The free movement of people: principle, stakes and challenges

The free movement of people is a fundamental acquis of European integration. Introduced as part of the internal market it assumed a wider dimension with the Schengen Agreements. And yet real difficulties have affected the dynamic of free movement. It has suffered due to the slowing of the internal market and the serious impact of the crisis. It is also suffering due to rising concern about external migratory pressure in a context of enlargement. In particular this is encouraging fears of social dumping. Pinpointing these difficulties is vital if we are to provide pragmatic answers without endangering the founding principle. Free movement reveals a major challenge to the economic and social convergence which the European Union has to overcome.