Free movement of workers means that nationals of European Union Member States can move to another EU Member State to work there. They are also entitled to equal treatment with regard to access to work, working conditions, tax and social security in particular. These workers’ families also have the right to reside in the other Member State.
Freedom of movement is one of the fundamental freedoms enjoyed by citizens of the European Union. It is enshrined in the Treaty of Rome.
More information on:
- free movement of workers on the European Parliament website
- respect for the fundamental rights of foreign workers and their families, in the field of free movement within the European Union, on the website of the Federal Migration Centre, Myria
- residence rights for workers' families on the European Commission website
- employment and training opportunities on Eures, the European job mobility portal
- the transitional rules for citizens of the new Member States on Eures, the European job mobility portal
Posted workers
Different rules apply to workers whose employer has sent them to Belgium for a limited period. They are known as posted workers.