To enable the possibility of a federal reality within the European Union, practical reforms and treaty amendments are not the only things required, but also a shift in the emotional connection of its citizens. Currently, only a small percentage of the European population strongly identifies as European. While this sentiment may be more prevalent in some northern states, it significantly declines in southern European countries. Strengthening the concept of EU citizenship could help address this disparity. Citizens across the EU must begin to see themselves as European, recognizing that they share more commonalities than differences.

The Concept of EU Citizenship

Before connecting EU citizenship with the concept of federalization, it is essential to first understand the nature of EU citizenship and how it was established. EU citizenship was formally introduced by the Treaty of Maastricht in 1992. According to Barnard, in The Substantive Law of the EU: The Four Freedoms, EU citizenship is built upon three pillars: rights, membership, and participation.

Concerning the first pillar, Article 20(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) stipulates that every person holding the nationality of a member state is granted EU citizenship and enjoys its associated rights. These rights encompass four main categories: political, economic, social, and cultural. Political rights pertain to the ability of EU citizens to influence political authorities through participation. Economic rights are primarily tied to the freedom of movement within the internal market for work purposes, safeguarded by Article 21(1) TFEU. Social rights, mainly concerning social protection, are largely the responsibility of national governments rather than the EU. Lastly, cultural rights relate to the interpersonal relationships among EU citizens.

The second pillar, membership, refers to identity and belonging, focusing on how an EU citizen develops a psychological connection to the European Union. Despite efforts by the EU to foster this sense of belonging—through symbols like the EU flag, anthem, and the celebration of Europe Day—strong national attachments continue to pose a significant barrier to the establishment of a deeper sense of EU membership. Finally, participation relates to the involvement of EU citizens in the democratic processes of the Union, as outlined in Article 10(3) TFEU. This participation occurs both directly, through elections to the European Parliament, and indirectly, through the election of national governments that represent their citizens within EU institutions.

EU Citizenship and EU Federalization

The Spinelli Group, a federalist cross-party alliance within the European Parliament, places great importance on the notion of European citizenship. In its manifesto, the Group advocates for the enhancement of EU citizenship, which it argues is currently underdeveloped. One of the proposals in the manifesto is to extend voting rights for EU citizens residing in other member states to include participation in national elections. The Spinelli Group views EU citizenship as an essential element for any constitutional reforms aimed at fostering a federal structure within the Union. EU citizenship is a fundamental component of all efforts toward federalist reforms within the EU. For EU citizens to feel secure and at home in every corner of the Union, it is essential for them to embrace a federalized system. Achieving this requires the expansion of all three pillars of EU citizenship: rights, membership, and participation.

Rights

To begin with rights, their general extension to EU citizens will foster a sense of unity. First, the EU could enhance political rights by allowing EU citizens residing in other member states to participate in national elections and referendums, thereby promoting greater influence and engagement in the political processes of their host countries. This issue will be analyzed in greater detail below regarding the extension of participation. Additionally, expanding economic rights could involve implementing a comprehensive framework for portable social security benefits, ensuring that citizens can access social protections across borders without bureaucratic hurdles. This scenario aligns with “The Protector of Citizens Model,” established by Claasen, Gerbrandy, Princen, and Segers in their article, Four Models of Protecting Citizenship and Social Rights in Europe: Conclusions to the Special Issue ‘Rethinking the European Social Market Economy.’ Moreover, the EU should promote social rights by establishing minimum standards for social protection that apply uniformly across all member states, creating a safety net that strengthens citizens’ sense of belonging. Finally, to bolster cultural rights, the EU could fund initiatives that encourage intercultural exchanges and promote multilingualism, allowing citizens to connect and share experiences more readily.

Membership

This relates to the increase in membership, as the measures the EU has taken to enhance the sense of membership have been more symbolic than practical. Fostering a sense of EU citizenship must begin at a young age. Integrating EU citizenship education and European history into national curricula would help young people perceive themselves as part of a broader European community, creating a new generation of citizens who strongly identify with Europe. Additionally, introducing English language learning from the first grade across all national education systems could reduce language barriers for future generations, enhancing cross-border communication and cooperation. Similarly, extending the Erasmus program to include bachelor’s and master’s degrees could significantly contribute to this goal. The Erasmus program should fully fund students’ costs when they travel to another EU country, ensuring that all students, regardless of their financial situation, have the opportunity to experience life in another EU member state and connect with its citizens.

Participation

Finally, expanding participation in EU politics could be achieved by granting EU citizens the ability to directly elect more EU officials. In addition to the Spinelli Group’s proposal, further reforms could be introduced in this direction. For instance, the selection of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs could be a starting point, with the position functioning as the Union’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. A direct election for this role could enhance its legitimacy and authority in decision-making. Following this, discussions could be initiated regarding the direct election of the President of the European Commission. Furthermore, a greater sense of participation could be fostered by increasing the authority of the European Parliament, the only EU institution directly elected by all European citizens. Currently, the European Parliament cannot pass legislation without the approval of the Council and the Commission. While many more ideas exist, these modest proposals could serve as a starting point for broader reforms.

In conclusion, EU citizenship is a fundamental pillar for the federalization of the European Union, necessitating a multifaceted approach to enhance its significance among citizens. As Barnard indicates, EU citizenship should not be confused with national identity, as the first should be a “non-static post-national membership”. Expanding political rights, such as enabling EU citizens to vote in national elections of their host countries and the ability to elect directly more EU officials, would foster a deeper sense of belonging and engagement in the political process. Additionally, establishing uniform social protection standards and promoting cultural exchanges can strengthen connections among diverse populations. By integrating EU citizenship education into national curricula and extending programs like Erasmus, the EU can nurture a generation that identifies strongly as European. Ultimately, these efforts will create a unified community that shares common values and aspirations, essential for realizing a federal Europe.