Immigration Law · European Union
Move, Work and Live Freely: Your EU Freedom of Movement Rights, Protected
EU citizens and their family members have the right to move and reside freely across the Union — but those rights are not automatic, and authorities do not always honour them. We match you, free of charge, with a lawyer who handles free-movement cases and can help you and your family secure the residence and recognition you are entitled to.
- EU citizens & family members
- Residence & registration disputes
- No fee to get matched
No commitment. No hidden fees.
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Who this is for
Free movement is a right on paper — but you often have to fight for it in practice
Freedom of movement is one of the fundamental rights of the European Union: citizens of one member state may travel to, live in and work in another, and are joined in this by certain family members, including non-EU relatives. The right is powerful but not unconditional, and in practice it is often the source of confusion and dispute. Workers, jobseekers, students and self-sufficient residents all have distinct conditions to meet, and the paperwork — registration certificates, residence documents, and the recognition of qualifications and social-security entitlements — varies by country. Family members, especially non-EU spouses and partners, frequently face extra hurdles. When an authority wrongly refuses registration, delays a document, or questions a family member’s status, the consequences for daily life can be severe. A lawyer who understands both EU law and the host country’s procedures can untangle these disputes and enforce the rights the Treaties guarantee.
Where free-movement rights break down
The right exists on paper.
Getting it recognised is another matter.
EU law grants the rights, but national offices, employers and landlords don’t always apply them correctly.
Family members refused
Non-EU family members of EU citizens are frequently refused residence documents or visas despite holding valid free-movement rights. These refusals often stem from misapplied rules or missing paperwork rather than a genuine lack of entitlement.
Registration delays & refusals
Host countries are entitled to require registration, but the process is often slow, bureaucratic and inconsistently applied. A wrong or delayed decision can block access to work, housing and services even when your right is clear.
Rights not recognised in practice
Even well-established rights — to work, to equal treatment, to bring your family — are sometimes ignored by employers, landlords or officials who do not understand free-movement law. Enforcing them usually requires formal legal action.
What you get
A lawyer who turns your EU rights into recognised reality
We only match you with lawyers who handle EU free-movement and family-rights cases regularly in your host country.
Rights assessment
Your lawyer reviews your nationality, family situation and activity — work, study or self-sufficiency — and explains precisely which free-movement rights you and your family hold in your host country.
Registration & documents
Your lawyer handles the registration and residence-document applications for you and your family members, ensuring the correct forms and evidence are submitted to the right authority the first time.
Family reunification
If your non-EU spouse, partner, children or parents are being refused entry or residence, your lawyer enforces their derivative free-movement rights and challenges unlawful refusals.
Disputes & appeals
When an authority wrongly refuses, delays or withdraws a document, your lawyer challenges the decision through the correct national or EU channels and represents you until your rights are respected.
Coverage
Free-movement lawyers across Europe
Free movement is an EU-wide right, but each host country implements it through its own registration and residence procedures. We match cases with lawyers who know both EU law and the local practice, across the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
EU freedom of movement — common questions
Who benefits from EU freedom of movement?
Citizens of EU member states, and in certain situations their family members — including non-EU spouses, partners, children and dependent relatives — when they move to or reside in another member state. The exact scope of family rights depends on EU law and the specific circumstances.
Do I need to register when I move to another EU country?
In most countries, yes — EU citizens are usually required to register with the local authorities after a certain period, and family members may need a residence document. The requirements and timelines vary by country, and a lawyer can confirm exactly what applies to you.
Can my non-EU spouse live with me in another EU country?
Generally yes. EU law gives non-EU family members of mobile EU citizens a right to accompany or join them and to reside in the host country, though a visa and residence document are usually still required. Refusals in this area are common and often successfully challenged.
What are my rights if I lose my job in another EU country?
EU workers retain residence rights in many situations after losing a job, for example while seeking new work or if temporarily unable to work. The exact protections depend on how long you have worked and your circumstances, and a lawyer can clarify your specific position.
Does freedom of movement apply equally in all EU countries?
The right itself is the same across the Union, but how each country implements it — registration procedures, documents and enforcement — varies. This is why problems are often practical rather than legal, and why a lawyer familiar with the specific host country is valuable.
What can I do if an authority wrongly refuses my registration?
You can usually challenge the decision through an appeal or complaint, and in some cases through EU-level remedies. A lawyer can assess the refusal, identify the error, and pursue the correct procedure to have your rights recognised.
Free case review
Your free-movement rights are guaranteed — but only if you enforce them
Tell us your situation and we’ll connect you, free of charge, with a lawyer who handles EU free-movement cases in the country where you want to settle.