Press Release: Europeans move for love and a better quality of life

Following a partner, being with family and having a better quality of life are the main factors that motivate Europeans to move to another country, new research shows. Of the 2% of European citizens who live in a country other than their own, only a quarter move because of employment. 1 in 2 has previously lived abroad, often with support from European programmes such as ERASMUS. The study noticed differences in motivating factors and profiles of those moving from one country to another. Spain is a primary destination for the older generation seeking a better quality of life, whereas the UK was a target for younger people seeking non-manual work. The profile of the average migrant within the EU is middle-class, skilled and well-educated, who generally has non-manual work in the country of destination, and has a positive attitude to the EU. The PIONEUR project, funded with just under €1m from the EU’s Research Framework Programme, studied the profile and attitudes of 5000 EU nationals resident in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK.