Mobility of Workers in the European Union

Given the shortage of skilled workers in key occupations in many countries, this project focuses on labour mobility between Austria and Hungary and aims to answer three main questions. First, we examine who decides to migrate from Hungary to Austria and who stays. Second, we analyse how migrants' career paths change after moving. Third, we assess the impact of increased migration on labour dynamics in the home country. In contrast to traditional research, we emphasise the importance of studying labour markets internationally and linking data to understand the impact of migration on individual careers, firms and regions. Using unique linked register data from Hungary and Austria, we can analyse the migration and career profiles of workers over time, for the first time ever. Our project will provide insights into the determinants of migration, the duration of stays, and the influence of changes in the legal environment on these processes. By linking individual data across borders, we can analyse selection processes and understand the individual benefits and return decisions of migrants. This research will contribute to a broader understanding of migration dynamics and lay the foundations for an EU-wide database.