Europe Immigration News

There was much controversy in Switzerland about work rights for Romanians and Bulgarians workers. There were concerns about letting in more foreign workers at a time of economic uncertainty. The good news is that despite this Swiss voters recently approved an expanded labor deal with the European Union that will allow Bulgarians and Romanians to work in Switzerland.

On 12 December, Switzerland added its name to the list of countries that have adopted the Schengen Agreement and In doing so became the 25th member of the group, which has no border controls for people passing between member states and a single external border.

A net inflow of migrants helped push the population of the European Union close to half a billion people in 2008 according to figures released this week in Brussels.

The Irish Government is to consider the introduction of new visa requirements for visitors from 11 non-EU countries, a move which would reflect the possible stance of the UK authorities.

The countries involved, namely Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Lesotho, Malaysia, Mauritius, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela, have already been targeted by the British Home Office following a 'Visa Waiver Test'.

According to El Pais, a major Spanish news outlet, a total of 702,000 immigrants came to Spain during 2007 -- largest intake of immigrants out of all European Union countries during that year.