Families with mixed nationalities [What Europe does for you]

With European elections coming up in May 2019, you probably want to know how the European Union impacts your daily life, before you think about voting. In the latest in a series of posts on what Europe does for you, your family, your business and your wellbeing, we look at what Europe does for families with mixed nationalities.

Twitter Hashtag #EUandME

Are you an EU citizen and your spouse or registered partner, dependent child or parent is a non-EU citizen?

EU law ensures that your family members can move with you from one EU country to another. Your spouse, children under 21 and some other dependent family members have the right to reside in the same country, irrespective of their nationality.

Moreover, several EU policies help third-country nationals to stay in close touch with their culture and country of origin.  For example, the EU’s external aviation policy has made international travel easier, safer and cheaper, allowing to stay in touch with loved ones abroad. The EU has also made it safer and cheaper to send money to relatives in non-EU countries. New legislation will strengthen consumer rights when sending transfers and money remittances outside the EU or paying in non-EU currencies.

The EU also has one of the most extensive sets of anti-discrimination legislation in the world. The EU’s Charter of Fundamental Rights prohibits discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, ethnic origin and religion or belief. The EU has passed detailed legislation that addresses discrimination in various areas of life. EU countries are also bound to use criminal law to combat public incitement to violence and hatred against people of different race, colour, religion, or national or ethnic descent.

Further information

• European Commission, website ‘The right to reside’, http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=460&langId=en
• Payment Services Directive, http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-15-5793_en.htm
• European Agency for Fundamental Rights, http://fra.europa.eu/en/theme/racism-related-intolerances

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeONYBIqjdI