How to enforce your rights
Do you have a problem enforcing your EU rights?
At times EU citizens may run into difficulties in exercising or asserting their rights as EU citizens. Problems may arise, for example, concerning voting rights, car registration, recognition of qualifications, cross-border transfer of welfare entitlements, customs and taxation issues, establishment of a company, or setting oneself up as self-employed in another Member State. In such instances, if your rights are infringed, there are a number of places where you can seek assistance.
examines complaints by EU citizens about breaches or
infringements of EU law. Some of the most common issues of
complaint are the environment, social affairs, free movement,
recognition of qualification discrimination. Petitions can be sent
online, or in the form of a letter, setting out your complaint. Copies
of any supporting or background documents should also be
enclosed.
who examines complaints by EU citizens against EU institutions and
bodies. If you wish to complain to the European Ombudsman, you should write to him or
fill out the online complaint form, setting out clearly who you are, which EU
institution or body you are complaining against and the grounds for your complaint. A
complaint must be made within two years of the date when you got to know the facts on
which your complaint is based, and you must already have contacted the institution or
body concerned, for example by a letter. The European Ombudsman cannot deal with
complaints about national or local authorities, since such complaints fall within the
remit of the national Ombudsmen in EU member States.
is a Europe-wide service run by the European Commission to help citizens who encounter
obstacles in accessing the single market. Information and assistance in Ireland is
provided by the Solvit Unit in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
- A complaint about any infringement of Community law by a Member State may be lodged with the European Commission.
