Poland on the Move
Migration after EU Accession
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
There was a great deal of fear in Germany when the labour market for the new EU countries was opened. Developments since 2004 show that migration from Poland to those EU countries that opened their labour markets first differs from “traditional” labour migration. The migrants are predominantly young, well-educated Poles who often settle abroad only temporarily. Such an influx is economically beneficial to the countries affected. German reluctance to open up its labour market could prove to be counterproductive. A high migration of Polish skilled workers to Germany is hardly to be expected.
(Osteuropa 5-6/2011, pp. 175–188)