Union solidarity stands a hard test in current times of crises. For decades the European legislator(s) and the Court of Justice have extended the rights to cross-border welfare and thus who will enjoy social protection in a hosting member state. However, member states and the European Court now seem to have changed their views into a reactionary approach on the scope of solidarity and Union citizenship. This paper examines how two Nordic member states, Sweden and Denmark, with their traditionally universalistic, tax-financed welfare states have responded differently to the more reactionary approach to Union solidarity and explores explanations as to why. In concrete, the paper examines how Sweden and Denmark have implemented non-active EU citizens’ rights to non-contributory social benefits, i.e. family benefits, study grants and social assistance and how access to the latter influences the right to reside differently across Öresund.
