1. Running head: IMMIGRATION IN THE EUROPEAN UNION
The immigration phenomenon in the European Union
Student: Euridiki Damoulianou
Instructor: Dr. Dimitri’s apostolidis
GE160 EU institutions and policies
Hellenic America University
Spring 2011

2. Running head: IMMIGRATION IN THE EUROPEAN UNION
Abstract
This paper contains the definition of immigration, the roots and the
consequences of immigration to the European Union. This paper will begin with
a brief historical background of immigration in the European Union and will
continue with an analysis of the policies and laws that the European Union has
enacted in order to manage the phenomenon. Based on research, and as the
subsequent analysis will present, it was concluded that the issue of immigration
in the European Union is quite complex and multi-dimensional. What is of
significance are the methods and procedures that the European states use in
order to manage and control it. Following a brief research into the topic, it is
believed by the author that if the European States implement a common
European immigration policy, the issues resulting from it would be handled in a
much more efficient and constructive manner.
The immigration phenomenon in the European Union
Immigration, for any nation, represents a controversial and complicated
issue. More so for the European Union that represents a deeply integrated area
with a single market, common currency and a policy that supports the free
movement of people, goods and capital. Since the Maastricht Treaty and the

3. Running head: IMMIGRATION IN THE EUROPEAN UNION
establishment of what is referred to as the external frontiers of the EU,
immigration policy has been elevated to one of the areas that, although managed
intergovernmentally, are of pivotal importance to the member states.
Over the ages, the nature of European immigration has changes. A
significant number of nations had been net contributors to the phenomenon with
their respective citizens moving to far lands in search of economic prosperity.
The host nations were as diverse in character as the origins of those selecting to
immigrate. However, as European nations experienced a fast pace economic
development in the decade following World War II, things changed: From net
contributors to the phenomenon they became net receivers of immigrants
looking for economic prosperity in the old continent.
The flow of immigrants was influenced by a number of factors such as,
but not restricted, to decolonization, economic instability in the newly formed
states, political oppression, and religious persecution and even invitations by
Western governments to become guest workers. The initial period of
immigration was characterized by legal immigration. However, within a short
period of time, the phenomenon of illegal immigration appeared setting a major
challenge for the European government.
Before we continue with our analysis, it is important to define a number
of terms and the parameters of our work. Immigration is the process whereby an
individual or a group of individuals abandon their home country in order to live
permanently in a different place with better working conditions and quality of

4. Running head: IMMIGRATION IN THE EUROPEAN UNION
life compared to their home-country. The above process can be either legal or
illegal.
It is legal when governed by rules determined and applied by the host
state which simultaneously sets a cap (limit) on the number of immigrants it can
accept, a number that is usually determined by its economic capacity to
incorporate the new arrivals into the social and economic fabric of the nation.
The process becomes illegal when immigrants cross the border without formal
procedures and remain in the host nation without being granted residency or
work permits.
According to current statistical data, each year 2 million individuals
(originating mainly from developing countries) immigrate to Europe (Brady,
2008). For example, only in Spain during the last ten years, the amount of
immigrants has increased by 400 percent. It is estimated that in the next 40 years
the number of immigrants entering Europe, will increase by a significant degree
-40 percent- (Brady, 2008).
Although, it seems that migration has become a major global
phenomenon only in recent decades, Europe has a long history of immigration.
During the middle of the1950s economic development in a number of Western
and Northern European Countries, such as Germany led to labor shortages and,
consequently, a great need for foreign workers .It was immigrants from the
developing and poor countries that filled these demands(Hansen, 2003). During
the early years of immigration in Europe, there were two distinct groups of

5. Running head: IMMIGRATION IN THE EUROPEAN UNION
immigrants: a) the guest workers and b) the immigrants whose entry was
governed by the respective national policies of the host states. The national
immigration policies that were implemented by the European countries during
this period are classified into two main categories: rotational and permanent
(Hansen, 2003).
Each category is defined by the duration of one’s residency in the host
state. For example, Switzerland implemented a rotational immigration policy
that is, the foreign worker had the right to stay and work in the state only for a
limited period of time (Hansen, 2003). On the contrary, the permanent
immigration policy that the UK adopted was more flexible since a foreign
worker had the right to extend his residency in the UK for a longer period of
time (Hansen, l
2003).
Until the end of the 1950s the European States such as France and
Germany had the impression that the foreign workers would return back to their
home-countries when their economic system would stop flourishing (Hansen,
2003). But, this impression proved to be an illusion, because the majority of
immigrants (the group of immigrants that they were guest workers) seemed to
resist efforts of the European States for their repatriation (Hansen, 2003).
Furthermore, the host nations, apart from the foreign workers had to accept their
families as well (Hansen, 2003).The fact that the birth rate of immigrants was
significantly higher than the birth rate of the local population, resulted in the

6. Running head: IMMIGRATION IN THE EUROPEAN UNION
European countries transformation from mono-lingual and mono-cultural
countries, to multi-lingual and multi-cultural ones (Hansen, 2003).
During the 1960s and 1970s, as economic European development
subsided, the number of immigrants increased dramatically from previous years
thus sparking debates and conflict between local citizens and their respective
national governments (Hansen, 2003). Thus, the host European countries
adopted a stricter national immigrant policy in order to curtail the influx of
immigrants in their countries (Hansen, 2003). However, due to family
reunification and the development of sizeable and strong local immigrant
communities, the ratio of immigrants as a percentage of the total respective
populations continued to increase (Hansen, 2003).
During the 1980s the number of legal foreign citizens in Germany was
about 800, 00, 500,000 in Italy and 200,000 in the UK (Hansen, 2003). On the
contrary, in France during the 1980s a significant number of immigrants
returned to their home country because there was a limited demand for foreign
employees (Hansen, 2003).
During the 1990s circular immigration (the fluid movement of people
between countries) increased significantly (Boswell, 2005). Moreover, during
the 1990s a high demand for asylums -the protection that an individual, who
cannot return to his home-country, asks for from a nation in order to avoid
prosecution at home – was observed (Boswell, 2005).

7. Running head: IMMIGRATION IN THE EUROPEAN UNION
Finally, since 2000 an increase of immigrants towards Southern Europe
and especially the Mediterranean countries, that is Spain, Greece, Portugal and
Italy, was observed (Salt, 2006).
Different forces drive individuals to immigrate towards Europe. Overall,
what best describes European immigration patterns is a system defined by the
pull/ push factor theory (Brady, 2008). The theory defines a set of factors that
simultaneously exits in both host and home nation and influence the decision of
the potential immigrant .Pull factors are defined as those that make the option of
immigrating to the host country very appealing. They usually include, but not
restricted to, the better living and working conditions that exist in the potential
host nation translating into higher salaries, better educational opportunities, a
booming economy, a promise of political and religious freedom and family
reunification (Brady, 2008).
Push factors are defined as the set of factors characteristic of the
economic and possibly political conditions of the home nation that push an
individual to consider and most likely immigrate to another nation. Such factors
are, but again not restricted to, high unemployment, political instability, war and
poverty (Brady, 2008).
However, the causes of immigration cannot be analyzed within a general
context since they correlated simultaneously with the personality, the
educational and the cultural background of each potential immigrant as well as

8. Running head: IMMIGRATION IN THE EUROPEAN UNION
with the circumstances that exist in his home nation and at their potential
destination (host nation).
One interesting case study is that of Nigerian immigration to Europe. It
should be noted that the Nigerian case could serve as a guide since the reasons
governing Nigerian immigration patterns are similar, if not identical, to those of
other nationalities from developing countries.
Firstly, the poverty and the unemployment that exist in Nigeria are two of
the main reasons why a significant amount of locals abandon their home country
(Museckaite, 2008). According to statistical data more than 68.70 percent of
Nigerian citizens live in high poverty lacking basic needs such as food and water
(Museckaite, 2008). Moreover, 19.7 percent of Nigerian citizens are
unemployed and those who do work receive very low wages in comparison to
the increased cost of living (Museckaite, 2008). On the contrary, Europe
searches both for skilled and unskilled workers to cover its labor needs
(Museckaite, 2008). Added to the fact that Europe offers higher salaries to
workers (in comparison to their home country), it presents for Nigerians a great
opportunity to increase their income and to send back currency to Nigeria to
help their families (Museckaite, 2008).
Furthermore, the lack of a proper educational system, push Nigerians to
immigrate towards Europe (Museckaite, 2008). 99% of Nigeria’s residents claim
that the educational system of their country has suffered from years of
negligence added to the absence of specific policy frameworks within the

9. Running head: IMMIGRATION IN THE EUROPEAN UNION
system (Museckaite, 2008).The teaching personnel is not adequately qualified
and there is a lack of educational facilities (Museckaite, 2008). On the contrary,
education in Europe nations is highly prioritized and its personnel are well
qualified and competent (Museckaite, 2008). In addition, in the Europe nations,
there is a wide range of free education for all citizens and the immigrants can be
accepted to all universities that exist in Europe (Museckaite, 2008).
Finally, the improvised Nigerian medical system (the absence of adequate
hospitals and well educated personnel) forces its citizens with chronic conditions
that require long term health, to immigrate to European nations (Museckaite,
2008).
Contrary to Nigeria and developing nations overall, European countries
social security standards are high (Museckaite, 2008). In most EU members,
social security is financed through taxes and covers health needs that extend
from childhood to adulthood. (Museckaite, 2008). In addition, all the legal
immigrants in Europe are covered by free public insurance and have equal and
free access to all the public hospitals and health services (Museckaite, 2008).
Another aspect of immigration is the impact it has on European nations,
specifically, its implications for Europe’s economy, culture and politics.
To begin with, although the economic impact of immigration on Europe
has been discussed a lot, some economic aspects need further research –for
example, the consumer role of immigrants- (European Immigration Network,
2006).

10. Running head: IMMIGRATION IN THE EUROPEAN UNION
Immigrants have turned into significant consumers in the European
nations (European Immigration Network, 2006). It has been estimated that their
increased demand for ethnic products has resulted in the development of
marketing campaigns with immigrants as the target groups (European
Immigration Network, 2006).
On the flip side, immigrant activity has contributed to increase outflow of
capital from the host nation to the country of origin in the form of income
remittance. The challenges faced by most immigrants and their inability to rely
on steady employment either due to lack of official credentials or, most
commonly language barriers, have led many to turn into entrepreneurs. Small
business or the so called “ethnic entrepreneurship”, have influenced European
economies (European Immigration Network, 2006).
In addition, many European countries have created a set of opportunities
to help the immigrants to create small business – for example, the Diaspora
network capital and family labor (European Immigration Network, 2006).
Finally, immigrants who are high qualified, have a positive impact on Europe’s
economic growth, because they contribute to high quality service sectors such as
health and education (European Immigration Network, 2006). However, the
phenomenon of high -qualified immigrants is rather new, because until the
1990s immigrants were perceived as ideal workers for difficult jobs, which the
autochthonous populations avoided (European Immigration Network, 2006).

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The impact of immigrants on European cultures is difficult to measure
(European Immigration Network, 2006). One domain in Europe which has
changed due to immigration ,is the area of cuisine and food consumption
(European Immigration Network, 2006).There is a high range of foreign
foods ,which have contributed to the development of ethnic restaurants and to
the change of eating habit (European Immigration Network, 2006).
Furthermore, sports have also been influenced by immigration (European
Immigration Network, 2006). Many immigrants participate in various sport
activities both as amateurs and professionals (European Immigration Network,
2006).Immigrants also, has brought with them the sport traditions they have
inherited from their home-countries (European Immigration Network, 2006).
In addition, immigrants have influenced the world of fashion with many
designers borrowing the exotic, and on occasion, eccentric styles of their home
fashion and introducing them as part of the main stream (European Immigration
Network, 2006).According to some studies, in some places of Europe,
autochthonous population has adapted the fashion style of immigrants (for
example, a lot of Chinese shops with clothes have been created in many
European countries (European Immigration Network, 2006).
Immigrants have also influenced the arts (European Immigration
Network, 2006) .Many taking advantage of the freedom of speech and
expression will use their new found freedoms to either express through art their
experiences escaping their home governments or will create using their new

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homes as an inspiration to express hope. Either way, the incorporation of a
different voice to the artistic landscape of the home nation often offers a fresh
perspective. It however on occasion can lead to trouble as demonstrated to by
the Dutch illegal immigrant that was arrested for deportation after the
publication of a book narrating her experience.
Finally, immigration has a significant impact on the structure of European
countries (European Immigration Network, 2006).
The fact that the political right of immigrants is debatable, has contributed to the
creation of participatory institutions and advisory systems assisting in the
incorporation of the immigrants in their host nations (European Immigration
Network, 2006).
Also, a set of immigrant-self organizations and civil society institutions,
have increased the political interest of immigrants (European Immigration
Network, 2006).Thus, the creation of non-government and civil- society
organizations and religious groups, is a trait of modern Europe (European
Immigration Network, 2006).
Most of the members of the European Union in October 1999, agreed to
develop a common immigration policy in order to manage the phenomenon of
immigration towards Europe (ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/policies/immigration).
The common immigration policy ,which took into account both the
demographic and economic development of the European Union, the situation of
the countries of origin and the need to develop a set of specific integration

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policies, was confirmed in 2004(ec.europa.eu/home-
affairs/policies/immigration).
In addition, in 2004 the Hague program was implemented which aimed at
setting Justice, freedom and security in the European Union between the period
2005-2010 (ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/policies/immigration).
More specifically, the Hague program contains the following key issues:
fair treatment for third countries nationals , a common European asylum system,
the development of partnerships with countries of origin and of transit and a
analytical approach to the management of migration flows (ec.europa.eu/home-
affairs/policies/immigration).
Finally, the Hague program contains a European framework to contribute
to immigrant’s better integration to the host nation , a policy to repatriate illegal
immigrants , common visa rules and measures for foreigners to legally work in
Europe (ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/policies/immigration).
To sum up, immigration in Europe is a complex and controversial issue
with a long history, various causes and significant impacts on Europe. The most
members of the European Union have realized that immigration can benefit
Europe provided that a common European policy for the management of
immigration is implemented.

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Resources
Hansen (2003).Migration to Europe since 1945: Its History and its Lessons. The
Political Quarterly.
Brandy (2008) .EU migration policy: an A-Z. The center for European reform,
London.
European Commission Home affairs. (2011). Retrieved June 1, 2011 from http://
ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/policies/immigration/immigration_intro_en.htm.
European Immigration Network. (2006). Retrieved June, 1, 2011 from
http://ec.europa.eu/home-
affairs/doc_centre/immigration/docs/studies/emn_immigration_2006_en.pdf.
Museckaite( 2008). Reasons for Nigerian people migration to Europe. Roskilde
University.

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Boswel (2005). Migration in Europe. Hamburg Institute of international
Economics.
Salt (2006). Current trends in International Migration in Europe.Consultant’s
Report to the Council of Europe.