Report on frontier workers in Europe leads to proposal for legislative amendment by minister

Update Dutch child care workers in North Rhine-Westphalia

In order to cope with labour market shortages and abundances in the area of child care work it has been proposed that Dutch child care workers be employed across the border in Germany. However, recognition procedures have proven to stand in the way of the swift labour market access of Dutch child care workers. A current complaint procedure is aimed at finding out whether the cross-border mobility of child care workers may be facilitated. 

30% rule gets transitional right after all

In the Belastingplan 2019 (Dutch Tax Plan 2019) Amendment Memorandum, the State Secretary for Finance announced that the reduction of the 30% ruling from 8 to 5 years will be granted a transitional period after all. The new duration of the ruling depends on the current end date.

Report on frontier workers in Europe leads to proposal for legislative amendment by minister

The Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports has responded in a letter to the House of Representatives, which has ensured that a recommendation from the report Grenswerkers in Europa (frontier workers in Europe) has been resolved.

First step in B-solutions project completed

A first document has been published as part of the B-Solutions project “Roadmap and factsheet for the recognition of qualifications for highly demanded professions”. The goal of the project, submitted by the Province of Limburg (NL) as lead applicant and carried out by Expertise Centre ITEM, is to develop roadmaps and factsheets aimed at boosting cross-border mobility and employability by improving recognition

Why not stay for another coffee and a career?

Labour market experts Inge Hooijen and Julia Reinold researched the mobility behaviour of graduates in the Meuse–Rhine Euroregion – and found that big life decisions are down to more than an attractive labour market.

B-Solutions Project “Roadmap and factsheet for the recognition of qualifications for highly demanded professions”

The activities for the B-Solutions project “Roadmap and factsheet for the recognition of qualifications for highly demanded professions” have recently started. This project, submitted by the Province of Limburg (NL) as lead applicant and carried out by ITEM, brings together partners along the Dutch border comprising partners from the Netherlands, Belgium, North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony. 

Cooperation MUMC+/ITEM on Euregional Centre for Paediatric Surgery

MUMC+ is cooperating with parties in the Euregio Meuse-Rhine on the establishment of a Euregional Centre for Paediatric Surgery. This process leads to a large number of questions and challenges. One of these concerns the education and training of paediatric surgeons in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany and their mobility between the three countries. ITEM researches this topic on behalf of the MUMC+.

ITEM publishes practical explanatory documents about recognition of qualifications

Cross-border work involves a lot to be taken into account. A much-discussed aspect is the recognition of qualifications. During these procedures, competent authorities check whether a person's diplomas and professional experience meet certain standards. Such processes are anything but obvious. In order to provide clarity in the complex subject matter, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science has commissioned Expertise Centre ITEM to draw up a set of explanatory documents. Expertise Centre ITEM is pleased to announce the publication of these documents.

ITEM Cross-border portal launched

ITEM supports and promotes - from science - the euregional and transnational functioning of society. In order for society to use ITEM's research, a cross-border portal was launched on September 24th, 2018 during a GIPTOGETHER-meeting of cross-border information points in Eupen.

Second report on corporate mobility in the EU published

The second report of the ITEM/ICGI project on ‘Cross-Border Corporate Mobility in the EU’ has now been published. The report identifies a continuous cross-border corporate activity and features a comprehensive country-by-country reporting to provide a fuller picture of cross-border company mobility in the EU.

Presentation Neimed during first Euregio Summer School

From 10 to 15 September 2018, the cross-border and multidisciplinary Euregio Summer School in the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion was organised for the first time. 45 students from higher education institutions and representatives from knowledge institutes in the Euroregion came together with one goal: to develop visions of the future on the theme 'Improving inclusive Mobility in the Digital Age' in the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion.

ITEM Test case: Update on DigiD for cross-border workers

Expertise Centre ITEM investigates a number of aspects in relation to cross-border work. One obstacle that cross-border workers face involves obtaining a 'DigiD', the Dutch digital identification system. Regarding this obstacle proceedings were initiated in recent months, which have led to a ruling of the District Court of The Hague. Unfortunately, this ruling is not satisfactory, and an appeal has been lodged.

Limited attention for cross-border policy in Limburg coalition agreements

Stichting Geen Grens: "New municipal coalitions in Limburg often overlook foreign affairs". The newly appointed municipal authorities in Limburg are aware that their municipality has foreign borders, but many coalitions do not take this into account in their policy plans. This concludes the Stichting Geen Grens (No Border Foundation) after comparing the 30 new coalition agreements in Limburg.

Students cooperate on inclusive mobility throughout the Meuse-Rhine Euregion

During the second week of September 2018, the first Euregio Summer School will be held. The week will be devoted to working together on the topic of cross-border mobility in the digital age and will take place at a number of locations within the Meuse-Rhine Euregion.

ITEM carries out research into diploma recognition in border regions

The Province of Limburg has commissioned the ITEM Expertise Centre to carry out research into the recognition of diplomas in border regions. In June, the European Union's B-solution project awarded a grant for a pilot project to increase transparency in the field of diploma recognition for highly demanded professions.

The burdensome fiscal and social security status of highly mobile workers

Due to globalization and the increasingly integrated nature of regional economies, workers largely operate cross-border on a highly mobile basis. Because of this highly mobile character of activities, difficulties arise regarding the place of exercise of employment for tax purposes, and affiliated (dis)coordination difficulties between tax and social security rules.

More insecurity in border regions over increased VAT rate

What does the announced VAT increase mean for the Dutch border regions? Read more on the results and recommendations in ITEM's report 'Verkenning van grenseffecten van verhoging lage Btw-tarief'.

Recognition of diplomas: roadmap

One of the projects that has been submitted in the B-solutions call from the European Commission is about a roadmap for the recognition of qualifications. The roadmap and factsheet for the recognition of qualifications concerning highly demanded professions are aimed at boosting cross-border mobility and employability by improving recognition.

Launching ITEM's cross border portal in September

Expertise Centre ITEM supports and promotes - from science - the euregional and transnational functioning of society. In order for society to use ITEM's research, a cross-border portal will be launched in September 2018.

Cross-border cooperation in coalition agreement Maastricht

The newly drafted coalition agreement of the Municipality of Maastricht demonstrates the importance of Maastricht’s international position and cooperation, the ITEM Expertise Centre concludes. In the official document, which was signed on June 11th 2018, several ambitions on (Euro)regional level are formulated for the upcoming administrative period. The objectives are involved with cross-border cooperation, labour mobility, education and transportation.

Doctoral dissertation defence by PhD-Candidate of TRANSMIC project

On Wednesday June 27th 2018 Zvezda Vankova will defend her doctoral dissertation about circular migration in the Eastern partnership countries. The project is part of the TRANSMIC project and has the aim to analyse the implementation of the EU’s approach to circular migration and its impact on the rights of the economically low- and highly- skilled legal migrants from the Eastern partnership countries.

Promotion Marcus Meyer

On 9 April, MCEL member Marcus Meyer successfully defended his PhD thesis entitled "The Position of Dutch Works Councils in Multinational Corporations".

Jacqueline de Groot working for ITEM

Jacqueline de Groot is delighted to support ITEM in the upcoming year and a half as advisor external affairs.

Call for participants - ITEM DigiD Survey

Expertise Centre ITEM is researching a number of aspects in relation to cross-border work. One of the issues currently in the spotlight is the (im)possibility to get a DigiD. Expertise Centre ITEM would like to know how many people would like to use a DigiD, but find that they are unable to obtain it.

Overcoming obstacles: Child care workers across the border

Recognition procedures prevent Dutch child care workers from being able to work abroad. This was revealed after several reports by the SGA, leading to a pilot procedure set up by Expertise Centre ITEM / SGA, among others, that will examine whether partial recognition as Erzieher could be enabled for Dutch child care workers.

“Linguistic diversity in the workplace is a reality”

PhD candidate Daan Hovens is studying multilingualism in the workplace. “It became clear very quickly that it would be Daan”, says his supervisor Leonie Cornips. “I admire his language skills and learn from him to ask my questions clearly in advance.” Hovens: “I enjoy sinking my teeth into a subject.” Both professor and PhD candidate are in agreement: “We need to learn to value people’s creativity in overcoming language barriers.”

Start of Matthijs Huizing - advisor external affairs - at ITEM

Matthijs Huizing has joined the team of Expertise Centre ITEM. With his position as ‘advisor external affairs’, he will represent the expertise centre in order to form a link between science, politics and policy.

ITEM joins TEIN network of cross-border organisations

Expertise Centre ITEM is glad to have become a member of TEIN (Transfrontier Euro-Institut Network), the network for cross-border institutes and universities. With its membership, they will strengthen its cooperation with other institutes and universities in border regions.

Announcement dossiers ITEM Cross-border Impact Assessment 2018

Expertise Centre ITEM announces the dossier selection for research in their annual Cross-border impact assessment. The final selection was made based on the stakeholder consultation. In the upcoming period, a team of ITEM researchers and experts will direct their attention to the dossiers.

Report on Specialised IC Nurses presented (ITEM)

Working across the border as a specialised IC nurse is not a matter of course. For this reason, the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations has requested Expertise Centre ITEM to study the cross-border mobility of specialised Intensive Care (IC) nurses. On Wednesday 7 March, ITEM presented the results.

Thomas Biermeyer and Marcus Meyer publish first report on corporate mobility in the EU

The project leaders of the ITEM/ICGI project ‘Cross-border Corporate Mobility in the EU’ present empirical findings in their first report in the project. The report will provide a general and preliminary overview of empirical findings in the topic of cross-border corporate mobility within the EU.

Interview: An advocate of cross-border working

Martin Unfried, 'Ontgrenzer' at the Institute for Transnational and Euregional cross-border cooperation and Mobility / ITEM was interviewed by Julian Binn German-Dutch media site 'AHA24x7' about his view on cross-border labour and his job as 'ontgrenzer'.

Gain Insight into the Professional Qualifications Directive: A simple Guide

The ITEM Expertise Centre has developed a brief explanatory document to increase the readability of the Directive 2005/36/EC, also known as Professional Qualifications Directive, thereby allowing interested parties to quickly gain insight in the directive’s structure and content.

ITEM sets out bottlenecks related to the recognition of qualifications

When professionals and students move to other countries to either work or study there, they may need recognition of their qualifications. Different instruments and procedures exist depending on the purpose of mobility. Despite the fact that such instruments mainly aim at facilitating mobility, bottlenecks may nonetheless arise in practice. ITEM briefly sets out some exemplary bottlenecks including suggested solutions related to the recognition of qualifications following from their casuistry and research.

Quick scan of Dutch coalition agreement: effects for border regions

De ITEM quick scan maakt een eerste inschatting mogelijk in hoeverre een onderwerp een verdere beoordeling vergt wat mogelijke grenseffecten betreft. ITEM heeft de quick scan toegepast op beleidsvoornemens die in het Nederlandse Regeerakkoord van 2017 worden genoemd. 

The importance of cross-border impact assessments reaffirmed

Can certain rules affect the daily lives of border residents? By means of an impact assessment, the impact of certain guidelines can be measured. The ITEM Expertise Centre is committed to mapping the impact of legislation and policies for border regions. In this context, ITEM published its annual Cross-border Impact Assessment 2017 on Friday, November 10, 2017.

Winds of change for border areas

There is a growing interest in cross-border collaboration in the European Union , says Maastricht University's Institute for Transnational and Euregional cross border cooperation and Mobility (ITEM). ITEM's annual cross-border impact assessment generates scientific insights into themes involving cross-border mobility and cooperation.

Migration &: The Depth and Breadth of Migration Studies

What do we consider a migrant? What drives migration? And how does migration interact with other areas? These are topics Prof. dr. Siegel covered in her inaugural lecture in June 2017.

ITEM's Martin Unfried present at EU Conference about Border Regions

Martin Unfried from the Institute for Transnational and Euregional Cross-border cooperation and Mobility / ITEM of Maastricht University was present at the launch conference 'Boosting Growth and Cohesion in EU Border Regions' of the European Commission in Brussels. During the event Unfried gave background information about ITEM’s annual Cross-border Impact Assessment, which was put forward by the Commission as a good practice in regards to the improvement of the legislative process within the European Union.

European Commission classifies ITEM as good practice

In an official document of the Commission’s Regional Policy titled Communication “Boosting Growth and Cohesion in EU Border Regions”, the Cross-border Impact Assessment of the ITEM Expertise centre of Maastricht University was put forward as a good practice by the European Commission in order to facilitate the improvement of the legislative process within the European Union.

ITEM publication about student mobility rights and national higher education autonomy in the European Union

The thesis ‘Balancing Student Mobility Rights and National Higher Education Autonomy in the European Union’ by Dr. Alexander Hoogenboom, connected to the ITEM Expertise centre and the Faculty of Law of Maastricht University, will be issued by publishing house Brill in the series ‘Nijhoff Studies in European Union Law’ in October 2017.

Reaction report ‘Cross-border workers in Europe’ by Ministry of the Interior to address the progress of cross-border cooperation

The Ministry of the Interior has written a response to the report ‘Cross-border workers in Europe’ (Grenswerkers in Europa) in a Letter to Parliament. Furthermore the minister addresses the progress of cross-border cooperation.

ITEM calls for participants of survey about international migrants in the Euregio Meuse-Rhine

Maastricht University researchers are currently calling for people to take part in a survey about the reasons for highly-skilled international migrants to come to live and/or work in Limburg (NL) or the Euregio Meuse-Rhine. By participating, you can help make internationals’ lives, like your own, in the region easier and increase the attractiveness of the region for internationals.

Dr Marjon Weerepas appointed to endowed chair of Taxation of Cross-Border Employment

Dr Marjon Weerepas has been appointed as professor occupying the new endowed chair of Taxation of Cross-Border Employment (0.2 FTE) with effect from 1 August.

Biker gangs & borders

PhD candidate Kim Geurtjens conducts research into the cross-border nature of criminal motorcycle gangs.

Jean Monnet grant for ITEM/ICGI research project about cross-border corporate mobility in the EU

ITEM’s Marcus Meyer and Thomas Biermeyer have won a Jean Monnet grant on the topic of cross-border mobility of companies in the EU and EEA. This project supplements a tender won by Thomas and Marcus earlier this year from ETUI for a three-year project on the same topic. The Jean Monnet grant allows to extend the project’s monitoring timespan to 20 years, covering the period 2000-2020 and organizing a high-level conference on this topic in Brussels.

Doctorate removes tax barriers for EU-citizens who work across the border

On 12 July 2017 the defence of PhD Thesis of Dr Hannelore Niesten (joint doctorate UHasselt/UM) took place. The joint doctorate of Dr Hannelore Niesten was carried out under supervisors Prof. Dr. Elly Van de Velde (UHasselt) and Dr. Marjon Weerepas (Maastricht University). The University of Hasselt pubslished an article about the PhD thesis regarding the tax barriers of free movement of persons in the EU.

Cross-border mobility of specialized nurses - two Dutch hospitals in border regions

The Dutch Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom relations has asked ITEM to research the cross-border mobility of specialized nurses in some Dutch health care institutions. The goal of the research is to find out about the status and influence of quality standards and the actors involved, as well as to provide solutions to facilitate the cross-border mobility of specialized nurses while maintaining high quality health care.

Beyond the refugee crisis

ITEM-researcher reflect on the 'refugee crisis' in Europe from their expertise.

Removing obstacles for cross-border workers. How do you do that?

Myth: Brussels imposes nothing but annoying measures

Law researcher and scientific coordinator at the ITEM Expertise centre Dr. Alexander Hoogenboom featured Observant Magazine on whether the EU only produces annoying regulation and why that misconception continues to exist.

ITEM's Alexander Hoogenboom awarded with ELFA Award 2016

ITEM’s scientific coordinator, dr. Alexander Hoogenboom, has been awarded ‘first place’ in the ELFA 2016 doctoral thesis competition on European law for his thesis 'Balancing Student Mobility Rights and National Higher Education Autonomy in the European Union'.  The award was presented at ELFA's Annual General Meeting and Conference 2017 in Brno, Czech Republic.

The ITEM Cross-border Impact Assessment: Basis for Action

After the successful completion of the Cross-border impact assessment in 2016, its dossiers are being being followed up on and the subjects of the 2017 assessment have been determined.

ITEM/ICGI starts new research project on cross-border corporate mobility in the EU

ITEM’s Marcus Meyer and Thomas Biermeyer have won a tender from the European Trade Union Institute for a three-year project on cross-border corporate mobility in the European Union and the European Economic Area.

The ongoing difficulty of drawing comparisons: a study on the definitions and success indicators of the transnational EURES cooperation

New ITEM study commissioned by EURES and the Euregio Meuse-Rhine on the definitions and processes of transnational public employment services.

Research into cross-border internships in the Meuse-Rhine Euregion

Expertise Center ITEM has started a research project about cross-border internships in the Meuse-Rhine Euregion. The research, commissioned by the Meuse-Rhine Euregion and EURES, will be carried out and led by ITEM's 'de-borderer' between March 2017 and July 2017.

Announcement ITEM PhD Volume 'Beyond the refugee crisis'

The Institute for Transnational and Euregional cross border cooperation and Mobility (ITEM) published a PhD Volume about the refugree crisis. The volume was written by PhD candidates of ITEM and includes separate contributions in which each of them tackles the topic of the refugee crisis from their own area of interest. The volume therefore discusses themes ranging from migration law and criminal behaviour to social security.

ITEM advises in the case Let's Bring Them Here against the state of the Netherlands

This news article is written in Dutch. Ingevolge twee Besluiten van de Raad van de Europese Unie uit 2015 zijn de lidstaten van de Europese Unie verplicht een bepaald aantal asielzoekers, wier verzoek om asiel een hoge kans op slagen heeft, van Italië en Griekenland over te nemen en te herplaatsen naar het eigen grondgebied. Voor Nederland volgt uit de Besluiten dat het 8712 asielzoekers moet herplaatsen en opvangen. Tot op heden is deze herplaatsing echter beperkt gebleven tot 1487 personen. In het kader van deze zaak is Expertisecentrum ITEM verzocht deskundig advies te geven inzake de rechtstreekse werking van de betrokken besluiten naar Europees recht.

Interview Anouk Bollen-Vandenboorn in NFDR Exclusief

On 17 January 2017 prof. dr. Anouk Bollen-Vandenboorn, Professor of Cross Border Pension Tax Law at Maastricht University and Director of ITEM (Institute for Transnational and Euregional Cross Border Cooperation and Mobility) was interviewed by economic journalist drs. Freek Andriesse. The interview was produced on behalf of Sdu (NDFR).

Minister Ploumen visits ITEM

On Tuesday 20 February, minister Ploumen visited expertise centre ITEM, located in the UM Faculty of Law.

Interesting and successful 6th pension seminar

On 30 January the 6th pension seminar took place. The seminar was entitled: 'De pensioenmarkt wikt, de fiscaliteit beschikt. Worden de neveneffecten door u onderkend?’.

New ITEM research project on multilingualism in the workplace

25 years ago, the birth act of the European Union was signed in Maastricht. A historical moment, which brought the capital of the Dutch province of Limburg international fame. Yet, Maastricht and Limburg could profit much more from ‘Europe’ than happens today. Language still forms an obstacle though. A new project from the research institute ITEM further explores this issue.

Research ITEM Cross-border Impact Assessment 2017 - call

ITEM conducts research into current transnational and cross-border issues. One of its core activities is to conduct research into the effects of existing and future legislation on border regions and reveal these results through its annual ITEM Cross-border Impact Assessment. Each year, ITEM makes a selection of the most important subjects that are most suitable for research and in-depth analysis. This selection is made on the basis of input by ITEM’s stakeholders. Dossier suggestions can be made through 25 January.

Internships available at ITEM starting February 2017

Het Institute for Transnational and Euregional cross border cooperation and Mobility / ITEM is per februari 2017 op zoek naar versterking van haar team in de vorm van:  Stagiaire communicatie; Stagiaire 'Event organizer ITEM'; Stagiaire (1.0 fte) (Monitoring Service Grensoverschrijdende Arbeidsbemiddeling).

Inaugural lecture prof. Bollen-Vandenboorn - Grensoverschrijdende fiscale organisatie van pensioen

On Friday 16 December 2016 Prof. dr. Anouk Bollen-Vandenboorn accepted the unique chair ‘Cross-border Pension Tax Law’. The video of the inaugural lecture of Prof. dr. Anouk Bollen-Vandenboorn, titled 'Cross-border fiscal organisation of pensions' is now available.

ITEM's Martin Unfried presents Cross-border impact assessment 2016 in Berlin

Martin Unfried, 'ontgrenzer' at the ITEM expertise centre has presented the ITEM Cross-border impact assessment at the conference "Grenzüberschreitende Zusammenarbeit an der deutschen Außengrenze - Herausforderungen, Hindernisse und Entwicklungschancen" in Berlin on 12 and 13 December 2016.

ITEM’s Alexander Hoogenboom wins Ius Commune Prize

Alexander Hoogenboom, scientific coordinator at ITEM, is the winner of the Ius Commune Prize of 2016. Alexander Hoogenboom won the 2016 Ius Commune Prize for his paper ‘In Search of a Rationale for the EU Citizenship Jurisprudence’. The prize was awarded at the 15th Ius Commune Conference on 24 November 2016.

Het migratiebeleid staat kansen in de weg in de grensregio’s

Migratierecht en -beleid gaan veelal uit van een eenheid: verblijf en ‘bezigheid’ — werk, studie/stage, onderzoek, et cetera — in één land. Maar diezelfde eenheid levert problemen op in de grensstreken. Niet zozeer voor EU-burgers, die het ‘recht op vrij verkeer’ hebben, maar wel voor zogenoemde ‘derdelanders’, grof gezegd mensen zonder EU, EER of Zwitserse nationaliteit.

ITEM starts feasibility study ‘cross-border professional recognition card’.

One of the obstacles is the recognition of professional qualifications. Therefore, ITEM is announcing its intention to carry out a feasibility study about creating a “cross-border professional recognition card”.  The final “cross-border professional recognition card” would be a tool developed to speed up and facilitate recognition procedures, especially for border regions.

ITEM publishes effects for border regions in first cross-border impact assessment

The Institute for Transnational and Euregional cross border cooperation and Mobility / ITEM, established in 2015, has the important objective to identify the effects of laws and regulations for border regions. Therefore ITEM launched its Cross-border impact assessment in 2016. The results of this assessment are now published in the Cross-border impact assessment 2016 and make it clear that there are still many obstacles in the area of cross-border mobility.

Cross-border employment: on paper it seems settled, but in practice it is difficult

ITEM conference

Maarten Vink addresses Committee of the Regions of the EU

On 23 September 2016 professor Maarten Vink, Co-Director of MACIMIDE and a member of the ITEM Academic Office, addressed the Committee of the Regions of the European Union during the 10th Meeting of CIVEX in Oviedo, Spain.

Start Alexander Hoogenboom at ITEM

The Institute for Transnational and Euregional Cross border cooperation and Mobility / ITEM is pleased to announce that mr. drs. Alexander Hoogenboom has joined ITEM as scientific coordinator as of 1 September 2016.

ITEM’s prospective study on understanding the decision of international migrants to stay in or leave the Euregio Meuse-Rhine (EMR), which officially starts in 2017, is being prepared.

ITEM researchers kicked off the preparatory work for ITEM’s prospective PhD research project with the title “Understanding the decision of international migrants to stay in or leave the Euroregion” starting in 2017.

ITEM’s study regarding outlaw motorcycle gangs in the Meuse-Rhine Euregion presented at Criminology conference

ITEM’s study regarding outlaw motorcycle gangs in the Meuse-Rhine Euregion will be discussed at the 16th Annual conference of the European Society of Criminology in Münster, Germany.

Article by Martin Unfried in TAZ Tageszeitung

On Friday 15 July Martin Unfried appeared in the TAZ Tageszeitung with his article "Debate on European Union: A much troubled monster".

Summary report on PhD meeting on Pensions: the diversity of pensions

On June 23 the first PhD Meeting on Pensions took place, a joint initiative of the Institute of Transnational and Euregional cross border cooperation and Mobility / ITEM and the Competence Centre for Pension Research / CCP from Tilburg University. The main purpose of this meeting was to bring together PhD-researchers and other researchers in the field of pension and related fields of research

The Tax and Customs Administration responds to ITEM’s questions regarding the income statement

Following a letter, in which ITEM poses questions regarding the income statement (in regards to the qualifying foreign tax payers), the Tax and Customs Administration of the Netherlands has sent a response.

Successful ITEM Seminar “The Recognition of Qualifications: Improving Recognition to Enhance Labour Mobility”

On 29 June 2016 ITEM successfully hosted its seminar on the recognition of qualifications. Participants from differing organisations and institutions involved in the process of the recognition of qualifications came together to explore the qualifications and recognition procedures for very different professions. The end-goal of the day was to identify possible solutions and plans for action to improve recognition to the benefit of labour mobility.

Start of research on the cross-border pension tracking service regarding the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany

The Institute for Transnational and Euregional cross border cooperation and Mobility / ITEM will prepare the substantive fundamentals for an online cross-border pension tracking service by which citizens of the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium have a mutual overview of their foreign built up pensions in the other State. As of  June 1st, Sander Kramer started as a researcher at ITEM with this research.

Prestigious grants received

ITEM congratulates Maastricht University researchers and members of ITEM’s scientific board who recently received grants for their research projects.

ITEM puts critical questions to governments

Reaction expertise centre ITEM regarding legislative proposal for flexibilisation commencement date AOW

Expertise centre ITEM notes with great interest the legislative proposal of Klein, member House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer) of the Dutch Parliament, to amend the The General OldAge Pension Act (AOW) and the Participation Act (Participatiewet) in regards to the introduction of the possibility to receive the AOW OldAge Pension either entirely or partly, earlier or later (Wet flexibilisering ingangsdatum AOW)

The consequences of Brexit for the social security?

It has eventually happened. The United Kingdom will leave the European Union. It looked briefly as though the British people would vote for “stay”, but a majority of the voters of the referendum that was held in the United Kingdom wants to leave the European Union. At this stage, it is too early to oversee the consequences of the Brexit. The same applies to the social security. Below, you can find some thoughts on possible consequences for the social security.

First edition of PhD meeting on pensions

Today, on Thursday 23 June 2016, the first PhD meeting on pensions will take place. This PhD meeting is an initiative of the Institute of Transnational and Euregional cross border cooperation and Mobility / ITEM of Maastricht University and Tilburg University.

ITEM investigates effects for border regions

This year, the Institute for Transnational and Euregional cross border cooperation and Mobility/ ITEM will start investigating the effects of certain national and European laws and regulations for border regions.

Belgian and German tolls – a legal perspective

Both Flanders and Germany are considering tolling systems applicable to private vehicles using the Flemish respectively German roads.

Save the date: ITEM Seminar 'Recognition of Qualifications'

On 29 June 2016 the Institute for Transnational and Euregional cross border Cooperation and Mobility / ITEM is organizing a seminar on the recognition of qualifications.

ITEM comments on proposal Posted Workers Directive

Posting of workers has become a common phenomenon in the EU. Since the mid-1990’s it is regulated by the Directive on posting of workers (96/71/EC). The directive aims at striking a balance between the freedom to provide services on the one hand and the protection of workers, the persons who actually carry out the services for their employer, on the other hand. 

ITEM and CBS sign covenant

On 16 March 2016 ITEM and CBS have signed a covenant to strengthen the mutual cooperation between them.

ITEM starts with cross border impact assessment 2016

What are the effects of national and EU policy and legislation on border regions? Are cross border workers affected by newly or soon to be implemented national or EU policy/legislation?

ITEM is working together with French MOT on border impediments

The Institute for Transnational and Euregional cross border cooperation and Mobility / ITEM and Mission Opérationelle Transfrontalière / MOT are working together. 

ITEM starts EMR study: cross border job mediation

Up until now, there was no clear overview of the comparability of processes involved in considering to take up a position across the national border in a neighboring country nor is there an comparable overview of annual volumes of workers who were successfully placed across the border.

'Ontgrenzer' Martin Unfried employed by ITEM

It is with great pleasure that the Institute for Transnational and Euregional Cross border cooperation and Mobility / ITEM announces that per 01.01.2016 mr Martin Unfried ‘ontgrenzer’, has started working parttime for ITEM.

Citizens will soon be able to check how much pension they have accrued in other EU Member States

UM to head research on customer-friendly system in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium as of 2016