European Citizenship

Abstract

Citizenship of the European Union, established by Article 20 TFEU, is a fundamental status automatically granted to any person holding the nationality of a Member State. It is additional to national citizenship and does not replace it, providing Union citizens with a specific set of enforceable rights. These include the freedom of movement and residence, the right to vote and stand as a candidate in European and municipal elections, consular protection, and the right to petition Union institutions or initiate a European Citizens' Initiative. While the granting and withdrawal of nationality remain within the exclusive competence of each Member State, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has ruled that this power must be exercised "with due regard to Union law." Through landmark cases such as Micheletti, Rottmann, and Tjebbes, the Court has established that states must observe the principle of proportionality when withdrawing nationality. This judicial oversight ensures that the loss of national nationality—and consequently the loss of Union citizenship—does not disproportionately deprive individuals of their fundamental European rights. Historically, European citizenship has evolved from the economic concept of a "market citizen" during the early EEC era to a multi-faceted political and social identity. Key institutional milestones, including the Spinelli Draft, the Adonnino Committee reports, and the Treaties of Maastricht, Amsterdam, and Lisbon, have gradually strengthened the role of the individual within the European integration process. Today, Union citizenship serves as a primary tool for fostering a common European identity and consciousness, representing what the Court describes as the "fundamental status of nationals of the Member States."