[Continued from As An EU Citizen, Can I Live Anywhere In Europe? (Part 1)]
Right to refuse residence on public order and health grounds
If your actions constitute a serious threat to public order, security, or health, your right to reside in another country may be restricted. If an EU country takes any decision in relation to your residence on these grounds, you must be told the reasons for the decision. You must also be given sufficient time to prepare a defence and submit an appeal.
Five year uninterrupted residence
After five years of uninterrupted residence, EU citizens and their family members acquire a permanent right of residence, which can no longer be subject to any conditions.
Right to vote and stand for elections
Every EU citizen has the right to vote and stand as a candidate in elections in the country where he or she has a right of residence, under the same conditions as nationals of that country.
Right to an education
As EU citizens, you and your children are entitled to study in any EU country under the same conditions as nationals of that country.
Child students
Your children have the right to be placed in a class with their own age group, at the equivalent level to their class in your country of origin - regardless of their language level. Indeed, if you are an EU national migrating to another EU country for work, your children are entitled under EU law to receive free language tuition in your new home country to help them adapt to the school system there.
Adult students
To study in another EU country for a period of less than three months (if you want to take a language course, for example), all you need is a valid identity card or passport from an EU country.
If you want to study in another EU country for more than three months, you must:
- be enrolled at an approved educational establishment;
- be covered by comprehensive health insurance;
- have sufficient resources to support yourself and your family (if they are moving with you) - for more information, read the 'Right of Residence' section above.
The country you move to may require that you register your residence with the relevant authorities (often the town hall or local police station).
Enforcing your rights
If you feel your EU rights have been violated, you should first complain to the authority concerned. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may want to contact the Citizens Signpost Service (CSS), a free multilingual EU legal advice service.
You may ultimately decide that legal proceedings are necessary. To find a quality-assured solicitor in your area who can advise you on this process, you may want to use a free solicitor-referral service like Contact Law.
