How should the EU deal with migrants?

The UK government has agreed a deal granting access to jobs and benefits for people from new EU member states.

Britain and Ireland are now the only two existing EU members to allow migrants from the likes of Poland and the Czech Republic the right to work from 1 May.

The agreed UK package is believed to include a work permit scheme, but restricts benefits for workers from the new members.

The European Parliament's president Pat Cox has warned existing EU countries to take a more generous approach to the new accession states, insisting fears of an influx of people are exaggerated.

How should EU member states deal with migrants? Should more existing members open their borders to workers? What will be the overall impact of EU enlargement?

This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

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The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far:

I hope and pray that prosperity and higher standards of living spread east to our new partners Steve O'Grady, Alicante, Spain

18 months ago, tired of the London rat race I migrated to Alicante, Spain. I work for a local English language newspaper (as there are quite a few thousand of us Brits living here). I have a social security number which also entitles me to free medicare under the Spanish health system and I have just bought my first apartment, by the beach I might add, on a complex with a swimming pool, try that in London) with the mortgage I obtained from my Spanish bank! I say three cheers to the EU for making it possible for me to have a better quality of life! I hope and pray that prosperity and higher standards of living spread east to our new partners.
Steve O'Grady, Alicante, Spain

Freedom of movement of labour is one of the underlying principles of the EU. If the union continues to seek growth by admitting more countries it must allow citizens of those countries the freedom to work anywhere.
Pete, Amersfoort, NL

Although I do understand the concerns that Western Europe has about immigration, I find it absolutely appalling that we, the citizens of the accession states are basically being treated like some greedy mob that only wants to cash in on the precious benefits in the UK, France etc.
Max, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Nothing will change on 1 May Martina, Kehl, Germany

The EU allows more members in. Fine. Hopefully it will boost the standard of living in those countries. The EU border will move eastward. Slovakians and Poles will find it easier to travel westward to places like Austria or Germany. They've been doing this for years already trying to find work on the black market since life in their home countries has become expensive and wages are very low. For those people nothing will change on 1 May.

However, meeting friends or relatives or simply doing trade with the eastern European countries that will be outside the EU from May 1, has already become more difficult with strict border controls on the eastern fringe of the new EU. This is all very well for the countries at the core of Europe but it may destroy traditional exchanges of all sorts further east. Brussels bureaucracy will reign in far flung places such as eastern Slovakia. Does this make sense? Will this boost peace and democracy? I doubt it.
Martina, Kehl, Germany

This is yet another false argument. The problem is not immigrants, it is an over-generous welfare state that breeds a non-productive 'sponger' class. Get rid of this and all you will get at your shores are eager, entrepreneurial immigrants. Get rid of the government subsidy to sit around and do nothing.
Kesiena, London, UK

Review the right to benefit of all those who make a mockery of our over-generous system Toni, UK

Boundaries between countries are purely artificial, and I make no distinction between an honest, hard-working "immigrant" wanting to avail themselves of opportunities in the UK and an honest, hard-working person lucky enough to be born here. At the same time, I make no distinction between any freeloading Brits who we pamper to already, and those of similar ilk who will potentially arrive. Review the right to benefit of all those who make a mockery of our over-generous system.
Toni, UK

EU citizenship gives you certain rights. One of these is the right to work anywhere within the EU, this also applies to citizens of the new EU member states. The Europhobes and racists always rant on about 'foreigners' taking our jobs. Equally being a member of the EU allows us to travel abroad and take a 'foreigners' job. These things work both ways, but there are too many people in this country who are only prepared to take and are far too busy navel gazing to see the bigger picture.
Paul Armstrong, Workington

I come from the Czech Republic. Our government has to do everything that EU says. Our prices, taxes grow up - just because of EU. Two months before we join EU is UK the only country that allows us to work there. Everyone is expecting a big mass of people from East. But it's not easy to live in the country if you don't speak English, if you don't have accommodation and so on. I don't know why the other EU countries are so scared. By the way, we want to be in the first line- not the second one. We can't change our communist history. The ordinary people couldn't change it. And west didn't help us.
Lucie Stankova, Ostrava, Czech Republic

A genuine refugee is always entitled to protection, an illegal alien or an overstayer is not welcome Peter, Middlesbrough

Government studies have shown that the economic population of Britain is 35 million. Pro-immigration groups say Britain needs immigrants because our labour force is shrinking. Tell that to the unemployed. If we have a genuine shortage in any field then fixed term work permits can be issued. A genuine refugee is always entitled to protection, an illegal alien or an overstayer is not welcome. People want security for themselves and their children.
Peter, Middlesbrough

The UK needs to be tougher but also fairer. There is free movement within Europe but we shouldn't have to shell out benefits to people who have not contributed to the country. Those that come to England looking for work must be able to support themselves and any dependents they bring with them. The Government must realise that most of the population has a growing concern over the issue of migration and does not feel that enough is being done to stop illegal immigrants and legal benefit tourists.
Marc, Singapore (ex UK)

It is time they get something in return Dan, London

I'm a Hungarian and have paid taxes and National Insurance in the UK for four years without taking a penny through benefits. The EU is also about solidarity, and this is why other European countries have supported Scottish, Welsh regions and Ireland for decades. The new countries have long had to open their borders to European trade, which often meant that poorer people had to make sacrifices for your economic growth and wealth. It is time they get something in return. Equal treatment, that is!
Dan, London, UK

How can a country like Britain that currently has a 55 - 60 million population hope to grant access to jobs and benefits from new EU members? Our roads are already congested, the rail system doesn't work, the National Health Service is in disarray and we also have a housing shortage. Sorry, I don't understand the logic.
Roger, UK

Abolish all those benefits which pay people to not work. That way the hard working migrants will come here but not the scroungers.
Rob Basak, UK

The UK is overpopulated. We are already having problems with housing, transport, the NHS, and education. How will mass immigration improve this? Our quality of life will only continue to deteriorate if numbers are not limited.
mike, Hove, England

migrant workers are needed, people willing to take the jobs which need filling should be given a two year work permit and not able to claim benefits for two years, then if they have caused no problems i.e. crime etc then they should be given a temp citizenship for another three with some benefits and only then have the same rights as the rest of us.
Marty, England

Europeans who want to build a "superstate" to challenge America should consider that except for a small fraction of the population of the US we call "Native Americans," everybody in America is an immigrant or descended from immigrants who came from all over the world. Any rational analysis of American strength and power must consider that the more or less peaceful integration of these populations of diverse backgrounds lies at the core of what America is about.
Mark, USA

When I said YES in Czech referendum about EU I expected united Europe with SAME rights. I don't want be a second class European citizen! Why Should I be penalized because I was born east of the German border? I couldn't influence the Europe configuration after the second war!
Pavel, Brno, The Czech Republic

It is unrealistic to expect that any stringent government measures will prevent immigrants from coming Denitza Bojinova, Sofia, Bulgaria

I would like to make four points. First, from a rational point of view, it is unrealistic to expect that any stringent government measures will prevent immigrants from coming. Therefore, it is more pragmatic for governments to try to control the process rather than halt it altogether. Second, from an ethical point of view, behind every immigrant there is a personal story of suffering, misery, love or a simple human desire for a better opportunity. Immigrants do not come to be abusers, free riders or cultural intruders. Third, Britain has really promoted its image throughout Eastern Europe for being a benign and supportive friend of European expansion. Fourth, the sooner Europe expands and integrates the new members of the EU, the more beneficial it will be for its global competitiveness. I congratulate the British government for its position on immigration!
Denitza Bojinova, Sofia, Bulgaria

After much effort and form filling I managed to work in Australia - my employer had to prove that he hadn't been able to recruit an Australian to do my job. When I converted my long stay visa to permanent residency I had to agree that I couldn't claim benefits for two years. Seems reasonable to me - if you can't support yourself and your family for 24 months you obviously don't have much to offer the destination country.
Jackie, Australia (ex UK)

First priority should be given to those people in the new countries joining the EU. Their successful integration will help all of Europe. People outside the EU illegally entering Europe should be returned to the nearest safe country they are from.
Louise, Sydney, Australia

Any jobs generated in this country should be allocated to the indigenous population R Steward, UK

I do not agree with this plan. Any jobs generated in this country should be allocated to the indigenous population. It is interesting to note that when I go around my local area I only ever see any "menial" jobs being done by Anglo Saxon Britons so where are these migrant workers willing to do the menial tasks? Perhaps they are spending all their time queuing up for benefits!
R Steward, UK

If the migrants are in the EU, and apply to the country of their choice to live in legally, they should be allowed to work, and live, and migrate there. That is what the EU should stand for.
F. Williamson, Middlesbrough, England

It is quite simple. The government should allow access to those which are needed for manual labour or more highly skilled work because they will add to and improve the economy.
Sam, Sutton Coldfield, England

How can we need more people to come here has it gone unnoticed that thousands of jobs are being lost on a daily basis. What about the rights of those who belong to this country. Why do MPs continue to ignore the wishes of the people? Anyone with sense Knows that if there continues to be the present influx of people there is bound to be civil unrest. The theory put forward that it needs more people to support the future pension needs then that means the numbers will always need to grow to sustain the growing numbers simple maths.
John Whitehouse, Birmingham

Migrants who come here to work are very welcome as they will pay tax and add to the economy of the country. If more and more students go to university as Blair is planning then we will need people to do the unskilled jobs as the next generation will be overqualified.
Michelle, Northampton

My name is Milan. I grew up in Slovakia. Wars and political regimes broke Europe into parts and the current development gives hope that the European continent will become much stronger and united in the near future. New EU members are bringing huge market opportunities and potential for economic growth in the EU.
Milan, Toronto, Canada

What will matter is education, skills and personality Robert Knyzewski, Poland

Sooner or later the job markets of every European country will be open to all its citizens. It will not matter much if you are from Poland, Hungary or Sweden. What will matter is education, skills and personality. It is just a matter of time. Let's be patient.
Robert Knyzewski, Poland

If the EU is trying to develop fairer employment rights, perhaps it should also insist that each EU country has an equal benefits system.
Chris, Birmingham, UK

It should be left to member states who they admit into their own country. I cannot accept that Brussels can dictate to the UK how to run its internal labour market. The UK should admit who it requires and they come by invitation certainly not by right.
Mike Hall, Chipping Norton, UK

If the U.K. government had grasped the immigration nettle many years ago, we would not be in this position. They have spent too long ignoring the problem and now certain parts of our cities are out of control.
Mark Walkling, Beckenham Kent

The immigrant workers are not sponging the society but are helpful to keep the country going P.A.Paskaran, Hythe, Southampton

People are talking about their jobs being taken away by the immigrants. They don't understand that the jobs most of the immigrants do are so menial and low paid the locals won't even think about them, leave alone refusing. Only if they visit the job centres they will know this. The immigrant workers are not sponging the society but are helpful to keep the country going. Why whinge instead of looking at positively?
P.A.Paskaran, Hythe, Southampton

Are things so different in Europe? There are certainly some people in the US who are troubled by huge numbers of migrant workers, but most people know these folks come here and work incredibly hard at jobs most of us don't want to do. We need them. What's the difference in Europe?
Shawn, Washington, DC, USA

When everybody in this country is in full employment then we should allow these people in we should not allow ourselves to be flooded by migrant workers
DAVID CHERRY, Lanark, Scotland

This really is not that difficult, will they earn the country money by paying taxes or will they take money from us in benefits? Only let in people with trades or skills like doctors, nurses or even plumbers so both countries benefit. They get a well paid job and we get skilled workers.
Neil D, Amsterdam, Holland

It is unlikely that we will experience a large influx of migrants from the new member states. After all the UK is not experiencing a huge outflow to France or Spain where the cost of living is lower and quality of life is better. If the EU is to be an integrated community then how can it impose these restrictions?
David, Winchester, UK

How can these countries develop if we take away their skilled people and workforce?
Roger Morgan Freedlan, Whitwick England

The only solution to this lies with Europe and the worlds other great economic powers. Change EU economic, trade and agricultural policies that keep poorer countries from developing. If people were given a decent chance to prosper at home, why would they want to leave to come to a cold and unfriendly Europe?
Andrew Cover, UK

EU Members have free movement and options within the EU. However, we are going to put restrictions on new EU members while we are still going to remain a soft touch for illegal immigrants. Hmmm... yes, that makes sense!
Trevor, Colchester, UK

If we are going to have globalisation for goods, we must also have it for people for it to be fair Tim, Bath, England

To restrict the new EU citizens from accessing our jobs and benefits whilst at the same time opening our borders to cheap imports from these countries is fundamentally selfish. Why should we benefit from their poverty and low wages whilst denying them the opportunity to benefit from our wealth? If we are going to have globalisation for goods, we must also have it for people for it to be fair.
Tim, Bath, England

Train them up as dentists.
Gareth, Brighton

There is no problem with migrants. They will help pay my pension and contribute to the rich and varied culture of our society. What I have a problem with is single, under-30, unemployed men coming in the dozens creating a misbalanced society and naturally when bored, creating havoc.
DS, UK

The EU should come up with a proper population policy which uses migration as one way of balancing power between its states and cities and improving living standards throughout the continent. Substantial, but properly regulated migration into rich, sparsely-populated states like Sweden, Finland and Ireland will be positive for those countries and Europe. Overcrowded countries like Germany and Britain, however, already have too much power and all of Europe would benefit from those states exporting, not importing people.
Desmond Brennan, Perth, Australia

All EU residents should have the SAME rights, there are no first and second class European citizens. If I can live and work anywhere in the EU with a Spanish passport, why can't a Pole or a Czech?
Anna, Madrid, Spain

I believe that no benefits should be paid to anyone who has not worked for at least six months. Plus there should be no appeal when asylum seekers have their request denied. They should be repatriated immediately.
Keith Rumley, Poole, Dorset

I feel dismayed by the reckless EU expansion Hussain Kodali, Doha

It's surprising why some existing EU countries shouldn't open their borders to workers from the new EU member states. Why do you take someone unequal on board if you can't treat them equally in all respects. I feel dismayed by the reckless EU expansion.
Hussain Kodali, Doha, Qatar

Give them work permits, let them work wherever, pay their taxes, but benefits should be restricted to those which they could legally claim in their country of origin. There is little point to encourage migrant workers to hang around in another country without a job.
Graeme Morrison, Moscow, Russia

The EU is mocking itself, its founding principles, and all EU members by the policy not to allow freedom of movement within its member states.
Jurgen W Schulze, Miami, USA

The UK government should be commended for the way they are treating migrants Gary, Ipswich

The UK government should be commended for the way they are treating migrants. Some countries treat migrants with contempt, as they have preconceived ideas they are stealing work. The EU should just follow the UK's lead by providing migrants with jobs that will help them settling in a foreign country.
Gary, Ipswich

People who bring benefit to the country are great. People who come here just for benefits should not be allowed in. We pay enough into the EU each year without then having to pay even more to those who don't want to help themselves.
Duncan, Salisbury, UK

I spent some time in Poland over the summer and can tell you their standard of living for the most part is roughly equal to ours. Obviously this is just one of the new member states who will be joining but also happens to be the biggest. People don't earn as much but things are far cheaper. I feel the government are using this "issue" as a smoke screen for the real issue which is thousands of illegal non EU immigrants that pour in to this country every day and are weighing down our benefits system.
Richard Fforbes, Warwickshire

Admit only those with work permits. Make sure that their credentials are bone-fide. No Benefits for two years. Our own citizens cannot obtain satisfactory health care, the influx of more people will only worsen the situation.
Ronald Rodgers, Milton Keynes UK

Migration brings long-term economic benefits - this has been shown historically. Right now we are benefiting from this in SE England. Perhaps the solution is not to allow migration at all.
Paul Smith, London, UK

I am a Czech medical doctor (ITU Specialist). I used to live and work legally for three years in Britain, where I participated in some medical research. I worked hard, paid taxes and never claimed any benefits. My partner is British. We hoped that from 1st May I would be entitled to work in Britain without any administrative difficulty. We are feared what will be situation now. I want to work hard, use all my skills and professional abilities and contributed by my work for society welfare. Should I be penalised because I was born east of the German border?
Ivana, Prague, Czech Republic

Asylum seekers are prepared to trek across most of Western Europe to the UK because they know that we're a soft touch Wayne Smallman, England

What I find most odd is the fact that asylum seekers pass through many countries on their way to the UK. I hate to trivialize such a situation, but if I have to be down and out, at least be down and out where the sun shines like the south of France or Spain. This suggests to me that asylum seekers are prepared to trek across most of Western Europe to the UK because they know that we're a soft touch. Sure there's a lot of suffering in the world, but why must UK taxpayers foot the bill at each and every turn?
Wayne Smallman, England, UK

How can these individuals be migrants if their countries are about to be part of the EU? Surely they will be EU citizens and entitled to all the benefits that the rest of us take for granted.
GM, UK

Set yearly limits that are in the best interest of each state. After the limit is met each year, with the exception of people seeking asylum, send them back home. This will result in a reduction of brain drain from the migrant's native country. In the long run they will be forced to act collectively to change the political and economic situation at home.
Joe, Kingston, Jamaica

Give them jobs. With an aging population and sink estates full of the feckless (and shameless) we need somebody with the ambition to travel halfway around the world to improve themselves. Who else is going to pay for our pensions and health care in the next 50 years?
Craig Harry, Liverpool, England

These people are not migrants, they are EU citizens travelling within the EU.
Gerry, Scotland

My tax and NI will go to support one of these new EU immigrants when they arrive Ettenuahs, Swindon

I am of non-EU nationality in the UK on a work permit. I work legally and pay taxes and National Insurance as does any EU/British National. Yet there is a stamp in my passport telling me that I have no recourse to public funds. This means that if I lose my job I possibly can't claim benefits and if I were to go back home I wouldn't be entitled to any benefits haven't not made tax or NI contributions there in 6 years. So it seems that my tax and NI will go to support one of these new EU immigrants when they arrive. I bet they get NHS dentistry too!
Ettenuahs, Swindon, UK

If they were to standardise taxes and benefits there would be little point in any immigrant passing through other countries to reach UK Bruce Allan, Colchester

One would expect that in a common market where all are supposed to be equal we should also have to pay equal taxes and have equal taxes on items such as cars, beer, tobacco, wine etc. We have none of those. If they were to standardise taxes and benefits there would be little point in any immigrant passing through other countries to reach UK.
Bruce Allan, Colchester, UK

The policy of EU expansion has been no secret, nor has the liberty of movement for the residents of EU countries. This liberty is meant to work both way, UK passport holders can choose to work in The Netherlands and Polish ones in the UK. If people don't like what the EU is doing to their lives then perhaps they would feel more comfortable voting for a EU sceptic party at the next election.
Nick, The Netherlands

I think that this issue is way overblown. I cannot talk for the Czechs or Poles but as far as my county is concerned, I do not know of a person who would be willing to go to England to work or get benefits (very few would even consider working somewhere else in the EU). In our eyes, UK is a county with the worst social security system in Europe. I would probably have more benefits at home than in the UK.
Damjan Franz, Slovenia

Migration brings long-term economic benefits - this has been shown historically. Right now we are benefiting from this in SE England. Perhaps the solution is not to regulate migration tightly at all: New York only benefited.
Martin, London, UK

One rule for us, another for them Carrie, London

I am planning to move to Sweden with my Swedish husband who has been living and working in the UK for seven years now, and have to fill out pages and pages of personal information about my marriage and also have to prove I have thousands of pounds in savings so I do not attempt to claim Swedish benefits. How can this be right or 'fair' when I am an EU citizen who has paid taxes here in the UK for several years and who has never yet needed any benefits at all, yet apparently migrants from other 'new EU' countries can come to the UK and claim. One rule for us, another for them.
Carrie, London, UK

The EU should centralise and standardise benefits Steve Linton, Fife, UK

The EU should centralise and standardise benefits. Then there isn't a problem - people will get the same benefits whether they live in Birmingham or Belgrade, and they will be paid for by taxes applied uniformly across Europe.
Steve Linton, Fife, UK

I do not understand. We are allowing migrants in to work here, while I am shortly to be made redundant so my job can go to India. Would it not be more sensible for these migrants to stay in their own countries, and outsource the jobs to them?
Jon S, Reading, UK

It took nearly two years for me to receive a green card here in the states. This is required for working and residency. I know that the US has huge problems with illegal immigrants here, and I just hope that this deal with Eastern European states does not bleed the British economy or cause a mass of cheap labour to flood the market.
Peter Cotterill, Washington DC, USA

We have a Czech au-pair/student who currently requires an annual visa and is restricted to working 20 hours per week. She is very confused as she wants to work and live in the UK but fears that she will be restricted in some way, which may force her to return home. I hope the government has taken this kind of situation into consideration, as people like this already pay taxes.
Jon, UK

We welcome people who intend to pay their way but we are not a soft touch Kathy, UK

Migrants should be allowed to work in the UK, but they should already have a contract of employment before they travel. Benefits should only be payable in line with what an individual has paid into the British system in income tax. This would prevent the obvious loophole of seasonal workers coming here to pick fruit for July, August and September and then living the rest of the year on benefits. Healthcare should be charged back to the home country. The message has to be: we welcome people who intend to pay their way but we are not a soft touch. I think the government's ruling will have to be changed.
Kathy, UK

I'm sure the vast majority of Czechs and Poles are decent people and would be willing to work hard over here if they so desire. This is a good thing too since the UK is lacking a lot of key skills such as plumbers and electricians, whereas I imagine these skills are more abundant in the new EU countries. However I am concerned about reports of people from these countries arriving by the busload for the sole purpose of claiming UK benefits. I'd prefer it if our government said that yes, migrants from these countries are entitled to jobs in the UK, but not to claim benefits unless they've been working and paying tax here for at least a year.
Richard, UK

In a rare example of migrant contra-flow, my next door neighbour - an English teacher - bucked the expected trend and emigrated to Poland last year! So we can balance the figures by subtracting one from the predicted influx. If the dark utterances of the worst case scenario predictors are to be believed, my ex-neighbour will soon have Poland all to himself.
Chris Hunter, Bedford, UK

Follow Holland's lead RS, London, UK

The answer is obvious - follow Holland's lead. They have obviously realised that opening borders leads to problems and are now sensibly solving those issues by the only means possible - deportation.
RS, London, UK

As usual from this government, it's too little too late. A discussion on how to route out illegal immigrants already here and deport them should be a priority in conjunction with tightening up our borders.
Kay, Bracknell, England

I am Spanish and have been living in the UK for over six years. As an EU citizen, I have been working legally and paying taxes from day one and even though I have never claimed benefits and I do not intend to, the government - as far as I understand and according to information leaflets I have requested from the Home Office - does not support benefit claims from citizens from (Western) EU countries, aka France, Spain, Germany and so on. This means that if I lose my job I'd have to go back to Spain and leave my English partner, or alternatively marry him. My question is: will the same rules apply to people from new member states? I very much doubt so. Double standards all around.
Anon, London, UK