Immigration and settlement? German migration flows to and from Switzerland under the provision of free movement of persons

Author(s) : Ilka Steiner

Source : https://archive-ouverte.unige.ch/unige:96470

Abstract:

The decision to migrate is complex and determined by several factors. Integrating agency and structure, this thesis revolves around the interaction between the individual’s capabilities and aspirations, and contextual factors, such as migration policy and the labor markets in explaining migration intentions and behavior. It focuses on migratory movements of German nationals to and from Switzerland, within the context of free movement of persons. Based on a longitudinal database as well as a specific survey that were created for the purpose of this thesis, our research identifies the determinants of the migrants’ choice of regional settlement and their re-migration process. It underlines the complexity of current migration flows and the importance of considering not only different types of migrants, but also a finer grained level of geographical disaggregation, to better account for its heterogeneity. Thus, it helps moving beyond the general political “mobility vs settlement” discourse of intra-European migration.