EU Enlargement will pose Migration Challenge in Accession States

Geneva, 30 April 2004 - On 1 May 2004 ten new states will join the European Union - the biggest expansion in its history. But the migratory impact of enlargement on existing EU members may be less dramatic than many believe.

According to a recent IOM study: Migration Trends in Selected EU Applicant Countries, the impact of enlargement may well be greatest in terms of immigration into accessing countries.

New members states will become more attractive to immigrants as a result of increased economic convergence, growth and improved living standards. From emigration and transit countries, they will become, in various degrees, countries of immigration.

Emigration and temporary migration westward will continue, but accession states will face a new challenge - the arrival of foreigners in their cities and neighborhoods, perhaps competing for jobs.

New policies and new thinking consistent with standards prevailing in the existing EU member states will be needed to ensure the economic and cultural integration of these immigrants.

The Czech Republic, for example, was a transit country, but is fast becoming a country of immigration. In 2002, it officially hosted more than 230,000 immigrants, mostly from Slovakia and Ukraine, but also from Poland and Vietnam. Irregular immigrants numbered between 295,000 and 335,000.

According to the IOM study, although Czech legislation on international migration is solidly based on EU directives (EU Acquis), public debate on migration remains limited and much more needs to be done to integrate migrants in Czech society and limit irregular migration


In Slovakia, recent inflows of regular and irregular migrants now pose real legal, economic, social, cultural and political challenges for Slovak society. New approaches and policies need to be designed and implemented to promote the integration of migrants and to educate the Slovak public.

IOM studies over the past four years suggest that enlargement on May 1st is not likely to trigger large-scale emigration from the new members to the existing 15 EU member states.

Studies on potential migration from Central and Eastern Europe and the experience of previous EU enlargements show that over time emigration tends to decrease after accession. For example, some 200,000 Spaniards a year emigrated in the early 70s. In the late 70s, this figure had dropped to 120,000. After Spain's EU accession in 1987, numbers dropped further and it became a net immigration country.

In the immediate short term, temporary labour migration to neighbouring countries is likely to occur. This will primarily consist of young, relatively well-educated people, and could result in some brain drain from accession states. Transition arrangements currently in place may stem some of this movement.

As part of the enlargement process, accessing countries will also be expected to better control their eastern borders and to work closely with other EU member states to fight irregular migration and trafficking. Progress made in this area will be among the key criteria when accession states apply for membership of the Schengen area.