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Isn't this inevitable given the freedoms given to people to work and live where they like within the EU?

Doesn't something very similar happen within the US where, in general, the brightest and best are drawn to locations where they can get the best opportunities?

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That is correct, but it takes more energy for a European national to move country because of the barriers of language, customs, laws, tax systems, etc...

As an example, I have worked in Portugal, Spain and now the UK and I don't know if I will ever be entitled to a state pension when I retire even though I payed pension related taxes in all of these countries.

In the US, AFAIK, it's a bit more homogeneous, no?

There will not be any state pensions in any of those countries by the time you retire, make your own provision. This debt crisis is about unpayable liabilities, among other things.

The pension rights you earn will follow you (at least in EU):

http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/work/retire/state-pensi...

Yea, it's just that we Europeans fight it. National sovereignty and all that.

EDIT: And let me add - the usual weapon is taxpayer money. ;)

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