Altering EU free movement of workers in light of further enlargement: A common interest for the Netherlands and Western Balkans?

The European Policy Centre (CEP), in partnership with the Clingendael Institute (Netherlands), Institute Alternative (Montenegro), and the Foreign Policy Initiative (Bosnia and Herzegovina), is working on a project that explores the future of labour mobility in the context of the EU’s enlargement. With Western Balkan countries on the path to EU membership, the freedom of movement for workers is a critical topic. This project examines how proposed EU reforms—particularly those restricting labour mobility for new member states—might affect the region.

The project seeks to address the growing concerns around migration and brain drain from the Western Balkans while assessing how the mentioned restrictions could influence the attractiveness of EU membership. By collecting data through interviews with stakeholders in Serbia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, the project aims to present an evidence-based analysis of these challenges and provide policy recommendations.

Ultimately, this project will contribute to shaping a balanced approach to EU enlargement that considers both the interests of current member states and the aspirations of candidate countries.