The assault course of a European citizen who wants to live and work in another EU country.

Reporter: The not-so-sexy Single Market

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/16101682/m003-0221-en_mf.srt

20 years of the European Single Market.  There's so much to celebrate!

Free movement of citizens,  capital, goods and services.

Hi. I'm English.  I trained as a chef in London

but it's in Brussels,  at the heart of Europe,

that I'd like to open a good old  British restaurant.

The Single Market  has been around for 20 years.

That means I can live and work  anywhere I want in the EU

and my life will be just the same as if I'd  stayed in my own country. Well, almost.

First things first. My identity documents.

I'm a European. I can live  wherever I like in the European Union.

I'm from England.  I'd like to register in this town.

So, the nice lady tells me about  all the documents I have to provide,

like proof from my company, which  doesn't exist yet, for an identity card.

This means, 'No work, no documents  for me to live somewhere else in Europe.'

And finally...  -Once you've proven you're working,

you'll receive an identity card  for five years.

But I was told that with the free circulation  of citizens it's permanent.

After five years you can make  an application, but that's different.

You can get a permanent card  if you're still working after five years.

Then I become a real Belgian citizen?  -No.

But after five years of paying my taxes,  I can vote, right?

Yes, but only in the local elections.  -Is that all? Not in national elections?

You're not Belgian.  You can't vote in general elections.

I grab my suitcase and go to the social  security office for the self-employed.

They'll sort out my social entitlements  and also send off an application

so I can get my qualifications recognised.  Great! I'm all ears.

Basically you need to prove  your basic management skills

and your professional skills  for opening a restaurant.

OK. For the diploma, no problem.  I've studied in London.

But the lady speaks about  a worrying database.

We might need to check that  against a national database,

because not all degrees  are accepted here.

If there's been a case similar to mine in  Belgium, it'll only take a couple of days.

But if not, it could take months,  even years.

As opening a restaurant could be risky  to health, I must provide 'credentials'.

I have years of experience.  I trained with fantastic people.

They would say amazing things about me,  but not on paper.

We need a written declaration  from your employers,

stating in detail what your tasks  and responsibilities were,

how many hours you worked,  how many years.

Some of it was in the black.  -We don't accept anything that's not legal.

That's some work.  I've got another question.

How can I get my pension in the UK into  the Belgian system? And here's the reply.

Go back to the UK  and ask for the money.

They have to give you the money you've  built up. They will pay you this pension.

I don't believe it! Two countries,  two systems, two pensions.

I'm confused. I've worked for 10 years.  I shouldn't have to prove anything.

But here I have to prove everything,  get it all validated, and wait.

Yes, there's lots of waiting.  Bring, bring! It's my friend Magda.

She's come from Warsaw.  She's an excellent nurse in Poland.

But her boyfriend is in Brussels, so  she's gone to an office for Polish expats.

It's not certain that you'll be recognised  as a nurse or a nursing assistant here.

The criteria are unclear for diplomas  dating from before Poland joined the EU.

What! If it's from before the enlargement  your diploma's rubbish,

but everything that comes later is fine?

You'll have to go back to school.  -That's terrible!

I'm not giving up hope. While I wait for  my documentation I'll sort out my car.

Mr Dimmers is an insurance broker.  He'll help me out.

I'd like to transfer over  my UK car insurance. Is that possible?

Unfortunately, you must have a Belgian  number plate and Belgian insurance.

The broker does a couple of calculations,

and says comprehensive car insurance  will cost about 2,000 euros a year.

But it's a third or a quarter of that price  in England!

Yes, but the taxes aren't the same.  You have English taxes.

In Luxembourg the taxes cost a lot less.

What about my life insurance?  Please tell me you can transfer that over.

To get tax relief on it, you must take out  a new insurance policy

under Belgian law, with a Belgian  company, to be able to claim it.

I'm knackered.  I head to a bar, have a drink,

turn on my computer  and think about my next flat.

Some French friends told me about a site  where you can buy everything online.

Wow! Look at this. Sofas at knockdown  prices. I just have to buy one.

Oh, come on!  They don't deliver to Belgium?

How is that possible with the potential  e-commerce has in Europe?

I'm sick of this. What are they up to  in Brussels? Who's in charge?

Here's our man.  Michel Barnier, a Frenchman,

the European Internal  Market Commissioner.

Dear Commissioner.  This is supposed to be a free market...

We must use the tools  we have in our hands

and make proactive laws  that make things easier

who want to export,  who want to be mobile...