Citizenship of the Union

SUMMARY OF:

Article 20 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union

Article 9 of the Treaty on European Union

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE ARTICLES?

Citizenship of the Union is a right provided for in Article 20 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) and in Article 9 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU). Anyone who is a national of an EU Member State is automatically a citizen of the Union. This right is thus enshrined in the European Union’s (EU) treaties and is a key factor in developing a European identity. Citizenship of the Union does not replace national citizenship. It is additional to it and gives people specific rights. These rights are further specified in the treaties as well as in the Charter of Fundamental Rights.

• Article 20 TFEU establishes the citizenship of the Union to which all persons holding the nationality of a Member State are entitled. It also lists the main rights and duties of citizens of the Union.
• Article 9 TEU recalls that all persons holding the nationality of a Member State are citizens of the Union. It requires the EU to observe the principle of the equality of its citizens, who shall receive equal attention from its institutions, bodies, offices and agencies.

KEY POINTS

• Citizenship of the Union gives people the right to:
  • non-discrimination on the grounds of nationality;
  • travel and take up residence anywhere in the European Union;
  • vote and stand as a candidate in European and local elections where they are living;
  • diplomatic protection and consular support around the world from any other EU country if one’s own country is not represented there;
  • petition the European Parliament on any issue within the EU’s responsibility;
  • raise perceived cases of maladministration by any EU institution with the European Ombudsman;
  • write to any EU institution in one of the EU’s official languages and receive a reply in the same language;
  • access Parliament, Council of the European Union and European Commission documents under certain conditions;
  • participate in public exams to enter the EU civil service.

The Lisbon Treaty introduced an additional form of public participation: the citizens’ initiative. This allows one million citizens coming from at least seven Member States to ask the Commission to submit a proposal in any field in which it has the power to propose a legal act.

BACKGROUND

For more information, see:

• EU citizenship (Europa website).

MAIN DOCUMENTS

Consolidated version of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union — Part Two — Non-discrimination and citizenship of the Union — Article 20 (ex Article 17 TEC) (OJ C 202, 7.6.2016, pp. 56-57)

Consolidated version of the Treaty on European Union — Title II — Provisions on democratic principles — Article 9 (OJ C 202, 7.6.2016, p. 20)

last update 30.06.2021