Germany, France Join UK in Immigration Fears

France and Germany are concerned over immigrant waves for social benefits. Photo by EPA/BGNES

Germany and France have joined the UK in the plans to curb EU immigration by setting limitations on out-of-work benefits for foreign nationals.

Both Paris and Berlin are on the same page with UK Prime Minister David Cameron regarding the need to restrict benefit claims by migrant workers, reports the Financial Times.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's new grand coalition said on Wednesday it is committed to cracking down on "unjust claims of social security benefits" in order to reduce incentives for migration.

The issue will be addressed at the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius on Thursday and Friday, during which Cameron is expected to present his measures against "benefit tourism", mainly targeted at Bulgarian and Romanian citizens.

London's measures drew significant criticism from the European Commission, as it is a fundamental breach of the EU's policy of free movement and access to labor markets.