European Citizenship: Your rights

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Did you know that by simply having the nationality of a Member State of the European Union you have also the European citizenship? European citizenship is a civilian status, not replace, state citizenship, a European person has automatically. Therefore, the sum always European citizenship, is added or complemented nationality you have. This generates a series of rights and benefits for the sake of being a European citizen. In short, if you are a citizen of an EU Member State, congratulations! Already a citizen of the European Union. At first glance, having European citizenship does not say much. However, many of the natural procedures performed or we will have much to do with this freedom but if we do not explain what we would not know that these rights have a direct effect originating from the European Union.

You must know that all European citizens are equal. Therefore, there is equal treatment. This implies that nationality is not an exclusionary or discriminatory condition that states can apply. For example, a student of German or Spanish in Germany, should be irrelevant for the grant paid by the state (unless you travel, of course). Therefore, we all have the same conditions as citizens in any Member State of the European Union.

Among the many advantages we have by having European citizenship, here we highlight some of the most important:

-Exclusive Rights

The rights conferred by citizenship of the Union in accordance with the Treaties are:

-Right to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States.

-Right to perform any job in the Member States except those reserved public sector, for security reasons, to nationals.

-Right of access to documents of the Parliament, the Council and the European Commission.

-Right to vote and stand as candidates in elections to the European Parliament and in municipal elections in the Member State of residence, under the same conditions as nationals of that State.

-Right to enjoy, in the territory of a third country not represented the Member State of which they are nationals, protection of diplomatic and consular authorities of any Member State.

-Right to petition the European Parliament, to apply to the European Ombudsman, and to address the institutions and advisory bodies of the Union in one of the languages ​​of the Treaties and to obtain a reply in the same language.

-Right of initiative to ask the Commission to present a bill.

Rights for all

The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union stated in a single text the civil, political, economic and social that are protected equally in all Member States.

In the EU are also protected consumers, who enjoy specific rights. These rights are not exclusive to European citizens, but extend to any person who performs a commercial transaction in the EU, even online.

Find out about consumer rights

Advantages of being European

Be a citizen of the Union to offer, on the other hand, a number of advantages and facilities, in some cases financial-in health, education, training, work and pensions.

For example, the EU has adopted a directive establishing a system of mutual recognition of university qualifications applicable to all races with a duration of three years at least.

European citizens traveling within the Union can obtain from the authorities of your country have a European Health Insurance Card, which helps cover medical expenses if you get sick in another country.

In addition...

1. If you travel by the EU...

You are not required to show any identification card at the border. However, we do need to board transport and, above all, to identify in another state or in your own state.

If you have problems with your flight, you should know that you are entitled to reimbursement or rerouting if you are denied boarding, over 5 hours late, or if there is overbooking. Additionally, if you canceled the flight, you are denied boarding or arrive with more than 3 hours late, you are entitled to financial compensation in range 250 € and 600 € (depending on the Km).

Did you know that you can travel with your pet freely throughout the EU with the only requirement of having the passport of the animal? This passport is valid for dogs, cats and ferrets. Passports are issued by veterinarians.

Finally, you should know that there is no restriction to transport animals or dairy products within the EU.

2. If you have European driving license...

If you are a national of a Member State of the European Union (Spanish, for example), you should know that driving license you can drive across the Union. Similarly, both the vehicle insurance as part for claims is completely valid in all Member States (obviously has to be in force).

For 6 months you can drive your vehicle by another member state without having to pay any tax or new registration. But, stay more than six months residence is understood as what it does, then it should re-register the vehicle in the new state of residence.

Also, thanks to a European Directive, insurance companies can no longer discriminate between man and woman when offering auto insurance.

3. If you are a student...

For starters, the equal treatment which involves initially talked, for example, that an Italian resident in Finland has the same rights and duties as any other Finnish. It is possible that a school can bring some kind of language test. This is logical and consistent, however, the school also must have certain exceptions: for example, if the Italian boy has the whole family working and living in Finland seems logical that the Italian boy will have to enroll in school.

If you're a college student in another EU country, you pay the same rates as any national of that State. This implies, for example, that an Englishman will not pay any fees to enroll in a Masters in Sweden (since there is completely free education). However, as in England, education is not free in its entirety, the Swedish student must pay fees to any Englishman would pay to enroll in a Masters in England. One of the exceptions that apply to students is that to get scholarships or States' own subsistence, they must have lived at least 5 years in the State where you are studying. However, many states have scholarships to non-nationals, or both, the original State Student often offer scholarships for out of state students.

One of the most important benefits if you're a college student of the European Union, is the ability to go from Erasmus to study or do internships. Receive EU subsidies, and sometimes the member states themselves. Furthermore, recognition of college credit is automatic and, why deny it, Erasmus is one of the best experiences that a European citizen can have. Until the entry of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA or Bologna Plan), the recognition of university degrees was not automatic. Now, with this new model of higher education, ECTS credits are common throughout the EU. This, in the future, not only should help increase mobility but also automatically recognize qualifications throughout the EU.

If you are a researcher, you are entitled to take advantage of emerging opportunities and job training grants and scholarships funded by member countries but not a resident or have another nationality.

4. If you want to study or live in another EU country...

As a student, worker or pensioner can live up to three months in another Member State without notice. Passing these three months, you must register in the Register of the State where you reside which issue a certificate. If more than 5 years lived permanently in another Member State ... automatically would receive the right to permanent residence.

May. Shopping in the EU...

You must know that any product you buy first hand any EU Member State and through any medium has a two year warranty. This means that you are eligible for repair or replacement of the defective product (or it does not correspond with advertising) during these two years. And always the seller will be held responsible. It is very important to note that this warranty is not replaceable by any other that we may acquire additional warranty. Used products will have a minimum of one year warranty.

The tax impact on the state where you purchased the product. However, if you buy a vehicle you should pay VAT in the State where you go to register the vehicle.

MAKE ENFORCE YOUR RIGHTS. Currently, many companies and professionals that offer their services in the EU discriminate against customers who live in another European country. Some may continue to act in this way, even with the entry into force of the new EU rules.

Your rights are not respected when an online store does not sell a product, a supermarket refuses to give the customer card or you're forced to pay more to book your holiday simply because you live in another EU country.

If you decide to buy online, phone, fax or mail, remember you have the right to receive all information regarding the company and the product. There is also the so-called right of withdrawal. This implies that a European citizen has 7 days to cancel minimum purchase made with or without defects. Upon cancellation, the seller must integrate the amount of the band plus shipping in full.

6. Your Health in the EU ...

To stay in the EU, the European Health Insurance Card will cover all possible expenses in case of medical problems in the EU Member States. It is living proof of having a valid insurance (in all EU countries, this right is automatic in the European citizenship since health is universal in all EU Member States.). So, never forget your card. The EHIC will guarantee a European citizen to receive the same conditions as nationals of that other State in the EU.