Britons are far more concerned about the migration of Bulgarians and Romanians than their European counterparts, according to a YouGov poll.
Figures from the office of national statistics (ONS) released in August highlighted a 26% increase between April and June of Bulgarians and Romanians working in the UK.
British restrictions currently governing the migration of workers from the two countries are schedule to expire in nine months, after which workers from both nations will have the same freedom of movement as other EU citizens.
The research showed that the British are far more apprehensive about the lifting of restrictions than their German or French counterparts (Paris and Berlin instituted similar restrictions on migrant workers).
Half of the British respondents polled said that restrictions on Bulgarians and Romanians should go beyond the January 1st deadline, while only 35% of German respondents and 30% of French respondents felt the same way.
Around 66% of Britons thought that the government should hold a referendum on the issue, while only 5% of British adults said they would vote for the restrictions to be dropped.