Free movement of workers (EU citizens)

Do I need a work permit?
If you are an EU citizen, whether you need a work permit in Germany depends on whether you come from one of the older EU member states or from one of the more recent members, as differences may apply.

The old member states of the EU are:

• Austria
• Belgium
• Denmark
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Great Britain
• Greece
• Ireland
• Italy
• Luxemburg
• Netherlands
• Portugal
• Spain
• Sweden

The new member states of the EU are:

The following countries joined in 2004, when the EU was extended to the east:

• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Estonia
• Hungary
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Malta
• Poland
• Slovakia
• Slovenia

In 2007, Bulgaria and Romania also joined. These 12 countries are referred to as the new member states.

The right of free movement of workers applies to citizens of the old member states. This means that they can choose their place of work freely throughout the EU.

Germany is among the countries with transitional arrangements for the central and eastern European countries that joined in the major expansion in 2004. Citizens of Malta and Cyprus have enjoyed the right of free movement since their countries became members, but citizens of the other ten countries still need a work permit in Germany.

»2+3+2 model«
The expansion to Eastern Europe was accompanied by what was known as the “2+3+2 model”. The old member states were allowed to decide to limit the rights of free movement for the citizens of the new member states for two years. After reviewing the position, an extension of three years would be allowed. However, the restriction would need to be abolished by 2011 for the states that joined in 2004 (and by 2014 for those that joined in 2007), making an additional two years.

NOTE:
All EU citizens, regardless of whether their country of nationality is an old or new member, have the right of free travel. All EU citizens and their families are therefore allowed to spend up to three months in another member state, for example in order to look for work. All that is required is a valid identity card or passport.