The free movement of persons is one of the core rights guaranteed in the European Economic Area (EEA), the extended Internal Market which unites all the EU Member States and three EEAEFTA States – Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. It is perhaps the most important right for individuals, as it gives citizens of the 30 EEA countries the opportunity to live, work, establish business and study in any of these countries.
The legislation on the free movement of persons aims at eliminating all obstacles to the freedom of movement, and to give the same rights tonationals of an EEA State and their family members within the EEA by eliminating any discrimination on the basis of nationality.
To complement and support the principle of the free movement of persons, the EEA Agreement also specifies therules applicable in the fields ofrecognition of professional qualifications and social security coordination. Both are necessary to enable people to exercise their fundamental right to free movement effectively.
Sub-Policy Areas
Persons
The Working Group on Free Movement of Persons, Employment and Social Policy is responsible for legislation contained in Annex V on the Free Movement of Workers and Annex VIII on the Right of Establishment. These areas are covered by Article 28 of the EEA Agreement.
Free movement of persons is one of the core freedoms of the Internal Market. The aim of the principle of free movement of persons is to eliminate discrimination based on nationality and to simplify administrative procedures, to create a Europe in which people are encouraged to move and reside freely. Accordingly, nationals of the EEA EFTA States (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) have the same right as EU citizens to take up an economic activity anywhere in the EU/EEA without being discriminated against on the grounds of their nationality. Equally, EU citizens have the right to work and reside in the EEA EFTA States. Non-economically active persons such as pensioners, students and family members of EEA nationals are also entitled to move and reside anywhere in the EU/EEA subject to certain conditions as set out in the relevant EU legislation.
The Working Group on Free Movement of Persons, Employment and Social Policy meets regularly and actively follows EU initiatives within their field, including attending multilateral expert group meetings with the European Commission.
See also:
DG Employment - Free movement of workers
Recognition of Professional Qualifications
The Working Group on Recognition of Professional Qualifications is responsible for legislation contained in Annex VII of the EEA Agreement. Article 30 of the EEA Agreement covers mutual recognition of diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formal qualifications.
In order to aid the free movement of persons, the freedom of establishment and the freedom to provide services within the European Economic Area, a system that facilitates the recognition of professional qualifications has been put in place.
For professionals such as doctors, nurses responsible for general care, veterinary surgeons, dental practitioners, midwives, pharmacists and architects, there are rules on common minimum requirements for training, to which all EEA States must adhere. A diploma complying with these criteria must be automatically recognised.
The European Professional Card (EPC) is an EEA-wide online procedure for the recognition of qualifications. It is currently available for general care nurses, physiotherapists, pharmacists, real estate agents and mountain guides.
For other regulated professions, a "general system" applies for the recognition of professional qualifications. Recognition depends on whether the applicant has had professional training of about the same level and duration as the equivalent training in the host EEA State.
If a profession is not regulated in the host EEA State, applicants can take up their profession without further formality. They do not need to apply for recognition of their professional qualifications, and they are subject to the same conditions as the nationals of the host EEA State.
See also:
The European Commission's Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs: Recognition of professional qualifications
Social Security
The Working Group on Social Security is responsible for legislation contained in Annex VI to the EEA Agreement. This area is covered by Article 29 of the EEA Agreement.
The right of persons to move freely within the EEA is complemented by a system that coordinates social security schemes. The co-ordination system lays down common rules and principles determining which national legislation applies in each case, in order to avoid migrant workers being insured either twice or not at all.
EEA legislation in the field of social security does not harmonise national legislation's. It merely co-ordinates national social security schemes for persons moving within the EEA. The coordination system covers sickness and maternity, accidents at work, occupational diseases, invalidity benefits, old age benefits, survivors’ benefits, death grants, unemployment benefits and family benefits.
The social security provisions foresee that the social security legislation of the host EEA State extends the rights and obligations of its own nationals to nationals of other EEA States residing on its territory. A person who moves from one EEA State to another may not be placed in a worse position than a person who has always resided and worked in the same EEA State.
The Working Group on Social Security meets several times a year, usually back-to-back with the meetings of the Administrative Commission for the coordination of social security systems. The Working Group actively follows EU initiatives within their field, including attending multilateral expert group meetings with the European Commission.
See also:
The European Commission's Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities:
EU Social Security Coordination
