Exploring the limits of social solidarity: welfare tourism and EU citizenship

Abstract

Political debates concerning the free movement of (poor) EU citizens (mainly from the newer EU Member

Intra-European migration decisions and welfare systems: the missing life course link

“…In addition, individuals who are reliant on welfare state arrangements in the origin country are likely less resourceful, and therefore less capable to move internationally (Carling 2002). Related to this, during the first five years after migration, inactive EU migrants have limited welfare rights in the destination country (Mantu and Minderhoud 2016). Without income from paid labour, these migrants may initially depend on exported benefits from the origin country.…”

Social policy research in times of crisis

“…The focus of policy on reducing social spending in combination with higher levels of migration also fuelled a debate on who should be given benefits, leading to further research in the area. Subsequently, research focuses on what was once labelled welfare tourism, especially related to the free movement of workers within the European Union (EU) (Wasserfallen, 2010;Mantu & Minderhoud, 2016), but also migrants coming to Europe from countries outside the EU. The free movement of workers and increase in migrants has been part of the analysis on welfare chauvinism as an indicator for how countries and debates tried to restrict the use of benefits primarily to natives.…”

Social Policy in Changing European Societies

“…The focus of policy on reducing social spending in combination with higher levels of migration also fuelled a debate on who should be given benefits, leading to further research in the area. Subsequently, research focuses on what was once labelled welfare tourism, especially related to the free movement of workers within the European Union (EU) (Wasserfallen, 2010;Mantu & Minderhoud, 2016), but also migrants coming to Europe from countries outside the EU. The free movement of workers and increase in migrants has been part of the analysis on welfare chauvinism as an indicator for how countries and debates tried to restrict the use of benefits primarily to natives.…”