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#EU4Citizens

en



EU CITIZENSHIP REPORT
2020


EMPOWERING CITIZENS AND PROTECTING THEIR RIGHTS

EU citizenship is a significant achievement of the European project. It is
unique in the world as it adds to and does not replace national citizenship.

Find out what the EU institutions are doing to strengthen your EU citizenship
rights across the Member States and abroad.

Homepage
Strengthening democracy, citizens’ empowerment and inclusion
Facilitating free movement and simplifying daily life
Protecting and promoting EU citizenship
Protecting EU citizens in Europe and abroad, including in times of crisis or
emergency
Library



STRENGTHENING DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION, CITIZENS’ EMPOWERMENT AND FOSTERING
INCLUSION OF CITIZENS IN THE EU

Democracies depend on their citizens’ participation. EU citizens are
increasingly aware of the rights conferred to them by EU citizenship, and they
are using them. For example, they are increasingly making use of their electoral
rights.

>80%

of EU citizens know their EU citizenship rights.

+5 p.p.

increase in participation in the 2019 EU parliament election since 2004. Turnout
in the 2019 elections to the European Parliament reached a 25-year high, driven
by young and first-time voters and increased participation of women.

However, EU citizens believe that more should be done to inform them on their EU
citizenship rights, for example, via awareness-raising campaigns.


>60%

of EU citizens think not enough is being done to inform them about their EU
citizenship rights according to the Public Consultation on EU citizenship Rights
2020.

In order to strengthen democracy, citizen’s empowerment and integration, the
European Commission will take the following actions:

 * 1
   
   
   UPDATE EU RULES ON VOTING RIGHTS IN MUNICIPAL AND EUROPEAN ELECTIONS
   
   The Commission will update the directives on electoral rights of mobile EU
   citizens in municipal and European elections. This would involve revising,
   clarifying and strengthening the rules in order to ensure that they support
   the broad and inclusive participation of mobile EU citizens.

 * 2
   
   
   WORK CLOSER WITH THE EUROPEAN COOPERATION NETWORK ON ELECTIONS
   
   The Commission will work with the Member States through the European
   Cooperation Network on Elections to facilitate and improve the exercise of
   their electoral rights of EU citizens.

 * 3
   
   
   SUPPORT INDEPENDENT ELECTION OBSERVATION
   
   Election observation is a good way to engage citizens with the electoral
   process, and to improve public trust in free and fair elections. The
   Commission will fund projects on independent election observation, including
   by citizens.

 * 4
   
   
   SUPPORT DELIBERATIVE DEMOCRACY AND INNOVATE CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION IN THE EU
   LEGISLATIVE PROCESS
   
   Empowered citizens should have the tools, the channels and the skills to make
   their voices heard in the public arena so they can contribute directly to
   shaping public policies at all levels. The Commission will take innovative
   approaches to involving the active participation of citizens in the
   legislative process to ensure that EU laws are fit-for-purpose and align with
   EU values.

 * 5
   
   
   SUPPORT THE INCLUSION OF EU CITIZENS IN EU SOCIETY
   
   The Commission will fund specific local actions that aim to support the
   inclusion of EU citizens in EU society via the Citizens, Equality, Rights and
   Values programme.

 * 6
   
   
   RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF CULTURAL PARTICIPATION FOR SOCIETY
   AND DEMOCRACY
   
   The Commission will raise EU-wide awareness about the importance of
   participation in culture for society and democracy via targeted actions
   including funding.


Want to learn more about democracy, empowerment and inclusion?



FACILITATING FREE MOVEMENT AND SIMPLIFYING DAILY LIFE

The freedom of movement, which allows any EU citizen to live, work or study in
any Member State, is the most cherished right by EU citizens.

13.3M

estimate of the number of EU citizens who have exercised this right and moved to
another Member State.

20%

of the respondents to the Public Consultation on EU citizenship Rights 2020 have
lived in one Member State and worked in another.

>80%

of EU citizens thought that the free movement within the EU brings overall
benefits to the economy of their country.

3.7M

estimate of EU citizens living in the UK. Brexit has had a significant impact on
these EU citizens.

However, moving abroad can still entail a number of legal and administrative
challenges. The European Commission supports Member States and EU citizens in
addressing these issues by taking the following actions:

 * 7
   
   
   UPDATE THE EU GUIDELINES ON FREE MOVEMENT
   
   The Commission will update the EU guidelines on free movement to take into
   account the diversity of families (rainbow families) and the application of
   measures introduced due to public health concerns. The 2009 Guidelines
   offered information and assistance to both Member States and EU citizens on
   the issues identified as problematic in the exercise of free movement for EU
   citizens.

 * 8
   
   
   PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF EU CITIZENS RESIDING IN THE UK
   
   In line with the Withdrawal Agreement, the Commission will continue to
   support the protection of the rights of EU citizens who, as a result of
   exercising their right to free movement while the UK was still a member of
   the EU, were resident in the UK before the end of the transition period.

 * 9
   
   
   PROMOTE THE INCLUSION OF CROSS-BORDER E-GOVERNMENT AND E-BUSINESS SOLUTIONS
   INTO NEWLY ISSUED ID CARDS
   
   The Commission will work with Member States to promote the inclusions of
   cross-border e-government and e-business solutions into newly issued ID
   cards.

 * 10
   
   
   SIMPLIFY TAX OBLIGATIONS FOR EU CITIZENS
   
   The Commission intends to issue recommendations to improve the situation of
   taxpayers with cross-border activities, including frontier workers.

 * 11
   
   
   SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF JOURNEY PLANNERS INVOLVING SEVERAL MODES OF
   TRANSPORT
   
   The Commission will launch an initiative to support further the development
   of journey planners involving several modes of transport, as well as digital
   services facilitating the booking and payment of the different mobility
   offers.


Want to learn more about free movement?



PROTECTING AND PROMOTING EU CITIZENSHIP

EU citizenship and its associated rights are a symbol of our shared European
identity and the knowledge that we all belong to a community based on the
principles of democracy, rule of law and the respect for fundamental rights.

Promoting and protecting the values and integrity of EU citizenship is of great
importance – this includes ensuring that citizenship is not undermined or that
rights are not restricted.

37%

of EU citizens feel informed about what they can do when their rights as EU
citizens are not respected.

+10M

people have participated in Erasmus+ (and its predecessor programmes) over the
last 3 decades. This programme plays an important part in promoting EU
citizenship and common values.

The European Commission will take the following actions to promote and protect
EU citizenship:

 * 12
   
   
   CONTINUE TO MONITOR ‘GOLDEN PASSPORTS SCHEMES’ FOR EU CITIZENSHIP AND ACT AS
   NECESSARY
   
   EU values and principles such as solidarity among Member State nationals are
   weakened if being part of the European project, the enjoyment of its rights,
   and participation in its democratic life is subject to a mere economic
   transaction. The Commission will continue to monitor the risks posed by
   investor schemes for EU citizenship, including in the context of ongoing
   infringement procedures, and intervene as necessary.

 * 13
   
   
   PROPOSE NEW EQUALITY AND ANTI-DISCRIMINATION MEASURES, INCLUDING:
   
   The Commission adopted the 2020-2025 EU gender equality strategy, EU
   anti-racism action plan and strategic frameworks on LGBTIQ and Roma. The
   Commission will propose new equality and anti-discrimination measures
   including:
   • Proposal to prevent and combat gender-based violence and domestic violence
   • Initiative to extend the list of EU crimes to all forms of hate crime and
   hate speech
   • Strategy on the rights of persons with disabilities and Communication on
   the EU strategy on combating antisemitism.

 * 14
   
   
   FOSTER THE SENSE OF EUROPEAN IDENTITY AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE
   
   The Commission will support young Europeans’ sense of European identity
   through the ERASMUS+ programme, the European Solidarity Corps Programme and
   the Jean Monnet Actions.

 * 15
   
   
   KEEP MONITORING THE IMPACT OF RESTRICTIVE MEASURES
   
   The Commission will continue to monitor the impact of restrictive measures,
   specifically those put in place during crises, on EU citizenship rights, free
   and fair elections and a fair democratic debate until such measures are
   lifted. It will continue to facilitate Member States exchange best practices
   on these issues in the European Cooperation Network on Elections.

   


Want to learn more about protecting EU citizenship?



PROTECTING EU CITIZENS IN EUROPE AND ABROAD, INCLUDING IN TIMES OF CRISIS OR
EMERGENCY

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected Europeans in different ways and highlighted
and exacerbated existing inequalities in our society. The COVID-19 pandemic has
also emphasized the value of solidarity among Member States and citizens.

7M

EU citizens travel to or live in countries where they do not have access to
consular protection provided by their home country.

~90%

of respondents to the Public Consultation on EU citizenship Rights 2020
indicated that EU delegations should take a more active role in assisting
unrepresented EU citizens.

+600

thousand European citizens affected by COVID-19 travel restrictions were brought
home in an unprecedented coordination effort of the EU and its Member States.

70%

of the respondents to the Public Consultation on EU citizenship Rights 2020
could find the information they needed on the pandemic through the national and
EU institutions, or through the media.

The European Commission will take the following actions:

 * 16
   
   
   IMPLEMENT TOGETHER WITH THE MEMBER STATES THE EU STRATEGY FOR COVID-19
   VACCINES
   
   The Commission will implement the EU strategy for COVID-19 vaccines together
   with the Member States, giving all citizens quick, equitable and affordable
   access to these vaccines. The Commission has also proposed a new EU health
   programme - EU4Health, which will support actions to protect citizens in the
   Union from serious cross-border threats to health.

 * 17
   
   
   INCREASE OUR SUPPORT FOR YOUTH
   
   The Commission will increase its support for young EU citizens, including
   those from disadvantaged groups, to help them access education, training and
   finally the labour market through the strengthened Youth Guarantee scheme.

 * 18
   
   
   REVIEW EU RULES ON CONSULAR PROTECTION
   
   The Commission will review in 2021 EU rules on consular protection in order
   to improve the EU’s and Member States’ preparedness and capacity to protect
   and support European citizens in times of crisis. This would enhance
   cooperation among Member States and strengthen the EU’s supporting role,
   making best use of its unique network of EU delegations to provide consular
   assistance to EU citizens in case of need, for example, by allowing them to
   organise of repatriation flights and issue emergency travel documents.


Want to learn more about protecting EU citizens in times of crises?


LIBRARY

For more information about EU citizenship, check out the:

 * EU citizenship Report 2020
 * Factsheet “Results of the Public Consultation on EU citizenship Rights 2020”
 * Factsheet “Empowering citizens and protecting their rights”
 * Report under Article 25 TFEU on the effective exercise of EU citizenship
   rights


SHARE THE NEWS!

You are the biggest asset to raise awareness about EU citizenship!

By talking about the EU citizenship report, you will help amplify the messages
and reach all EU citizens.

Download the communication toolkit, and spread the word.


 * Twitter
 * Facebook



Disclaimer: Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged. The
information and views set out in this website are those of the author(s) and do
not necessarily reflect the official opinion of DG JUST, the European Commission
or other European Institutions. DG JUST does not guarantee the accuracy of the
data included in this website. Neither DG JUST, nor the Commission or any person
acting on their be half may be held responsible for the use which may be made of
the information contained therein.

   
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