Your rights – and how to use them
If you are a citizen of an EU country, by definition you enjoy EU citizenship and have the right to actively take part in the political life of the EU.
Have your say
- The Have your say portal gives you the opportunity to shape EU policies by contributing to the EU’s consultations on planned initiatives.
- Share your ideas with the Fit for Future platform to help cut red tape and make existing EU laws simpler and fitter for the future.
- Meet face-to-face with EU representatives to discuss subjects you are interested in by attending citizens’ dialogue events, held regularly around the EU.
European Citizens’ Initiative
Help set the EU policymaking agenda by taking part in the European Citizens’ Initiative. This allows you to ask the European Commission to prepare legislation on an issue that matters to you and which falls within its powers. You will need to demonstrate that there is widespread support for your initiative.
Once an initiative has reached 1 million signatures and the minimum thresholds in 7 EU countries, the Commission will decide what action to take, if any.
European and local elections
Find out information on how to register to vote or stand as a candidate in local and European elections, including in the country where you live if you are an EU national living in another EU country. Find out what conditions apply.
Petition the European Parliament
Find out information on how to start, submit and support a petition to the European Parliament on an EU-related policy that affects you.
Principle of multilingualism
Find out information on upcoming citizens’ dialogues, where you can meet EU representatives to debate EU issues that affect you in town-hall style events, which are held regularly around the EU. Click on the link to find out what was discussed during previous citizens’ dialogues.
Find out information on the results and findings of Eurobarometer opinion polls from 1974 to the present day. A standard poll consists of approximately 1000 face-to-face interviews per EU country on a topical EU issue affecting the public.
E-communities service (SINAPSE)
Are you an expert in EU policymaking and governance? Register with SINAPSE, an online platform where you can create or join e-communities of other experts to freely exchange information on policymaking issues.
The project "Building Europe with Local Councillors" gathers locally elected councillors from all EU countries and helps them communicate with their local audiences on EU topics.