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The freedom of movement for workers is a policy chapter of the acquis communautaire of the European Union. The free movement of workers means that nationals of any member state of the European Union can take up an employment in another member state on the same conditions as the nationals of that particular member state. In particular, no discrimination based on nationality is allowed. It is part of the free movement of persons and one of the four economic freedoms: free movement of goods, services, labour and capital. Article 45 TFEU (ex 39 and 48) states that:
- Freedom of movement for workers shall be secured within the Community.
- Such freedom of movement shall entail the abolition of any discrimination based on nationality between workers of the Member States as regards employment, remuneration and other conditions of work and employment.
- It shall entail the right, subject to limitations justified on grounds of public policy, public security or public health:
- (a) to accept offers of employment actually made;
- (b) to move freely within the territory of Member States for this purpose;
- (c) to stay in a Member State for the purpose of employment in accordance with the provisions governing the employment of nationals of that State laid down by law, regulation or administrative action;
- (d) to remain in the territory of a Member State after having been employed in that State, subject to conditions which shall be embodied in implementing regulations to be drawn up by the Commission.
- The provisions of this article shall not apply to employment in the public service. [1]
The right to free movement has both 'horizontal' and 'vertical' direct effect, [2] [3] such that a citizen of any EU state can invoke the right, without more, in an ordinary court, against other persons, both governmental and non-governmental.
The Treaty of Paris (1951) [4] establishing the European Coal and Steel Community established a right to free movement for workers in these industries, and the Treaty of Rome (1957) [5] provided a right for the free movement of workers within the European Economic Community, to be implemented within 12 years from the date of entry into force of the treaty. The first step towards realizing the free movement of workers was the Council Regulation no. 15 of 1961, [6] which entered into force on 1 September 1961. It gave the nationals of the member states the right to take up employment in another member state provided that there were no nationals of that member state available for the job. [7] The regulation was superseded by another regulation on 1 May 1964, which further extended the right of workers to take up employment in another member state. [8] However, it was not until 8 November 1968, when regulation (EEC) no 1612/68 entered into force, that free movement of workers was fully implemented within the Communities. [9] Through this regulation, the original article 49 of the EEC treaty was implemented, and all nationals of the member states obtained the right to take up employment in another member state on the same conditions as the nationals of that particular member state. [10] The free movement of workers was thus implemented before the twelve-year period stipulated in the EEC treaty had expired. On 16 June 2011, this regulation was replaced by the Free Movement of Workers Regulation 2011. At the time free movement of workers was implemented within the European Communities, the corresponding right already existed within the Benelux (since 1960) and between the Nordic countries (since 1954) through separate international treaties and conventions.
The Directive 2004/38/EC on the right to move and reside freely assembles the different aspects of the right of movement in one document, replacing inter alia the directive 1968/360/EEC. It also clarifies procedural issues, and it strengthens the rights of family members of European citizens using the freedom of movement. According to the official site of the European Parliament, the explanation of the freedom of movement goes as follows:
Freedom of movement and residence for persons in the EU is the cornerstone of Union citizenship, which was established by the Treaty of Maastricht in 1992. Its practical implementation in EU law, however, has not been straightforward. It first involved the gradual phasing out, of internal borders under the Schengen agreements, initially in just a handful of Member States. Today, the provisions governing the free movement of persons are laid down in Directive 2004/38/EC on the right of EU citizens and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States. However, the implementation of this directive continues to face many obstacles. [11]
The meaning of 'worker' is a matter of European Union law. [12] "The essential feature of an employment relationship, however, is that for a certain period of time a person performs services for and under the direction of another person in return for which he receives remuneration." [13]
The right to free movement applies where the legal relationship of employment is entered into in or shall take effect within the territory of the European Community. [19] [20] The precise legal scope of the right to free movement for workers has been shaped by the European Court of Justice and by directives and regulations. Underlying these developments is a tension "between the image of the Community worker as a mobile unit of production, contributing to the creation of a single market and to the economic prosperity of Europe" and the "image of the worker as a human being, exercising a personal right to live in another country and to take up employment there without discrimination, to improve the standard of living of his or her family". [21]
In the Treaty of Accession 2003, the Treaty of Accession 2005, and the Treaty of Accession 2011, there is a clause about a transition period before workers from the new member states can be employed on an equal, non-discriminatory terms in the old member states. The old member states have the right to impose such transitional period for 2 years, then to decide to extend it for additional 3 years, and then, if there is serious proof that labour from new member states would be disruptive to the market in the old member states then the period can be extended for the last time for 2 more years. [22]
According to the principle of reciprocity, new member states have the right to impose restrictions for all the countries that introduced restrictions and transitional periods to their citizens. Croatia has decided to apply this rule. [23]
The United Kingdom formally left the EU on 31 January 2020, following on a public vote held in June 2016. [24] However a transition period to give time to negotiate a trade deal between the UK and the EU was in place in the interim. The EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) was concluded on 24 December 2020.
On 1 January 2021 free movement of persons between the parties ended as it is not incorporated in the TCA or the Brexit withdrawal agreement.
The citizens of the member states of the European Economic Area (which includes the EU) have the same right of freedom of movement in the EEA as EU citizens do within the Union. [25] Additionally, the European Union, its member states, and Switzerland have concluded a multilateral agreement with the same meaning. [26] The EEA member states outside the EU (Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) and Switzerland are treated as "old member states" in regard to the Treaty of Accession of the new EU members, so they can impose such 2+3+2 transitional periods.
Switzerland initially granted freedom of movement to EEA citizens from 2005 to 2011. It briefly reimposed restrictions in 2012–2013, but lifted them again in 2014. A 2014 Referendum directed the Swiss government to impose permanent quotas on residence/work permits for citizens of all EEA countries except Liechtenstein, starting from 2017 at the latest. [27] [28] [29] However, on 22 December 2016, Switzerland and the EU concluded an agreement that a new Swiss law (in response to the referendum) may require Swiss employers to give priority to Swiss-based job seekers (Swiss nationals and foreigners registered in Swiss job agencies) but does not limit the free movement of EU workers to Switzerland. [30]
Liechtenstein was originally allowed by Protocol 15 of the EEA Agreement to limit free movement of persons from other EEA states until 1 January 1998 [31] and then the measure was subjected to a review which concluded in a declaration by the EEA Council [32] that allowed Liechtenstein to indefinitely limit free movement of persons from other EEA states pursuant to Article 112 of the EEA Agreement. Liechtenstein imposes quotas for all EEA citizens (issuing 56 residence permits per year) [33] [34] and a separate quota for Swiss citizens (a further 12 residence permits per year). [33]
The citizens of → can be employed in ↓ starting ↘[ clarification needed ] | European Union members | Other EEA members | The citizens of ← can be employed in ↓ starting ↙ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Austria | 1994 | 2014 | 2020 | 2004 | 2011 | 1994 | 2011 | 1994 | 1994 | 1994 | 1994 | 2011 | 1994 | 1994 | 2011 | 2011 | 1994 | 2004 | 1994 | 2011 | 1994 | 2014 | 2011 | 2011 | 1994 | 1994 | 1994 | 1995 | 1994 | 2004 | 1994 | Austria | |||||
Belgium [a] | 1994 | 2014 | 2015 | 2004 | 2009 | 1973 | 2009 | 1994 | 1968 | 1968 | 1981 | 2009 | 1973 | 1968 | 2009 | 2009 | 1960 | 2004 | 1960 | 2009 | 1986 | 2014 | 2009 | 2009 | 1986 | 1994 | 1994 | 1995 | 1994 | 2004 | 1973 | Belgium | |||||
Bulgaria | 2007 | 2007 | 2013 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | Bulgaria | |||||
Croatia [35] [36] [37] | 2020 | 2015 | 2013 | 2015 | 2013 | 2013 | 2013 | 2013 | 2015 | 2015 | 2015 | 2013 | 2013 | 2015 | 2013 | 2013 | 2015 | 2018 | 2018 | 2013 | 2013 | 2013 | 2013 | 2018 | 2015 | 2013 | 2015 | 2018 | 2014 | 2022 | 2018 | Croatia | |||||
Cyprus | 2004 | 2004 | 2007 | 2015 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2007 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2005 | 2004 | Cyprus | |||||
Czech Republic | 2004 | 2004 | 2007 | 2013 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2007 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2005 | 2004 | Czech Republic | |||||
Denmark [b] | 1994 | 1973 | 2009 | 2013 | 2004 | 2009 | 2009 | 1954 | 1973 | 1973 | 1981 | 2009 | 1973 | 1973 | 2009 | 2009 | 1973 | 2004 | 1973 | 2009 | 1986 | 2009 | 2009 | 2009 | 1986 | 1954 | 1954 | 1995 | 1954 | 2004 | 1973 | Denmark | |||||
Estonia | 2004 | 2004 | 2007 | 2013 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2007 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2005 | 2004 | Estonia | |||||
Finland [b] | 1994 | 1994 | 2007 | 2013 | 2004 | 2006 | 1954 | 2006 | 1994 | 1994 | 1994 | 2006 | 1994 | 1994 | 2006 | 2006 | 1994 | 2004 | 1994 | 2006 | 1994 | 2007 | 2006 | 2006 | 1994 | 1954 | 1954 | 1995 | 1954 | 2004 | 1994 | Finland | |||||
France | 1994 | 1968 | 2014 | 2015 | 2004 | 2008 | 1973 | 2008 | 1994 | 1968 | 1981 | 2008 | 1973 | 1968 | 2008 | 2008 | 1968 | 2004 | 1968 | 2008 | 1986 | 2014 | 2008 | 2008 | 1986 | 1994 | 1994 | 1995 | 1994 | 2004 | 1973 | France | |||||
Germany | 1994 | 1968 | 2014 | 2015 | 2004 | 2011 | 1973 | 2011 | 1994 | 1968 | 1981 | 2011 | 1973 | 1968 | 2011 | 2011 | 1968 | 2004 | 1968 | 2011 | 1986 | 2014 | 2011 | 2011 | 1986 | 1994 | 1994 | 1995 | 1994 | 2004 | 1973 | Germany | |||||
Greece | 1994 | 1981 | 2009 | 2015 | 2004 | 2006 | 1981 | 2006 | 1994 | 1981 | 1981 | 2006 | 1981 | 1981 | 2006 | 2006 | 1981 | 2004 | 1981 | 2006 | 1986 | 2009 | 2006 | 2006 | 1986 | 1994 | 1994 | 1995 | 1994 | 2004 | 1981 | Greece | |||||
Hungary | 2009 | 2009 | 2009 | 2013 | 2004 | 2004 | 2009 | 2004 | 2006 | 2008 | 2009 | 2006 | 2004 | 2006 | 2004 | 2004 | 2007 | 2004 | 2007 | 2004 | 2006 | 2009 | 2004 | 2004 | 2006 | 2004 | 2006 | 2009 | 2006 | 2009 | 2004 | Hungary | |||||
Ireland [c] | 1994 | 1973 | 2012 | 2013 | 2004 | 2004 | 1973 | 2004 | 1994 | 1973 | 1973 | 1981 | 2004 | 1973 | 2004 | 2004 | 1973 | 2004 | 1973 | 2004 | 1986 | 2012 | 2004 | 2004 | 1986 | 1994 | 1994 | 1995 | 1994 | 2004 | 1923 | Ireland | |||||
Italy | 1994 | 1968 | 2012 | 2015 | 2004 | 2006 | 1973 | 2006 | 1994 | 1968 | 1968 | 1981 | 2006 | 1973 | 2006 | 2006 | 1968 | 2004 | 1968 | 2006 | 1986 | 2012 | 2006 | 2006 | 1986 | 1994 | 1994 | 1995 | 1994 | 2004 | 1973 | Italy | |||||
Latvia | 2004 | 2004 | 2007 | 2013 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2007 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2005 | 2004 | Latvia | |||||
Lithuania | 2004 | 2004 | 2007 | 2013 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2007 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2005 | 2004 | Lithuania | |||||
Luxembourg [a] | 1994 | 1960 | 2014 | 2015 | 2004 | 2007 | 1973 | 2007 | 1994 | 1968 | 1968 | 1981 | 2007 | 1973 | 1968 | 2007 | 2007 | 2004 | 1960 | 2007 | 1986 | 2014 | 2007 | 2007 | 1986 | 1994 | 1994 | 1995 | 1994 | 2004 | 1973 | Luxembourg | |||||
Malta | 2004 | 2004 | 2014 | 2018 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2014 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2005 | 2004 | Malta | |||||
Netherlands [38] [a] | 1994 | 1960 | 2014 | 2018 | 2004 | 2007 | 1973 | 2007 | 1994 | 1968 | 1968 | 1981 | 2007 | 1973 | 1968 | 2007 | 2007 | 1960 | 2004 | 2007 | 1986 | 2014 | 2007 | 2007 | 1986 | 1994 | 1994 | 1995 | 1994 | 2004 | 1973 | Netherlands | |||||
Poland | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2013 | 2004 | 2004 | 2007 | 2004 | 2006 | 2007 | 2007 | 2006 | 2004 | 2004 | 2006 | 2004 | 2004 | 2007 | 2004 | 2007 | 2006 | 2007 | 2004 | 2004 | 2006 | 2004 | 2006 | 2007 | 2006 | 2007 | 2004 | Poland | |||||
Portugal | 1994 | 1986 | 2009 | 2013 | 2004 | 2006 | 1986 | 2006 | 1994 | 1986 | 1986 | 1986 | 2006 | 1986 | 1986 | 2006 | 2006 | 1986 | 2004 | 1986 | 2006 | 2009 | 2006 | 2006 | 1986 | 1994 | 1994 | 1995 | 1994 | 2004 | 1986 | Portugal | |||||
Romania | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2013 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | Romania | |||||
Slovakia | 2004 | 2004 | 2007 | 2013 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2007 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2005 | 2004 | Slovakia | |||||
Slovenia | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2018 | 2004 | 2004 | 2007 | 2004 | 2006 | 2007 | 2007 | 2006 | 2004 | 2004 | 2006 | 2004 | 2004 | 2007 | 2004 | 2007 | 2004 | 2006 | 2007 | 2004 | 2006 | 2004 | 2006 | 2007 | 2006 | 2007 | 2004 | Slovenia | |||||
Spain | 1994 | 1986 | 2009 | 2015 | 2004 | 2006 | 1986 | 2006 | 1994 | 1986 | 1986 | 1986 | 2006 | 1986 | 1986 | 2006 | 2006 | 1986 | 2004 | 1986 | 2006 | 1986 | 2014 | 2006 | 2006 | 1994 | 1994 | 1995 | 1994 | 2004 | 1986 | Spain | |||||
Sweden [b] | 1994 | 1994 | 2007 | 2013 | 2004 | 2004 | 1954 | 2004 | 1954 | 1994 | 1994 | 1994 | 2004 | 1994 | 1994 | 2004 | 2004 | 1994 | 2004 | 1994 | 2004 | 1994 | 2007 | 2004 | 2004 | 1994 | 1954 | 1995 | 1954 | 2004 | 1994 | Sweden | |||||
Iceland [b] | 1994 | 1994 | 2012 | 2015 | 2004 | 2006 | 1954 | 2006 | 1954 | 1994 | 1994 | 1994 | 2006 | 1994 | 1994 | 2006 | 2006 | 1994 | 2004 | 1994 | 2006 | 1994 | 2012 | 2006 | 2006 | 1994 | 1954 | 1995 | 1954 | 2004 | 1994 | Iceland | |||||
Liechtenstein | 1995 | 1995 | 2014 | 2018 | 2004 | 2011 | 1995 | 2011 | 1995 | 1995 | 1995 | 1995 | 2011 | 1995 | 1995 | 2011 | 2011 | 1995 | 2004 | 1995 | 2011 | 1995 | 2014 | 2011 | 2011 | 1995 | 1995 | 1995 | 1995 | 2005 | 1995 | Liechtenstein | |||||
Norway [b] | 1994 | 1994 | 2012 | 2014 | 2004 | 2006 | 1954 | 2006 | 1954 | 1994 | 1994 | 1994 | 2006 | 1994 | 1994 | 2006 | 2006 | 1994 | 2004 | 1994 | 2006 | 1994 | 2012 | 2006 | 2006 | 1994 | 1954 | 1954 | 1995 | 2004 | 1994 | Norway | |||||
Switzerland [d] | 2007 | 2007 | 2016 | 2022 | 2007 | 2011 | 2007 | 2011 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2011 | 2007 | 2007 | 2011 | 2011 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2011 | 2007 | 2016 | 2011 | 2011 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2005 | 2007 | 2007 | Switzerland | |||||
United Kingdom [c] | 1994 | 1973 | 2014 | 2018 | 2004 | 2004 | 1973 | 2004 | 1994 | 1973 | 1973 | 1981 | 2004 | 1923 | 1973 | 2004 | 2004 | 1973 | 2004 | 1973 | 2004 | 1986 | 2014 | 2004 | 2004 | 1986 | 1994 | 1994 | 1995 | 1994 | 2004 | United Kingdom | |||||
no restriction on freedom of movement of workers; year of initial lifting of restrictions Liechtenstein imposes a permanent annual quota on residence permits issued, for all EEA citizens and (separately) Swiss citizens [33] restricted movement of workers reintroduced from 2021; year of initial lifting of restrictions[ citation needed ]
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The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) is a regional trade organization and free trade area consisting of four European states: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The organization operates in parallel with the European Union (EU), and all four member states participate in the European single market and are part of the Schengen Area. They are not, however, party to the European Union Customs Union.
The European Economic Area (EEA) was established via the Agreement on the European Economic Area, an international agreement which enables the extension of the European Union's single market to member states of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). The EEA links the EU member states and three of the four EFTA states into an internal market governed by the same basic rules. These rules aim to enable free movement of persons, goods, services, and capital within the European single market, including the freedom to choose residence in any country within this area. The EEA was established on 1 January 1994 upon entry into force of the EEA Agreement. The contracting parties are the EU, its member states, and Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. New members of EFTA would not automatically become party to the EEA Agreement, as each EFTA State decides on its own whether it applies to be party to the EEA Agreement or not. According to Article 128 of the EEA Agreement, "any European State becoming a member of the Community shall, and the Swiss Confederation or any European State becoming a member of EFTA may, apply to become a party to this Agreement. It shall address its application to the EEA Council." EFTA does not envisage political integration. It does not issue legislation, nor does it establish a customs union. Schengen is not a part of the EEA Agreement. However, all of the four EFTA States participate in Schengen and Dublin through bilateral agreements. They all apply the provisions of the relevant Acquis.
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The European single market, also known as the European internal market or the European common market, is the single market comprising mainly the 27 member states of the European Union (EU). With certain exceptions, it also comprises Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. The single market seeks to guarantee the free movement of goods, capital, services, and people, known collectively as the "four freedoms". This is achieved through common rules and standards that all participating states are legally committed to follow.
The EFTA Court is a supranational judicial body responsible for the three EFTA members who are also members of the European Economic Area (EEA): Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
A European Economic Area Family Permit was an immigration document that assisted the holder to enter the United Kingdom as a family member of a citizen of a contracting state to the European Economic Area agreement or a Swiss citizen. They were issued by the UK immigration authorities under the Immigration Regulations 2006 (UK).
The Citizens' Rights Directive 2004/38/EC sets out the conditions for the exercise of the right of free movement for citizens of countries in the European Economic Area (EEA), which includes the member states of the European Union (EU) and the three European Free Trade Association (EFTA) members Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein. Switzerland, which is a member of EFTA but not of the EEA, is not bound by the Directive but rather has a separate multilateral sectoral agreement on free movement with the EU and its member states.
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The Agreement Creating An Association Between The Republic of Turkey and the European Economic Community, commonly known as the Ankara Agreement, is a treaty signed in 1963 that provides for the framework for the co-operation between Turkey and the European Union (EU).
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The Immigration Regulations 2006, amended by SI 2009/1117, SI 2011/1247 and SI 2015/694 and which have now been mostly repealed and superseded by the Immigration Regulations 2016, was a piece of British legislation which implemented the right of free movement of European Economic Area (EEA) nationals and their family members in the United Kingdom. It is based on Directive 2004/38/EC. It allows EEA citizens and their family members to live and work in the UK without explicit permission. Although Swiss citizens are covered by a separate bilateral agreement; they are treated basically the same as EEA nationals. Family members may need a special entry clearance to enter the UK.
Metock v Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (2008) C-127/08 is a European Union law case, significant in Ireland and Denmark, on the Citizens Rights Directive and family unification rules for migrant citizens. Citizenship of the European Union was established by Article 20 of the Treaty on the functioning of the European Union (TFEU) and the Citizenship Directive 2004/38 elaborates the right of Union citizens and their family members to move and reside freely in the territory of a member state, consolidating previous Directives dealing with the right to move and reside within the European Community (EC).
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The Norwegian identity card, commonly referred to as the national identity card in Norway, is a non-compulsory biometric identity document issued since 30 November 2020. It is one of two official identity documents issued by the Norwegian Police Service, the other being the Norwegian passport. It is only issued to Norwegian citizens, and may indicate citizenship so that it can be used as a travel document facilitating freedom of movement within the European Free Trade Association and the European Economic Area. For travel within the Nordic countries no identity documentation is legally required for Nordic citizens due to the Nordic Passport Union.
Passports of the EFTA member states are passports issued by the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) member states Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. EFTA is in this article used as a common name for these countries.
The Immigration Regulations 2016, or EEA Regulations 2016 for short, constituted the law that implemented the right of free movement of European Economic Area (EEA) nationals and their family members in the United Kingdom. The regulations were repealed by the Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination Act 2020 on 31 December 2020, at the end of the transition period.
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