(1)

A request for registration of a European citizens’ initiative entitled ‘EU Stars On My Passport (STAR-PASS)’ was submitted to the Commission on 30 September 2025.

(2)

The aim of the initiative as expressed by the organisers is to ‘invite the European Commission to facilitate the introduction by the EU Member States of an additional option for the cover design of passports, offered to citizens applying for a new passport’. They consider that this option, which ‘would coexist with the current burgundy passport cover’, should ‘feature a blue background with the circle of gold stars – the EU symbol’ and the words ‘EUROPEAN UNION’ displayed prominently. An annex to the initiative provides further details on its background, its subject matter and its objectives.

(3)

The Commission considers that it could adopt a proposal for a legal act on the cover design of passports based on Article 77(2)(b) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which empowers the European Parliament and the Council, acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, to adopt measures concerning the checks to which persons crossing external borders are subject.

(4)

For that reason, the Commission considers that none of the parts of the initiative manifestly falls outside the framework of the Commission’s powers to submit a proposal for a legal act of the Union for the purpose of implementing the Treaties.

(5)

That conclusion does not affect the assessment of whether the concrete substantive conditions required for the Commission to act, including compliance with the principles of proportionality and subsidiarity and compatibility with fundamental rights, would be met in this case.

(6)

The group of organisers has provided appropriate evidence that it fulfils the requirements laid down in Article 5(1) and (2) of Regulation (EU) 2019/788 and has designated the contact persons in accordance with Article 5(3), first subparagraph, of that Regulation.

(7)

The initiative is not manifestly abusive, frivolous or vexatious, nor is it manifestly contrary to the values of the Union as set out in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union or to the rights enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.

(8)

The initiative entitled ‘EU Stars On My Passport (STAR-PASS)’ should therefore be registered.

(9)

The conclusion that the conditions for registration under Article 6(3) of Regulation (EU) 2019/788 are fulfilled does not imply that the Commission in any way confirms the factual correctness of the content of the initiative, which is the sole responsibility of the group of organisers of the initiative. The content of the initiative only expresses the views of the group of organisers, and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the Commission,