Roland Rutili v Ministre de l'interieur. (Workers ) [1975] EUECJ R-36/75 (28 October 1975)

Roland Rutili v Ministre de l'interieur. (Workers ) [1975] EUECJ R-36/75 (28 October 1975)

The Court held that the public policy exception in Article 48 EEC Treaty covers both legislative and individual administrative decisions. Any restriction on freedom of movement for workers must be strictly justified by a genuine and sufficiently serious threat to public policy, based on the individual's personal...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[1975] EUECJ R-36/75
Parties
Applicant: Roland Rutili; Respondent: Ministre de l'intérieur (Minister for the Interior)
Jurisdiction
European Union
Procedural Posture
Reference for a Preliminary Ruling / Judgment on Preliminary Reference
Outcome
Preliminary ruling issued; questions answered as set out in the judgment.
Legal Topics
Freedom of Movement for Workers, Public Policy Exception, Equality of Treatment, Residence Restrictions, Procedural Safeguards
European Union Law Labour Law Administrative Law Freedom of Movement for Workers Public Policy Exception Equality of Treatment Residence Restrictions Procedural Safeguards

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Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

Roland Rutili

Applicant

Ministre de l'intérieur (Minister for the Interior)

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Reference for a Preliminary Ruling / Judgment on Preliminary Reference

  1. 1 Does the public policy exception in Article 48 EEC Treaty apply to individual administrative decisions as well as legislative provisions?
  2. 2 What are the substantive and procedural requirements for justifying restrictions on freedom of movement for workers on public policy grounds?
  3. 3 Can a Member State impose territorial residence restrictions on nationals of other Member States that it would not impose on its own nationals?

Ratio Decidendi

The Court held that the public policy exception in Article 48 EEC Treaty covers both legislative and individual administrative decisions. Any restriction on freedom of movement for workers must be strictly justified by a genuine and sufficiently serious threat to public policy, based on the individual's personal conduct, and must comply with procedural safeguards. Territorial residence restrictions may not be imposed on nationals of other Member States unless such restrictions could also be imposed on the Member State's own nationals.

Court Disposition

Preliminary ruling issued; questions answered as set out in the judgment.

Orders

  • The public policy exception in Article 48 EEC Treaty applies to both legislative provisions and individual decisions.
  • Justification for public policy measures must comply with all relevant Community law, including procedural safeguards and equality of treatment.