12. Free movement of persons and services and freedom of establishment

Abstract

This chapter examines the free movement of workers, family members and non-active persons and freedom of establishment, and places this within the framework of citizenship of the European Union. The free movement of workers is one of the original four freedoms in the Treaty of Rome establishing the European Economic Community. Free movement of workers was essential for the construction of an internal market, and for several decades the freedom to move within the Community maintained its strict link with economic activity. Free movement has now evolved beyond the economically active with access, for example, to social advantages and rights for family members. This chapter also considers the exceptions to free movement (e.g. the public health and public security exceptions) and special cases of free movement (e.g. sport and lawyers).