Freedom of movement in the EU - what is the purpose of your visit?
Freedom of movement and residence for persons in the EU is the cornerstone of Union citizenship, established by the Treaty of Maastricht in 1992.
In my last visit to Bulagria (not Schengen area) as EU-Citizen they have asked me the reason of my visit in Bulgaria at airport. Does I have to tell the reason of my visit when arriving in another EU country? Do they even allow to ask such questions at airport when EU guarantees freedom of movement shall entail the abolition of any discrimination (me non-Caucasian look but EU-citizen) ?
Edit: I have to mention that I was with my friends (also EU-Citizens) and no questions were asked to them.
Best Answer
Freedom of movement does not imply freedom from immigration inspection. The border agent may ask you whatever they want, including nothing at all. Freedom of movement is about the right to travel to, live and work in another member state without the administrative issues of visas and work permits, etc.
Freedom of movement is not absolute, either. If you are deemed a risk to public safety or public health, you may be refused entry.
This is common. As an Irish citizen entering Ireland I am often asked where I went and what I did there.
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Why is freedom of movement important to Europeans?
Freedom of movement began as a way to encourage people to travel to fill jobs after the Second World War. The idea was that a mobile workforce would help boost the economies of the EU's six founding members, and perhaps discourage future conflict on the continent.Why is free movement important?
Free movement of people - alongside free movement of goods, services and capital - is one of the four founding principles of the European Union. It gives all citizens of EU countries the right to travel, live and work wherever they wish within the EU.How does freedom of movement work in the EU?
As EU citizens, all nationals of the Member States of the European Union have the right to move freely within the European Union and to enter and reside in any EU Member State. This right to freedom of movement is guaranteed by Article 21 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU).What are the main purposes of the EU?
The aims of the European Union within its borders are:- promote peace, its values and the well-being of its citizens.
- offer freedom, security and justice without internal borders, while also taking appropriate measures at its external borders to regulate asylum and immigration and prevent and combat crime.
What Is... The Free Movement of People
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Answer 2
Immigration Officers have to establish that the ID card/passport is a genuine document (not forged or counterfeit) and that the person presenting it is the rightful holder of that document (not an impostor).Tech equipment goes a long way but a conversation with the passenger helps to establish credibility. For example an Officer may ask a few clarifying questions if encountering an 18 year old with long hair and a full beard presenting a passport whose passport photo was taken 5 years earlier when they were a baby-faced school boy with a crew cut. The Officer may ask if the passenger has more recent photo ID such as a driving licence. In respect of intra-EU travelers,these actions are not to impede free movement but to ensure that the person facing the Officer is the person who is entitled to free movement by virtue of presenting a genuine document, of which they are the rightful holder.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Brett Sayles, Brett Sayles, Markus Spiske, Gotta Be Worth It