Eastern European Countries Concerned About ‘Brain Drain’ Impact of EU Free Movement Policy

Romania has become the latest European country to question the benefits of the continent’s commitment to free movement of people amid growing concerns in the East over the “brain drain” effect of the policy.

A medical employee uses a microscope at a microbiology laboratory in Bucharest, Romania, on April 12, 2018. Daniel Mihailescu/AFP/Getty Images

BRUSSELS—Romania has become the latest European country to question the continent’s commitment to the free movement of people, amid growing concerns in the East over the “brain drain” effect of the policy.

Romania’s finance minister, Eugen Teodorovici, suggested time-limited work permits should be introduced to stop former Soviet bloc countries from permanently losing their brightest and best to the Western member states.