The right to consular protection for EU citizens in distress in third countries is not fully effective
EU citizens who travel to a non-EU country in which their home Member State does not have an embassy or consulate have the right to consular protection by any other Member State. The EU Member State's embassy or consulate should treat them in the same way they would treat their own nationals. However, only in three countries (United States, China and Russia) are all 27 Member States represented. With more and more Europeans travelling for business or pleasure to third countries, there is a rising need for consular assistance of unrepresented EU citizens. The effectiveness of EU citizens’ right to consular protection remains to be proven. Even though there is a lack of systematic data, it is clear from complaints and reported cases that EU citizens and, at times, consular officials, are not yet sufficiently aware that EU citizens have the right to turn to other embassies or consulates and are not sure what kind of help can be given.
3. The right to free movement is blocked by different and incorrect application of EUlaw and by tiresome administrative procedures The principle of free movement of persons has developed constantly over the last 40 years to include all EU citizens. It is one of the most important and cherished individual rights of EU citizens. EU citizens still face difficulties and unacceptable delays when seeking to obtain registration certificates: they are often required to submit additional documents (e.g. electricity bills) not prescribed by EU rules. EU citizens residing in a Member State other than their own too often face problems with access to various benefits and advantages, as they are discriminated against on the grounds of their nationality. They may even encounter problems with the surnames they want to hand down to their children in accordance with the legislation of their Member State of origin. Obstacles to the right of entry and the issuance of residence cards to third-country family members accompanying or joining EU citizens moving to other Member States include excessive requirements for documents to be submitted, cumbersome administrative procedures and delays.
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