Rights of residence and employment

European Union citizens have the right to enter other states within the Union, take up residence and seek employment without hindrance from state authorities. Third country nationals will, however, only normally be granted immediate rights of entry as tourists or for short-term business purposes. Applications for entry visas (where required), residence and work permits should initially be made through the local embassy of the chosen EU country.

The most relevant transnational measures regulating the freedom of movement of EU citizens are:

• The right to refuse entry and grounds for expulsion (64/221/EEC - revised 1972)
• Movement and residence (68/360/EEC)
• Free movement of workers (Regulation 1612/68)
• Social security rights for migrant workers (Regulations 1408/71 and 574/72)
• Self-employment and service provision (73/148/EEC)
• Right to remain in a member state - self-employed worker (75/34/EEC)
• Vocational qualifications - comparability (Council decision 85/368/EEC)
• Mutual recognition of qualifications - (Architects (85/384/EEC), Pharmacists (85/432/EEC), certificates involving years + study (89/48/EEC), certificates involving under 3 years study (92/51/EEC), Doctors (93/16/EEC), Academics (Commission communication Dec 13th 1994), road transport operators (96/26/EC), lawyers (98/5/EC).
• Rights of residence - special categories (90/364/EEC)
• Rights of residence after retirement (90/365/EEC)
• Rights of residence - students (90/366/EEC)
• Long-term third country residents (Council resolution March 4th 1996)
• Third country nationals - Employment (Council recommendation Sept 27th 1996)
• Posting of workers within the EU (96/71/EC)

Rights of entry to the UK

EU citizens may freely enter the UK, but they will be required to apply for a residence permit if they stay for prolonged periods. The relevant contact points for further information are as follows:

• Internet site with useful documents that may be downloaded: http://www.fco.gov.uk
• Entry clearance and visas - Joint Entry Clearance Unit:
  Telephone 0207 238 3838
• Residence permits - Home Office enquiry line:
  Telephone: 0870 606 7766
• Work permits - DfEE Overseas labour service:
  Telephone 0114 259 4074 (employers should call this number before offering employment to third country nationals).
• Job Centres - DWP enquiry line:
  Telephone 0845 601 2001

Other European countries

	Belgium	0032 2 2334111
	Bulgaria	00359 2 8601
	Cyprus	0002 303481
	Czech Republic	0042 02 24902111
	Denmark	0045 33 925900
	Estonia	00372 2 423550
	Finland	00358 9 18561
	France	0033 1 44383838
	Germany	0049 2 285271
	Greece	0030 1 5295001
	Hungary	0036 1 3022100
	Iceland	00354 5609100
	Ireland	00353 1 6765861 or 6614444
	Italy	0039 6 46831 or 481611
	Luxembourg	00352 478 1
	Malta	00356 243166 9
	Netherlands	0031 70 3334444
	Norway	0047 22 249090
	Poland	0048 22 6289041
	Portugal	00351 1 8470010

For remaining European states we suggest that employers initially contact the local chamber of commerce in the country concerned.

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