Over half of European citizens value the ability to travel and work in other member states above other benefits usually associated with EU membership, a study has found.
The Eurofound survey indicates that 53 per cent of citizens put 'freedom of travel and work in the EU' first when asked what the EU represents to them, well ahead of the introduction of the euro and safeguarding peace.
However, the survey also reveals that while most citizens are in favour of mobility, few actually take up the opportunity to live and work in other countries.
According to the
Mobility in Europereport, 49 per cent of EU citizens think that mobility is a good thing for an individual while 50 per cent think there are advantages for the economy. Nonetheless, just 4 per cent of workers have actually seized the opportunity and moved to another country in the EU after leaving their parental home.
In addition, even fewer (3 per cent) have moved to a non-EU country. Moving to another region in one's own country is a somewhat more popular option with 18 per cent of workers questioned in 2005 having taken that step.
Fear of losing contact with family and friends is cited by 44 per cent of EU citizens as a risk associated with moving abroad and 17 per cent of those who had actually migrated did report deterioration in their contact with loved ones.
The challenge of having to learn a new language is also noted as a disincentive to cross-country mobility.
Only 31 per cent of the employed EU population said they would be ready to move even if faced with unemployment in the future.
The report finds that countries with high migration inflows such as Ireland and Spain have benefited economically, however, for migrants themselves it can be a different story.
According to Eurofound's report, migrants often face serious labour market disadvantages in getting their qualifications recognised, resulting in highly educated workers being overqualified for the jobs they do. In addition, they are often paid significantly less than nationals.
In France, for example, first-generation migrants earn 15 per cent less than their French counterparts; while second-generation migrants earn only 9 per cent less.
Moreover, migrants face a greater likelihood of unemployment than nationals, with certain groups - such as non-EU nationals, younger people and women - being especially disadvantaged.
European Commission estimates for the year 2005 suggest that 610,000 workers chose to live and work in a different country within the EU15. This is the equivalent of 0.34 per cent of the total EU labour force.
