Poland’s Perspective on the Intra-European Movement of Poles. Implications and Governance Responses

Abstract

The possibility of free movement for Poles has increased with Poland joining the European Union and the Schengen Area. This chapter provides the perspective of Poland as a migrant sending country on intra-European movement. It characterizes the migration corridors between Poland and urban regions in Austria, the Netherlands and Sweden. It concentrates on the Dutch-Polish corridor, with the highest intensity and largest post-2004 movement of Poles. The chapter analyses the implications of intra-European movement of Poles for Poland, and in particular for sending urban regions to the Netherlands. It provides important examples of regional and trans-national migration governance from the Dutch-Polish corridor. It also reflects upon the link between the EU freedom of movement and the migration of third-country nationals to Poland.