Door already open
Britain, Ireland and Sweden opened their labour markets immediately after the May 1, 2004, enlargement of the EU.
Towards opening
Finland has announced it will open its labour market for workers from central and eastern Europe, joining Spain and Portugal in dropping the current restrictions from May.
Undecided
France says it "is working" on the matter but will not make a decision until March. The Dutch government is similarly ambivalent. Italy has made no suggestion it will lift blocking measures, although it already lets in many from the EU newcomer states as part of annual quotas for foreign workers. Luxembourg says it will decide next month, while Belgium will leave it until April. Portugal says it has no plans to open its borders, while Denmark and Greece have not taken a position publicly.
Staying shut
Germany and Austria, which both have substantial direct borders with EU newcomer states, are most reluctant to open their labour markets. Both are likely to retain the restrictions up until the latest deadline of 2011 however.