European migration policies are characterised by a fundamental paradox: While the barriers for the free mobility of labour have been largely removed within the EU, the regulation of immigration from third countries remains in the domain of national policies of the individual Member States....

Negative perceptions about migrants in Europe, the Continent with the largest social policy programmes, are driven by concerns that foreigners are a net fiscal burden. Increasing concerns are pressing Governments, in the midst of the recession, to reduce welfare access by migrants or further...