Arguably, the most important element in any system of economic integration is the freedom of movement of persons. In this as in other initiatives, the European Community has taken the lead, and emerging economic unions and common markets elsewhere in the world take full cognizance of the EC’s successes and failures as this fundamental right has developed under European law.
The present volume provides a comprehensive overview of this body of law, encompassing doctrinal basis, institutional framework, legal compliance, judicial development, and derogation on such grounds as security and health. The authors, both well-known experts in the field, comment, extensively on matters including visas, free movement of workers, freedom of establishment for companies, posted workers, harmonisation of professional qualifications, European citizenship, freedom to provide and receive services, agreements between the European Community and other states concerning free movement, the rights of third country nationals (especially their position under the EURODAC regulation), and the rights of families and individuals to housing and education. In addition to providing analysis of the relevant provisions of the European Community Treaty as amended by subsequent treaties including the Treaties of Amsterdam and Nice, the book takes considerable account of all relevant secondary legislation and sometimes soft law, for example draft treaties, resolutions, and draft legislation. The authors also consider what obstacles remain to this freedom, and what future developments might take place in this area of Community law.
Free Movement of Persons within the European Community will be of great value to legal practitioners, officials of the EC and other economic unions, and postgraduate and undergraduate students, as well as the wider public interested in the process of European integration.