Cross-Border Labor Mobility: Migration Toward and Inside the European Continent

This chapter scrutinizes the intricate landscape of cross-border labor migration in Europe, historically recognized for emigration yet evolving into a pivotal immigrant destination post-World War II. Four pivotal transitions mark this evolution: Firstly, in the immediate aftermath of WWII, European nations imported millions of guest workers from former colonies to facilitate post-war reconstruction. Secondly, in the early 1990s, vast numbers of East German and Eastern European workers migrated to northwestern Europe following the collapse of the Berlin Wall. Thirdly, in the early 2000s, the European Union absorbed previously socialist Central and Southeastern European nations, accessing a skilled labor reservoir. Lastly, since the 2014-2016 Refugee Crisis, millions of political and environmental refugees, primarily from Muslim nations, have sought asylum in European territories. These transformations prompt significant inquiries into the EU's foundational principles of labor, services, capital, and goods mobility, particularly given the economic and political disparities among member states.