The European Commission service that allows citizens and businesses to ask questions about their EU rights has received its 100,000th enquiry. Also in 2011 YOUR EUROPE ADVICE replied to more than 15,000 enquiries. 8 out of 10 questions deal with social security issues, residence rights, work-related issues, migration and cars.

Commissioner Michel Barnier, responsible for the Internal Market announced that the YOUR EUROPE ADVICE Commission's service has received its 100,000th enquiry. According to the Commissioner the enquiry was very typical of the types of questions the service receives. Carmen G., a Spanish researcher currently undertaking a short-term fellowship in the Netherlands, wanted to know about the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and her right to access medical treatment and hospital care in the Netherlands. One of the 60 legal experts from the YOUR EUROPE ADVICE network, which is spread across all 27 EU Member States, replied to Carmen G. within 3 days by e-mail and explained her rights to her, giving her the name of the appropriate Dutch authorities for further help.

8 out of 10 questions raised to this Commission's service deal with social security issues, residence rights, work-related issues, migration and cars. In February 2011, a report published by the European Commission regarding the functioning of the services Your Europe Advice and SOLVIT showed that social security stand as the issues which European citizens and business were most concerned and have requested information about to both services. In addition, a huge amount of information covering all areas of EU rights is already available in all languages on the YOUR EUROPE website, and is complemented by the more personalised advice service provided by YOUR EUROPE ADVICE.

The European Commission offers YOUR EUROPE ADVICE service to allow citizens and businesses to ask questions about their EU rights. Enquiries can be submitted online or by telephone in any of the 23 official EU languages. YOUR EUROPE ADVICE guarantees a reply by e-mail or telephone in the language chosen within one week. This service is entirely free of charge for citizens and businesses.