Effects of a Newly Liberalised Austrian Labour Market for Workers from the new EU Countries on the Austrian Regions

Migration of workers from the new EU countries after the Austrian labour market was opened on 1 May 2011 concentrated on a few regions as well as on some sectors within these regions. Key factors were the sectoral specialisation (especially the importance of winter tourism in such regions) and proximity to the border. The eastern region saw an increase in migration near the border already shortly after freedom of movement was granted, mostly by construction and temporary workers, although it tailed off in the course of the year. In the western tourism regions the increase in migration did not start before December and was concentrated on tourism.