession, the Commission will draft a
report, on the basis of which the Council will review the functioning of the
transitional arrangements. In addition, each of the present Member States must make a
formal notification to the Commission whether they intend to continue with national
law measures for a maximum of three more years (in which case you will still need a
work permit) or whether they will apply the Community law regime of full free
movement of workers (meaning that you can go and work freely there).…