Peter Hansen - Euregio Rhein-Maas-nord, DE-NL

In the territory of the Euroregion Rhine-Maas-North (DE-NL) an increasing number of non-EU citizens want to work in key sectors, as showcased by the Advice Case “Cross-border work for non-EU citizens” submitted in the framework of the initiative b-solutions.

As observed by Peter Hansen, the specialist assigned to this case, provisions regulating the issuance of working permits for non-EU nationals become overcomplicated when applied to the cross-border context. Problems are especially related to the so-called “priority test” aiming at proving the skills and competences of the job-seeker.

As the same problem is observed in other sections of the border between Germany and The Netherlands (see the case  of The Economic Board Arnhem-Nijmegen) the expert proposes todraw up and implement an action plan jointly with players from Euregio Rhein-Waal to establish common objectives for the improvement of the freedom of movement for non-EU nationals at local, regional and national level.

This could serve as a preliminary basis to reach a subsequent bilateral agreement between the two states.

To learn more on this Advice Case, the final report of Peter Hansen is available here.

The information here provided have been developed in the framework of b-solutions, an initiative of the European Comission’s DG REGIO managed by the Association of European Border Regions (AEBR).

The reports here included are the result of a consultation provided by legal/cross-border cooperation experts on obstacles of a legal or administrative nature– referred to as Advice Cases - selected in the framework of the II Call for Proposals of the initiative b-solutions.