The Fifth Freedom

The EU Single Market ensures free movement of goods, capital, services, and people—but not explicitly of researchers or knowledge. To strengthen research and innovation, a fifth freedom is needed: the free movement of knowledge.

In order to understand the concept of the fifth freedom, one must look back at its origins in the European Research Area (ERA) [1] launched in 2000 to create a single market for research, innovation, and technology. Since then, the ERA has boosted research infrastructures, eased researcher mobility, and improved access to scientific information. Its 2020 revamp broadened the vision, focusing on green and digital transitions, widening access to excellence, and better translating research into economic impact—all while deepening knowledge circulation. [2]

Looking ahead, the EU plans to adopt an ‘ERA Act’ by 2026 to formally establish and enshrine this fifth freedom of knowledge within its legal framework. This marks a shift towards a more legally binding approach, addressing barriers that voluntary collaboration alone has been unable to overcome. [3]

The concept was first introduced in 2007 by then-Commissioner Janez Potočnik, who sought to elevate knowledge as a strategic asset, reduce fragmentation, and enhance Europe’s competitiveness. It remains a guiding principle for ERA goals, especially mobility of researchers, data, and ideas across the EU. [4]

[1] European Research Area. European Commission: Research and innovation. 

[2] Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions A new ERA for Research and Innovation. (2020). European Commission.

[3] The ERA act: Unlocking the Fifth freedom. European Economic and Social Committee. (2025, July 16).

[4] Potočnik J (2007) The EU’s fifth freedom: creating free movement of knowledge. (Speech given to the Informal Competitiveness Council, Würzburg, 26 April 2007).

• The fifth freedom helps to advance science: If researchers and knowledge flow more freely and frequently, science can progress further and faster.
• The fifth freedom supports the traditional freedom of research: The less barriers and limitations researchers have to face, the higher the quality of evidence and arguments.
• The fifth freedom helps to advance societies and European integration: The empowerment of researchers enables them to lead innovation that serves the betterment of society.
• The fifth freedom supports essential ideals of the Enlightenment: Supporting ideals of the Enlightenment promotes universal access to scientific understanding and fosters an informed citizenry across Europe by embodying ideals of knowledge pursuit. [1]

[1] Sturm, T. (2024). The EU’s Fifth Freedom: Why and how to develop the ‘Freedom of Knowledge.’ European Review, 33(1), 19–37. 

• Member State involvement: Since the existing Four Freedoms are legally valid and enforced, EU member states need to act and not merely be on board to implement the fifth freedom as a right.[1]
• Outdated freedoms: According to Former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta, the fifth freedom is necessary for the EU to explore a new dimension of the Single Market since the existing categorisation are outdated in a rapidly evolving EU.[2]
• Redundant rights: The fifth freedom may be viewed as redundant since it is the extension of two already existing rights: the free mobility of people and research inside of the EU. Researchers are people, and this logic supports the claim that the fifth freedom is a right.[3]
• Copyright laws: Existing copyright laws limit the free mobility of research. Secondary publishing rights can retain ownership while reasserting the priority of free circulation of knowledge.[4]

[1] Sturm, T. (2024). The EU’s Fifth Freedom: Why and how to develop the ‘Freedom of Knowledge.’ European Review, 33(1), 19–37. 

[2] Letta, E. (2024, April). Much More Than a Market. 

[3] Sturm, T. (2024). The EU’s Fifth Freedom: Why and how to develop the ‘Freedom of Knowledge.’ European Review, 33(1), 19–37. 

[4] Muradyan, V. (2024, May 5). How Europe can deliver on the freedom of movement of knowledge – future Europe Journal. Future Europe Journal.