To mark the 30th anniversary of EU citizenship, the Commission has presented a set of measures to strengthen the rights of EU citizens. They reinforce the right to freedom of movement, effective participation in democratic processes, and consular protection when travelling outside the EU.
These measures will
- help national authorities to correctly apply rules on freedom of movement within the EU, including those for rainbow families
- ensure better and easier protection for EU citizens when travelling outside the EU, by simplifying procedures and making best use of EU delegations and national embassies, and coordinating travel advice between EU Member States
- further improve the participation of people with disabilities in the electoral process and provide a set of e-voting practices from across EU countries to promote the exercise of electoral rights in the EU.
The Commission has also published the 2023 Citizenship Report, providing an overview of EU citizenship policy initiatives taken since 2020 and the results of an EU survey on citizenship and democracy, showing that 50% of the respondents feel well informed about their EU citizenship rights.
EU citizenship, introduced by the Maastricht Treaty in 1993, complements national citizenship and gives citizens of EU countries extra rights and benefits, like non-discrimination based on nationality, freedom to move and reside in another EU country, and voting rights on local and European elections when living abroad and others.
For more information
Press release - Commission presents a set of measures to reinforce rights of EU citizens
Flash Eurobarometer on Democracy and Citizenship
Your Europe - Information and advice on the rights of EU citizens and their family
SOLVIT – Free online service designed to help citizens and businesses solve problems they are experiencing with the public administrations of EU Member States
Details
- Publication date
- 6 December 2023
- Author
- Directorate-General for Communication