Press Release: Free movement of workers: Commission requests UK to end discrimination on other nationals’ right to reside as workers

The European Commission has requested the United Kingdom to end discriminatory conditions on the right to reside as a worker which exclude from certain social benefits nationals from eight of the ten Member States (Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland) that joined the EU in 2004. The Commission considers the discriminatory rules to be in breach of transitional arrangements on free movement of workers, as well as the obligation to ensure equal treatment on the basis of nationality. The request takes the form of a 'reasoned opinion' under EU infringement procedures. The United Kingdom has two months to bring its legislation into line with EU law. Otherwise, the Commission may decide to refer the UK to the EU's Court of Justice.