Nordic Council of Ministers’ work on freedom of movement

The work on freedom of movement and obstacles to freedom of movement is complex and involves several different stakeholders at the Nordic, national, and regional levels. Removing an obstacle to freedom of movement often requires changes to legislation and/or changes in administrative practice. The process of removing an obstacle to freedom of movement can take several years. Sometimes, the result of long-term efforts may also be that an obstacle to freedom of movement can’t be removed.

The Nordic definition of an obstacle to freedom of movement provides a framework within which governments can operate. Mobility issues caused by market conditions or other factors that do not fall within this definition may therefore lie outside the governments’ mandate to act. However, this doesn’t prevent those working on obstacles to freedom of movement from addressing such challenges by initiating dialogue with stakeholders who are in a position to make a difference.

To achieve the objectives of the co-operation programme on strengthened integration and mobility between the Nordic countries, the Ministers for Nordic Co-operation launched a programme for freedom of movement in the Nordic Region on 1 January 2025. The aim of the programme is to raise the level of ambition, establish clearer processes, clarify roles and responsibilities, and strengthen synergies between Nordic stakeholders working on obstacles to freedom of movement and information. The programme identifies a number of key stakeholders and their responsibilities. Within this framework, information services, and work on obstacles to freedom of movement are organised as part of the same ecosystem, with the aim of creating better conditions for long-term, effective, and politically anchored efforts to promote freedom of movement in the Nordic Region.

The Ministers for Nordic Co-operation have overall responsibility for mobility and work to remove obstacles to freedom of movement within the framework of Nordic governmental co-operation.

The Ministers for Nordic Co-operation play a central role as facilitators at the national level. Among other things, they’re tasked with prioritising obstacles to freedom of movement of decisive importance for Nordic integration, as well as supporting and co-ordinating national processes in order to create political ownership at the national level. Each country also appoints a national member to the Freedom of Movement Council.

As a first priority, the Ministers for Nordic Co-operation have decided to address the issue of identity matching and to follow up on the prime ministers’ declaration to accelerate measures aimed at achieving an integrated Nordic Region with cross-border mobility.

Read more about the issue and how it’s being addressed on the thematic page “Digitalisation – access to cross-border services”.

The Freedom of Movement Council is an independent body tasked by the Nordic governments with promoting freedom of movement in the Nordic Region for both individuals and businesses. The Freedom of Movement Council works to identify, address, and resolve obstacles to freedom of movement affecting individuals and businesses in the Nordic Region.

The Freedom of Movement Council, which consists of national members from the Nordic countries, represents Nordic citizens and businesses, supports governments in their work on obstacles to freedom of movement, and monitors freedom of movement. The Freedom of Movement Council also provides input to the Ministers for Nordic Co-operation on current problem areas that are particularly important for mobility within the Nordic Region and that require stronger political ownership in order to be resolved. They co-operate with various stakeholders, such as national and regional networks. The Freedom of Movement Council also works closely with the Nordic Council’s Freedom of Movement Group, which likewise addresses obstacles to freedom of movement at both the national and Nordic political levels.

Nordic information services provide support and information to individuals and businesses wishing to work, study, relocate, or start a business across borders. The Nordic Council of Ministers’ digital information service Info Norden, together with the cross-border regional services – Grensetjänsten Norge–Sverige, Øresunddirekt, and Gränstjänsten Sverige-Finland-Norge – promote mobility through websites, personal assistance, and information initiatives. Through daily contact with residents, they also identify and report on obstacles to freedom of movement.

The programme secretariat for freedom of movement in the Nordic Region is based within the Secretariat to the Nordic Council of Ministers and is tasked with co-ordinating Nordic efforts on freedom of movement, as well as ensuring oversight and coherence between different stakeholders at the national, Nordic, and European levels. The programme secretariat is also responsible for developing methodologies, monitoring progress, and reporting to the Ministers for Nordic Co-operation, which includes giving recommendations on future priorities. They also co-ordinate co-operation with the Nordic Council, as well as on cross-sectoral initiatives and work on obstacles to freedom of movement carried out within the Nordic Council of Ministers’ other sectors.