One of the first results of the ‘ImmigrationPolicy2.0’ project was the overview of the current state of immigration policy in Estonia, Germany, Italy, Greece and the European Union as a whole published in early 2011.

 

The overview analyses immigration policy, legislation, studies in the field of migration and documents related to the issue. It primarily focuses on legal immigration and economic migration (i.e. migration related to work and business), highlighting differences and similarities and the obstacles to policy harmonisation.

 

Economic migration policy in the European Union and its Member States is principally shaped by the regulations of the Schengen zone and the lack of labour in the EU due to the simultaneous aging and decline in numbers of the population. The need for qualified workers is particularly great, although to a certain extent there is also a shortage of less qualified labour. The needs of different Member States in terms of labour migration vary. However, given the conditions of the free movement of individuals and labour within the EU, unified standpoints need to be taken in terms of labour migration.

 

The overview clearly highlights the major differences in the immigration policies and administrative practices of the four EU Member States studied. It does not fall within the competence of the European Union to amend the migration and integration policies of Member States, but harmonisation of policies and practices in the field is in the interests of the union as a whole. That is why it is also the goal of the ImmigrationPolicy2.0 project to contribute to harmonisation using the top-down method. This means that experts, interest groups and immigrants are being given the chance to have their say in the development and amendment of policies and practices.

 

A report on the overview (in English) can be downloaded here.