Cross borders, no checks
Most of Europe is in the Schengen area, so there are no passport checks at internal borders. Still bring your ID.
p. 06½Rights of the bearer · full list
All your EU rights, in one place.
Being an EU citizen comes with perks most people never hear about. Here are 25 worth knowing, from travel and shopping to your voice.
Healthcare on the go
The European Health Insurance Card gives you necessary public healthcare in another EU country, on the same terms as locals.
Roam like at home
Calls, texts and mobile data in other EU countries cost the same as at home, within fair use.
Train late? Money back
If your train arrives 1 to 2 hours late, you can usually get 25% of the ticket price back, and 50% if it’s 2 hours or more.
Flight delayed or cancelled
If your flight is cancelled or lands 3 or more hours late, you may get €250 to €600, depending on the distance. Not when extreme weather or similar is to blame.
Help from any EU embassy
Outside the EU and your country has no embassy there? The embassy or consulate of any other EU country has to help you like its own citizens.
Your driving licence works everywhere
A driving licence from one EU country is valid in all the others.
Work anywhere in the EU
As an EU citizen you can live and work in any EU country, with no work permit needed.
Study abroad
Erasmus+ helps you study or do a traineeship in another country, with funding to support you.
Volunteer abroad
With the European Solidarity Corps, 18 to 30 year olds can volunteer in another country for 2 weeks up to a year. Travel, food, a place to stay and insurance are covered, plus pocket money.
A free travel pass at 18
Turning 18? With DiscoverEU you can apply for a free travel pass to explore Europe, mostly by train.
Paid holidays, fair hours
You get at least 4 weeks of paid holiday a year, and your working week can’t go over 48 hours on average.
Equal pay
Women and men must be paid the same for the same work or work of equal value.
Job hunting abroad
Out of work? You can keep your unemployment benefit for at least 3 months while you look for a job in another EU country.
Your diploma counts
Your qualifications can be recognised in another EU country, so you can work or keep studying there.
14 days to change your mind
Bought something online from an EU seller? In most cases you have 14 days to send it back.
2 years of protection
Anything you buy from a seller in the EU comes with at least a 2-year legal guarantee. If it turns out faulty, the seller has to repair or replace it.
Your subscriptions travel with you
Paid streaming, music and gaming subscriptions keep working when you’re temporarily in another EU country.
No geo-blocking
Online shops in the EU can’t block you or charge you more just because you’re from another EU country. Some copyrighted content, like films, is an exception.
Delete your data
In many cases you can ask a company to delete the personal data it has about you, for example when it no longer needs it.
Vote where you live
Living in another EU country? You can vote, and even run, in its local and European Parliament elections.
Propose a new EU law
With a European Citizens’ Initiative, 1 million signatures from at least 7 EU countries make the Commission respond to your idea.
Petition the Parliament
Any EU citizen or resident can send a petition to the European Parliament about something the EU deals with.
Write in your own language
You can write to any EU institution in any of the 24 official languages and get an answer in the same language.
Complain to the Ombudsman
If an EU institution treats you unfairly or ignores you, the European Ombudsman can look into it. It’s free.
This is a simple guide, not legal advice. Rules can have exceptions, so check the details on Your Europe: europa.eu/youreurope