The Netherlands To Restrict Croatian Workers When They Join EU

The Netherlands is the latest nation to join a host of EU member states to enforce restrictions on Croatian workers once they join the EU on 1 July 2013. Croats will require work permits to work in the Netherlands and they will have to wait at least 2-years before a decision is made on the removal of the restriction.

The Dutch government said that high unemployment in the Netherlands was the main reason for the decision. In January the German government announced that they too would impose restrictions on Croat workers for at least two years. The maximum period the restrictions can remain in place for is 7 years and the UK government have already indicated that they will enforce the restrictions for the full 7 years for Croatian workers.

France and Austria are also predicted to follow the UK example as the majority of EU member states are not interested in opening up its labour market to Croatians.