EU Enforcement of Free Movement of People Rules

The principle of free movement is fundamental to the EU’s single market and EU citizenship. It is enshrined in Articles 21 and 45 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and in EU directives and regulations.

The European Commission monitors Member States’ implementation of free movement rules and believes the economic crisis has prompted some Member States to take unilateral, discriminatory action in breach of them.

This Note outlines Commission and Court of Justice action in the area of the free movement of people with specific reference to UK cases.