The European citizenship as a factor of integration

More than 16 million EU citizens are currently living or working in a Member State other than that of which they are nationals and many more move across the Union for business or holidays, or simply to visit relatives and friends145. Unfortunately, however, many still find it difficult to exercise their rights mainly because of lack of information or by reason of long and unclear administrative procedures. Over the years, the ECJ has accepted the challenge and through a step-by-step approach has used citizenship to promote integration. Building upon the “fundamental status” of nationals of the Member States, the Luxembourg judges have allowed EU citizens and their family members, including third country nationals, to exercise free movement rights independently of their economic activities and move in the Union without discriminatory restrictions creating stable ties with the host Member State. By doing so the Court has effectively created a direct link between the EU citizens and the EU institutions. Despite some significant limitations concerning family reunification for static citizens and access to social benefits in the host Member State, the right to move and reside freely on the territory of another Member State has been taken very seriously, also in light of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights146. This Chapter has focused on three aspects in particular: acquisition and loss of citizenship, registration of names and the right to reside freely on the territory of the Union.