In recent years, cross-border employment of workers has gained significant importance. This is a result of the fundamental freedoms of Union law. The EU's eastern enlargement in 2004 led to fears in Austria and other Western EU member states regarding negative impacts. Through numerous transitional provisions and deadlines, the EU and individual member states aimed to alleviate these concerns. The transitional provisions and deadlines ended for the EU-8 member states in 2011. Due to the access facilitation for these new EU countries resulting from the opening of the labor market, legal measures were enacted to combat potential wage and social dumping. Furthermore, Austria introduced a new criteria-based immigration system for foreign workers that is aimed at qualified individuals.