[germanier]

I could hop on the next plane to London and legally start working today. If they restrict freedom of movement at all that is going to fall and replaced by some process to obtain work authorization (how else could they distinguish between "skilled" and "unskilled" workers?). If that system looks in any way similiar to the one non-EU citizens have to go through today I wouldn't call that change insignificant. Having to do a financial striptease and waiting some time for the application to be processed (possibly even having to renew that a few times) instead of showing your ID card to HR is going to stop some people from working there.

And I don't want to start talking about other things, such as access to social security and cross-border cooperation thereof, automatic recognition of degrees and certifications, harmonized banking makes it easy to transfer to your home country, being able to quit a job without needing to have a new one lined-up, and so on. All that is now part of the negotiations.

[Symbiote]

> I could hop on the next plane to London and legally start working today.

That's exactly the point, and something I don't think many British people realise. (I don't think Americans etc realise it either, but I don't expect them to.)

Moving to work in a different EU country requires what I'd guess is a similar amount of paperwork as moving between US states.

- Register your address with the local government (which may lead to an id card, tax registration etc) - Update your driving license, if applicable - Tell the old country you'll stop paying tax there (may lead to a tax refund)

These are the same kinds of processes as are used when a child is born, a teenager gets a first job, or an adult moves house. Nothing requires permission, nothing can be refused.

Additionally, there are agreements for things like state healthcare, pensions and out-of-work benefits.

If the UK raises barriers, then London will be less appealing for other European citizens.

[Xylakant]

> nothing can be refused

This is a very crucial point that a lot of people fail to grasp. With the EU laws as backing, we moved from "this is easily granted unless you fill in the wrong paper" to "this can't be denied and you don't even have to ask." which is a complete turnaround in the power balance. Employing a person from the EU requires that I notify the relevant authorities, moving within the EU requires me to merely notify the right parties. There's no applying for a permit. Having a polish partner is much less stressful, because she can't be thrown out, no matter what, no need for a residence permit, no travel documents.