Angonese v Cassa di Risparmio di Bolzano SpA


Roman Angonese v Cassa di Risparmio di Bolzano S.p.A. C-281/98 is an EU law case, concerning the free movement of workers in the European Union.

Facts

A bank in Bolzano, where Italian and German is spoken, required a certificate of bilingualism. The certificate could only be obtained in Bolzano. Angonese was Italian and had studied in Austria. He was told he could not apply for a job at the bank because he had no certificate, despite being able to speak both languages.

Judgment

The Court of Justice held that the bank's rule was indirect discrimination under TFEU article 45. Because most Bolzano residents were Italian, the requirement to get a certificate in Bolzano put other member state nationals at a disadvantage.