Labor Mobility

COVID-19: The Impact on Labor Migration Policy in Europe

In March 2020, European governments chaotically imposed border restrictions to lock out the coronavirus. 

Media coverage on labor migration showcased free charter flights for seasonal workers, low-interest startup loans for returning migrants, and public works programs promising to employ hundreds of thousands of people to avert a mass exit when the borders reopen.

Reports on the limitations of labor mobility created confusion for companies that employ foreign nationals and disoriented millions of people who work abroad.

At Lundi, our research team continuously monitors labor migration policy in nine European countries. Every country we track allows labor migration during the pandemic situation.

The vast majority of the multi-million strong global migrant workforce will continue to choose the EU as the top destination to work abroad, and we firmly believe this migration will aid global economic recovery.

A new exodus is gathering momentum. Is the European Union ready?

The European Commission wants the reopening of borders to be an orderly affair, but that's not happening.

Our analysis of nine countries in Europe shows a patchwork of policies across the bloc.

The decision to grant entry generally comes down to an individual interpretation of the rules by a border officer.

Labor migration powers the global economy and is vital to the growth and development of Central Europe.  


We are taking action.

Lundi gathered teams of local researchers in countries where labor migration is vital to development.

The goal: Track the impact of COVID-19 on European Labor Migration Policy and document the response of national policymakers.

We have an extraordinary enthusiasm for software and a view that trust and transparency will govern the future, and this manifests in everything we do.


What's inside?

An interactive dashboard to explore labor migration policy research conducted on nine countries: Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, France, Belgium, UK, and Italy.

Discover answers to vital questions about labor mobility, including:

Is labor migration allowed?

Who needs to undergo quarantine?

What types of professions are permitted?

What are the entry requirements for workers?

How can new employees travel to the country?

Where is it possible to obtain a visa?

Are there any restrictions on crossing the border?

Can employees currently in the country continue to work after the expiration of their work permit?

We are updating the report weekly and after the announcement of critical labor migration policy changes.

We believe that information is beautiful, and we hope that you will find our tool valuable as you chart a course into the new normal.

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No matter the industry or the function, the talent you need could be already living in another country. That’s why we created our borderless talent strategy.