A-Z of EU membership harmonization: Travelling and working in the EU

Starting May 1, 2004, customs control on the Polish-EU border will cease to operate. However, passport controls will be lifted after Poland signs the so-called Schengen Treaty which envisages joint protection of external borders. This requires a unanimous agreement of the remaining EU countries which should take place after 2006. After signing the Treaty, Poles will be able to travel freely across the EU with simply an identity card. Poles will have the right to work in every EU country seven years after Poland's EU membership. However, several countries including Great Britain, Holland, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, Greece have decided to open their job markets on May 1, 2004. Similarly, Poland has the right to prohibit the employment of EU citizens, although such a move might curb foreign investment in Poland and hence a move the government is unlikely to take. (Rzeczpospolita, December 14-15, 2002, p. A4) A.Z.