EU Migrants in Wales: Still Welcome?

This chapter examines migration from European Union (EU) member states to Wales, focusing on the growth of European migration following EU enlargement, the experiences of EU migrants living in Wales, and the impacts of the 2016 Brexit referendum. Drawing on the concept of "liquid migration", it combines analysis of Census, Annual Population Survey, National Insurance registration, and EU Settlement Scheme data with qualitative interviews conducted with EU citizens across Wales. The chapter documents the substantial growth and diversification of Wales's migrant population during the early twenty-first century, particularly following the accession of Central and Eastern European states to the EU in 2004 and the lifting of labour market restrictions on Romanian and Bulgarian citizens.

Analysis highlights the importance of migration from Poland, Romania and other EU member states in shaping contemporary Welsh demographics and labour markets. While EU migrants generally display high employment rates and significant educational attainment, many experience occupational downgrading and concentration in lower-paid sectors of the economy. The chapter also explores the social dimensions of migration, including processes of belonging, civic participation, and community attachment.

Particular attention is given to the effects of Brexit on migrants' experiences of welcome, identity, and security. Interview evidence demonstrates how the referendum campaign, the rise in reported hostility towards migrants, and uncertainty surrounding post-Brexit rights challenged established feelings of belonging among many EU citizens living in Wales. At the same time, respondents described experiences of solidarity, local support, and attachment to Welsh society, including engagement with Welsh language, culture, and civic life.

The chapter concludes that while Wales has often been presented as a welcoming and inclusive nation, the experiences of EU migrants reveal important tensions within this narrative. Brexit exposed the fragility of European citizenship rights and highlighted how xenophobia, racism, and the UK's wider "hostile environment" continue to shape migrants' lives. Future demographic and economic challenges, including population ageing and labour shortages, suggest that migration will remain an important component of Wales's future development.