Why do Europeans Migrate to Berlin? Social‐Structural Differences for Italian, British, French and Polish Nationals in the Period between 1980 and 2002*

Abstract

One of the main issues in migration research concerns the reasons migrants have for crossing borders. It is assumed in the research that migration is primarily economically driven. In recent studies, however, the importance of social and cultural reasons for migration has become apparent. In this context, the present contribution discusses the reasons for the migration of Europeans from Italy, France, the United Kingdom, and Poland who moved to Germany (Berlin) between 1980 and 2002. In this case, it can be shown empirically that purely economic reasons play a lesser role in migration than is generally assumed, whereas social and cultural motives actually have a much greater influence. Primary data gathered in Berlin early in 2002 form the empirical foundation of the study. Multinomial logistic regressions are used to discuss the function of social‐structural differences (e.g., nationality, age, gender, education, social origin) in the formation of individual reasons for migration.

Demographic Issues of Intra-European Migration: Destinations, Family and Settlement

“…Recent research has documented that migration processes within Europe are the result of complex decision-making processes in which not only economic factors, but also social network resources and a variety of social, familial and cultural factors play important roles (Gilmartin and Migge 2013;Verwiebe 2014). This large diversity of migrant profiles in the EU-15, including traditional low-skilled economic migrants, highly educated young professionals, retirement migrants, students, lifestyle movers and binational family members was also documented by the PIONEUR project.…”

“…In general, destinations have diversified, migration projects have become more individualized, and decisions to move to another European country are nowadays driven by a plurality of motives. Although career considerations and the possibility of earning a better salary remain an important motivation to leave the country of origin, non-work reasons for migrating (family, affective relationships, study, retirement or lifestyle considerations) are an important aspect of intra-European migration (Gilmartin and Migge 2013;Santacreu et al 2009;Verwiebe 2014). This raises new questions on migration decision-making, the importance of origin and destination countries in this decision-making process, and the importance of networks and family relations both before and after the move (Benton and Petrovic 2013;De Winter et al 2014).…”

Relationship satisfaction of European binational couples in the Netherlands

“…Recent studies into migration motivations of intra-EU movers apparently support this idea, as social and cultural reasons, including love and relationships, show to be important drivers of mobility within the EU (see for example Gilmartin & Migge, 2013;Santacreu, Baldoni, & Albert, 2009;Verwiebe, 2014). Santacreu et al (2009) and Verwiebe (2014), for example, indicated that family and marriage-related reasons figure among the most prominent reasons for intra-European mobility.…”

Falling in love with(in) Europe: European bi-national love relationships, European identification and transnational solidarity

“…There is now ample evidence that, apart from economic motives, social and cultural reasons are important drivers of intra-European mobility, including love and relationships (see for example Verwiebe, 2014;Gilmartin and Migge, 2013;Santacreu et al, 2009). The studies of Santacreu et al (2009) and Verwiebe (2014), for example, indicate that family and marriage-related reasons figure among the most prominent reasons to move within Europe.…”

“…Our analyses are based on the Dutch data of the EUMARR study. According to Statistics Netherlands, 27.38 per cent (984,106 individuals) of the total foreign population in the Netherlands originated from another EU-country in 2014 (Statline, 2014: authors' own calculations).…”