Cross-Border mobility in Europe. Issues and State of the Art

Abstract

Mobility is identified as the key element by European Council for achieving goals of the revised Lisbon strategy and for the implementation of the European Employment Strategy . Mobility patterns are traditionally selective. They may differ considerably with regards to motivation, age, level of skills and experiences. Historical ties also seem to play a lasting role in the shaping and importance of cross-border movements . Recent research on cross-border mobility has identified three parameters which determine decisions to move between living and working places: wage and income differentials; employment opportunities; individual opportunity and risk assessment. With regard to cross-border mobility, an important role is attached to the regional distribution of economic wealth and the chances of finding gainful employment . In Europe, cross-border commuting is an increasing phenomenon . In 2013 the total number commuters were about 1.6 million, which further increased to 1.9million in 2015 and to 2.1 million in 2019 . The process of European integration based on historical steps as the establishment of the Schengen Area and the Euro currency, as well as the abolition of systematic border controls, fostered the growing permeability of national borders .