Citizenship

:For other uses, see citizen (disambiguation).

Supranational citizenship

In recent years, some intergovernmental organisations have extended the concept and terminology associated with citizenship to international level; where it is applied to the totality of the citizens of their constituent countries combined. Two examples are given below. As of 2005, citizenship at this level is a secondary concept, with a weaker status than national citizenship.

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European Union (EU) citizenship

The Maastricht Treaty introduced the concept of citizenship of the European Union. This citizenship flows from national citizenship — one holds the nationality of an EU member state and as a result becomes a "citizen of the Union" in addition.

Related Topics:
Maastricht Treaty - Citizenship of the European Union - EU member state

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EU citizenship offers certain rights and privileges within the EU; in many areas EU citizens have the same or similar rights as native citizens in member states. Such rights granted to EU citizens include:

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• the right of abode
• the right to vote and the right to stand in local and European elections
• the right to apply to work in any position (including national civil services with the exception of sensitive positions such as defence).

EU member states also use a common passport design, burgundy coloured with the name of the member state, national seal and the title "European Union" (or its translation).

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Union citizenship continues to gain in status and the European Court of Justice has stated that Union citizenship will be the "fundamental status of nationals of Member States" (see Case C-184/99 Rudy Grzelczyk v Centre Public d'Aide Sociale d'Ottignes-Louvain-la-Neuve, ECR I-6193, para 31). The European Commission has affirmed that Union citizenship should be the fundamental status of EU nationals however this is not accepted by many of the member states of the European Union.

Related Topics:
European Court of Justice - European Commission

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Commonwealth citizenship

The concept of "Commonwealth Citizenship" has been in place ever since the establishment of the Commonwealth of Nations. As with the EU, one holds Commonwealth citizenship only by being a citizen of a Commonwealth member state. This form of citizenship offers certain privileges within some Commonwealth countries:

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• Some such countries do not require tourist visas of citizens of other Commonwealth countries.
• In some Commonwealth countries resident citizens of other Commonwealth countries are entitled to political rights, e.g., the right to vote in local and national elections and in some cases even the right to stand for election.
• In some instances the right to work in any position (including the civil service) is granted, except for certain specific positions (e.g. defence, Governor-General or President, Prime Minister).

Whilst Commonwealth citizenship is sometimes enshrined in the written constitutions (where applicable) of Commonwealth states and is considered by some to be a form of dual citizenship, there have never been, nor are there any plans for a common passport.

Related Topics:
Constitution - Dual citizenship - Passport

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Although the Republic of Ireland left the Commonwealth in 1949, it is often treated as if it were a member, with references being made in legal documents to 'the Commonwealth and the Republic of Ireland', and its citizens are not classified as foreign nationals, particularly in the United Kingdom.

Related Topics:
Republic of Ireland - 1949 - United Kingdom

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