ECJ ruling on social benefits: 'benefits tourism' is not an argument against free movement

"Today's ruling by the ECJ is proof that Member States can avoid social benefits tourism without violating the free movement of citizens," said Manfred Weber, Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, in reaction to the European Court of Justice's ruling on the German case Dano vs Jobcenter Leipzig.

"The ruling sends a very strong message because it highlights that Member States have many options and legal tools at their disposal to make sure their social system is not being abused, without contesting freedom of movement, which is a basic principle of the European Union,” he said.

It sends a clear signal to the Member States and to the British Prime Minister in particular Manfred Weber MEP

“It sends a clear signal to the Member States and to the British Prime Minister in particular," the EPP Group Chairman concluded.

Background: in its ruling today, the Court decided that "the Directive of free movement of EU citizens and the regulation on the coordination of social security systems do not preclude domestic legislation which excludes nationals of other Member States from entitlement to certain special non-contributory cash benefits, although they are granted to nationals of the host Member State who are in the same situation, in so far as those nationals of other Member States do not have a right of residence under the directive in the host Member State".