The European citizens that living and working in another Member State other than their own, around 8 million people of voting age, are still facing obstacles to vote or stand as a candidate in local elections in the EU country in which they live. In addition, only around 10% currently take advantage of this right.

The European Commission has published a report which shows the obstacles that EU citizens faces when trying to exercise their right to vote or stand as a candidate in local elections in the EU country in which they live. In particular, the report points out that while most countries have implemented the relevant EU rules (Directive 94/80/EC) in a satisfactory way, some obstacles remain. Moreover, some citizens may not be aware of their rights and procedures may sometimes prove too cumbersome.

Additionally, the report shows that the numbers of Europeans living elsewhere in the EU has grown, the report finds that an average of only 10% of EU citizens has exercised their right to vote. For this reason, the Commission will continue to monitor the correct implementation of the Directive and will help Member States adopt all the necessary measures to ensure that citizens benefit from the full exercise of their electoral rights. The Commission will also promote best practices in encouraging non-national EU citizens to take part in institutional and political life at a local level.

On the other hand, in the light of the report results, the Commission will therefore work with national, regional and local authorities to identify and resolve any remaining difficulties in effectively applying this right. Furthermore, the proposal for a European Year for Citizens in 2013 provides a good opportunity to make EU citizens' rights better known, according to the Commission.