Polish called Illegal in TV series

[Jannway]

I've been watching Blue Murder TV series (Hit and Run). In this the girls are supposed to be Polish, but illegal immigrants. I thought Poland was in the EU and Polish workers are not considered illegal. Why would the TV series say they are?

[sandyRoe]

Was it made before Poland joined the EU?

[Buenchico]

Polish citizens have been able to work in the UK since 2004. Only Romanian and Bulgarian citizens have been subject to transitional arrangements, limiting their right to work here, but those arrangements expired at the end of 2011.

[sandyRoe]

That episode of Blue Murder was made in 2004, the same year Poland joined the EU. I can only guess it was made earlier in that year.

[Jannway]

Poland joined the EU on 1st May 2004. The episode of Blue Murder was first aired in September 2004. So as probably rightly suggested, the episode was made earlier - although the script writers should have been aware that Poland and other countries had been due to join the EU for quite a while. Thanks for the suggestions.