In a landmark move, the European Commission has proposed a package of measures to strengthen EU citizenship rights, marking the 30th anniversary of the establishment of this key EU concept. The package includes a revision of the Consular Protection Directive, new guidance on free movement, a guide of good electoral practices for citizens with disabilities, a compendium of e-voting practices, and a guide to EU citizenship.
The Commission also adopted its first report on implementation of the European Citizens’ Initiative Regulation and released the latest Citizenship and Democracy Eurobarometer survey. The survey found that 50% of respondents feel well informed about their EU citizenship rights, but a significant portion remains unaware of their entitlements.
Key Initiatives to strengthen EU Citizenship Rights
- Revised Consular Protection Directive: This proposal aims to provide better and easier protection for EU citizens in third countries, where their country of nationality does not have a consulate or embassy.
- New Guidance on Free Movement: This guidance will help Member State authorities and national courts correctly apply EU free movement rules, taking into account recent developments in case law and the diversity of families. More information
- Guide of Good Electoral Practices for Citizens with Disabilities: This guide will promote the participation of citizens with disabilities in the electoral process by sharing best practices from across the EU.
- Compendium of E-voting Practices: This compendium will gather e-voting and other Information and Communication Technology practices from across the EU to further promote the exercise of electoral rights. More information
- Guide to EU Citizenship: This guide will equip EU citizens with essential information on their rights, with a focus on young people and people who recently acquired EU citizenship. More information
Strengthening Awareness
The Commission is committed to raising awareness of EU citizenship rights among EU citizens. The 2023 Eurobarometer found that while 50% of respondents feel well informed, 33% do not feel very well informed and 16% feel not informed at all. The Commission will continue to work with Member States and civil society to improve awareness and access to information.
Next Steps
This package of measures represents a significant step forward in strengthening EU citizenship rights and empowering EU citizens to fully participate in the European project.
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