Birgit Glorius

Taking the example of Germany as a demographically ageing country, this paper starts with the assumption that international migration and a sound long-term integration of international migrants are crucial for sustainable population development. However, owing to the complexity of migration motives and individual migration decisions on the one hand, and the multidimensionality of external causes for migration and political regulations aiming to steer migration, on the other hand, the demand and supply side of migration can vary considerably. This paper reflects on recent important migratory movements to Germany (notably inner-European mobility after the expansion of the European Union (EU), and student and refugee migration in the wake of the economic and financial crisis) and con-comitant policy changes. Two main arguments are made along these empirical observations: first, the effective regulation of international migration in Germany as in any other European country can only be derived by harmonising migration regulations on a supranational level, and second, the issue of migration and its regulation touch on crucial topics in European and national public discourse such as the stabilisation of individual and group identities in turbulent times. Thus, as per the arguments put forth by this study, in order to solve actual imbalances in the European migration and asylum system, questions on social justice and common European values will need to be addressed throughout the European countries and at the EU level.

This chapter will discuss current theoretical debates, methodological discussions and empirical results regarding the nexus between return migration and regional development in Europe. So far, return migration was mainly studied in the cases of return from Europe to other continents. We argue that studying return migration within Europe adds valuable perspectives. As such, return decisions are conceptualized as individual negotiation processes in the context of life in a globalized risk society, in which remigrants’ exhibit strong influence in post-socialist transformation processes in Central and Eastern Europe. Furthermore, the intergenerational dimension of return migration are highlighted. Finally, innovative approaches to study return migration comprehensively are presented. We conclude by linking up to policy making and sketching out future fields of scientific inquiry.

This book assesses recent migration patterns in Europe, which have significantly included 'return migration' against the stream of East-West migration. Since the Eastern enlargement of the EU, many regions of Central and Eastern European have experienced a loss of human resources in core industries, raising concerns about social, economic and territorial cohesion in the region. The success rates of national and regional governmental policy aiming to retain or re-attract skilled workers have been variable, yet return migration has emerged as a major element of migration flows.
Bringing together leading researchers on this important topic in contemporary European geography, the contributors analyse a series of key issues. These include: theoretical frameworks in the field of return migration; the nexus between return migration and regional development; the effects of the global and European crisis on emigration and return migration; non-economic motivations for emigration and return; the intergenerational character of return migration, and; the reintegration of return migrants into post-socialist societies. Taken together, the chapters see return migrants as important agents of change, innovation and economic growth. The book will be of great interest for scholars and students of human, economic and political geography.

This volume presents new research on post-accession migration from Central and Eastern Europe in the short period since the EU enlargements of 2004 and 2007. Explanations of post-accession migration patterns, trends and mechanisms delve into the complexities of these phenomena. New groups of migrants and types of migrations are identified -- such as young migrants, often students or graduates, without family obligations and without clear plans concerning their future life. Case studies on Poland, Romania, Hungary and Latvia as well as the United Kingdom and Germany – being major destination countries – divulge the multifaceted nature of transition, whether in the form of labour migration, short-term mobility (including among international students) or return migration. The volume insightfully points towards future migration trends and sets guidelines for further research.