Understanding European Union Citizenship and Member Rights

Defining EU Citizenship and Belonging

Citizenship encompasses both legal status and the affective dimension of belonging within a political community.

EU Citizen Population

The European Union currently encompasses approximately 450 million citizens.

Fundamental Elements of Citizenship

• Contractual: Legal and constitutional elements reinforcing mutual obligations.
• Historical: A shared past, often summarized by the concept of Civis Romanus sum (I am a Roman citizen).
• Ontological: The identity and affective dimension of civic identity and belonging.
• Normative: The established standards and rules governing citizenship.

Key Rights for European Union Citizens

Established by Article 20 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU)

1. Right to Petition

   Citizens can contact the European Commission, which has an obligation to respond to their petitions.

2. Diplomatic and Consular Protection

   If a citizen's national embassy is absent in a non-EU country, they have the right to be assisted by any other EU Member State embassy present in that territory. This embassy is obligated to serve them as if they were a national.

3. Voting Rights

   The right to vote every five years for the European Parliament (EP), as well as the right to stand as a candidate in those elections.

4. Freedom of Movement and Residency

   Every EU citizen has the right to travel freely between member states and stay for up to three months simply by presenting their national ID or passport. After three months, registration as a resident is required, subject to specific conditions:

   • Workers with an employment contract: Unlimited stay.
   • Jobseekers: Stay is limited to up to six months.
   • Pensioners or Students: Stay is generally unlimited, provided they meet specific requirements (e.g., sufficient resources or enrollment).

Indirect Benefits of EU Membership

• Affordable travel and telecommunications costs across the bloc.
• Strong health and safety standards for products and services.
• Access to a wide variety of goods and foods from across the continent.

Economic and Social Differences Among EU Member States

• Wage Disparity: Hourly rates vary significantly, ranging approximately from £4/hour to £40/hour.
• Economic Structure: Some countries rely on large industries and strong exports, while others focus primarily on services, tourism, and natural resources.

• Eurozone Participation Challenges

  Not all members use the Euro. As demonstrated by the Greek crisis, it is challenging to unify vastly different national economies under a single currency while leaving their fiscal and economic policies separated.

Reflecting on Limitations

Consider the inherent limitations of citizenship without a unified army or a formal constitution.

Arguments for an EU Constitution

• Legitimacy: Unlike treaties, a constitution typically requires direct legitimization by citizens (e.g., via a referendum).
• Governance Structure: A constitution attempts to streamline and reorganize potentially incohesive governance structures.
• Fundamental Rights: It identifies and embeds the fundamental rights and duties owed by governments to their citizens.
• Defining Relationships: It establishes a clear relationship between the governing bodies and the citizens.