This is lesson 20 of the second module of EUPress Teacher Training, which covers the macro topic of ‘EU Citizenship and Democracy’.
This lesson will explore EU citizens’ awareness of their rights.
From freedom of movement to the right to petition the European Parliament, EU citizenship comes with a set of powerful rights designed to strengthen democracy and solidarity across borders. But how many Europeans are aware of them? According to recent data discussed in the EUPress lesson on EU citizenship, public awareness is steadily improving — though significant gaps remain.
Rights on paper — and in practice
European Union citizenship grants several key rights, including:
- The right to move and reside freely within the EU
- The right to vote and stand in municipal and European Parliament elections
- The right to consular protection by another EU member state when abroad
- The right to petition the European Parliament or apply to the European Ombudsman
Most EU citizens know at least some of these. For instance, almost 90% of respondents are aware that they can file a complaint with EU institutions such as the Ombudsman — an independent body created in 1995 to investigate cases of maladministration within EU bodies.
Similarly, over 80% know that they can live elsewhere in the EU — a right regulated by the 2004 Citizenship Directive. Yet that still leaves 15% unaware of this core benefit of EU membership.
The value of free movement — understood, but not fully explained
One of the most widely recognised rights is the freedom to live and work in any EU member state. When asked whether free movement benefits their country’s economy, more than 80% agreed, with nearly half saying they “totally agree”. This marks a rise of 13 percentage points since 2015, and an even stronger jump (16 points) in those “totally” convinced.
This shift in perception matters: as the lecturer emphasizes, public opinion shapes political legitimacy. Positive attitudes toward EU rights encourage governments to deepen cooperation, while skepticism tends to empower Eurosceptic forces.
Information matters — and more is needed
Despite this progress, a significant number of citizens still feel not well-informed about what they can do when their rights are violated — whether it’s discrimination in another member state, loss of voting rights, or denial of consular support abroad.
This suggests a clear priority for EU institutions: communicating not just the benefits of EU citizenship, but its concrete legal protections.
The gap between formal rights and lived awareness is closing — but only gradual, consistent outreach can fully bridge it.
