International & regional mobility
What is free movement of workers in the EU?
Short answer
Free movement of workers is an EU right that lets citizens of an EU country work in another EU country without a work permit, under the same conditions as that country's own nationals.
As an EU citizen you do not need a work permit to take a job — employed or self-employed — in any other EU country. You are also entitled to equal treatment with local workers in access to jobs, working conditions, pay and social advantages. The right extends across the EU and, in practice, to the wider EEA (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) and Switzerland.
Free movement is a general rule, not a guarantee of a specific job, and some points still depend on national law — for example, certain public-sector posts can be reserved for nationals, and if your profession is regulated you may need your qualifications recognised first. For the current rules that apply to your situation, check the official EU sources below.
Good to know
This is general EU-level information, not advice for a specific case. National rules and exceptions apply; confirm the details for your country and profession with the official sources.