European integration and membership of the European Union enable free movement of labour and provide an increased choice in where people can work. As a result, the increasing flow of people creates new challenges for governments and national economies. Employers look for specific skills and competencies, while migrants arrive with qualifications that are not described in terms that are used, recognised and understood in the receiving country. This paper offers an overview and comparison of literature that discuss economic migrants within the European Union, and especially within the UK and Finland as receiving countries. Special attention is given to the former education of economic migrants and the qualifications they have. Some examples of the themes that will guide the review are listed below: - To what extent migrants' former education is recognised and accepted, and an analysis of how this contributes to their career prospects and influences their access to jobs. - Reasons for economic migration in the enlarged European Union. - Skills and competencies of economic migrants In addition to providing a summary and comparative analysis, we also aim to identify gaps in the available literature and suggest areas for further research.