The research by academics at University College London comes at a time of fierce debate over freedom of movement within the EU.
European immigrants to the UK paid much more in taxes than they received in benefits over the past decade, making a net fiscal contribution of £20bn, say researchers.
Responding to fears among Conservative eurosceptics that migrants are “benefit tourists”, David Cameron has pledged to renegotiate the rules allowing workers to move within the bloc.
However, Angela Merkel, German chancellor, is reported to have warned the UK prime minister that any move to reform these rights would lead Britain towards to an EU exit.
The arguments look set to intensify now UCL researchers have established that so-called “A10 migrants” from eastern European countries that joined the EU in 2004 contributed nearly £5bn to the UK in the decade to 2011.
Those from the original 15 EU members brought a net gain of £15bn over the same period. By comparison, the UK-born population was a net cost.
The analysis showed that “EU 15” migrants contributed 64 per cent more in taxes to the UK than they received in benefits, and the A10 group – comprising countries such as Poland, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia and Lithuania – contributed 12 per cent more than they received.
© Financial Times
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