Perceptions of the Impact of Immigration and Attitudes Towards Free Movement Within the EU : A Cross-National Study

• Freedom of movement is a fundamental right for EU-citizens. This right is essentially related to immigration, as EU citizens are allowed to travel, work, and reside in any part of the Schengen area. This study analyses the relation between immigration attitudes and attitudes toward free movement. This is done with a special focus on the perceived impact of different migration groups from inside and outside of the EU.Using an online survey in seven EU countries (Germany, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden, and the UK) we assed attitudes toward freedom of movement in the EU in relation to perceived impact from immigrants of Africa, the Middle East, as well as Eastern and Western Europe. Results show that immigration is rather perceived as a threat than a benefit, especially concerning crime and safety impacts. Perceived impact from the four migration groups are negatively associated with attitudes toward freedom of movement, with small differences between the countries under study.

Subject headings

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Medie- och kommunikationsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Media and Communications (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Free movement

Immigration

Perceptions of Immigration

Impact of Immigration

Immigration Attitudes

Public Opinion

Comparative Research

Freedom of Movement

Immigration

immigration attitudes

Intra EU-mobility

Comparative Research

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

rap (subject category)