During the first 3 months of your stay, your host country cannot require you to register your residence. However, you can do so if you wish. You will be asked to present the following documents:

• proof of enrolment at an approved educational establishment
• proof of comprehensive health insurance
• declaration that you have sufficient resources to support yourself during your stay abroad

As a jobseeker, you don't need to register as a resident for the first 6 months. However, some EU countries may require you to report your presence to the relevant authorities, usually a town hall or a police station, within a reasonable period after arrival. All you need to report your presence as EU national is your identity card or passport, no other documents should be required.

The national authorities may want to assess your right to stay if you haven’t managed to find a job within the first 6 months of your stay. They may ask you to prove that you are actively looking for a job and have a good chance of finding one. Therefore, it is always advisable to keep any documents that can serve as a proof, e.g. copies of your job applications, responses from potential employers, invitations for interviews. You may also be required to register as a job seeker at the unemployment services of the host country.

Yes, you can continue receiving your unemployment benefit for at least 3 months from the EU country where you were last working - and up to a maximum of 6 months, depending on the country paying your benefits. Please remember that you need to be registered as unemployed jobseeker with the employment services in your home country for at least 4 weeks. Before you leave, remember to request a U2 form from the unemployment services in your country. This document is an authorisation to export your unemployment benefits. Upon arrival in your host country, please follow these steps:

• register as a jobseeker with the employment services in your host country within 7 days from the date on which you ceased to be available to the employment services in the country you left
• submit your U2 form when you register

Be aware that employment services in your host country can undertake checks on the progress of your job search as if you were receiving unemployment benefits from them. Remember to inform yourself on your rights and duties as a job seeker in the host country.

As a student, you have the right to live in an EU country where you are studying for the duration of your studies if you:

• are enrolled in an approved educational establishment
• have sufficient financial resources
• have comprehensive health insurance cover there.

Member States have, however, no right to fix amount of resources that they consider “sufficient”.They should consider your personal situation. However, you satisfy this condition if the resources you possess are higher than the threshold below which the nationals of the host country become eligible for social assistance, or higher than the minimum social security pension paid by that country. For students it is usually enough to make a simple declaration stating that you have sufficient resources not to become a burden on the host social assistance scheme.

Yes, EU citizens have the right to be accompanied or joined there by their family members, even if they are not EU citizens.

If you are in a same-sex marriage and you move to another EU country, your host country must recognise yours and your non-EU spouse’s residence rights. This rule applies even if same-sex marriages are not recognised in the host country.

No, if he/she wants to join you in your country of origin and you haven't lived together in another EU country before, only national rules will apply to your situation.

Yes, as economically inactive EU citizens, you need to prove that you have comprehensive health insurance cover in your host country, and you possess sufficient resources to live there without needing income support.

No. After 5 years’ continuous legal residence, you automatically have the right to permanent residence. Your host country can verify the continuity of your residence, but it should not ask you for a proof of employment or sufficient resources.

No, the continuity of your residence in your host country is not affected by temporary absences not exceeding a total of 6 months per year. Longer absences of up to one year do not affect the continuity of your residence if they are justified by compulsory military service or for important reasons such as pregnancy and childbirth, serious illness, work, vocational training or a posting to another country.

If family members do not live in the same Member State, they could be entitled to family benefits from different countries. In principle, the primary country responsible for providing the benefits is the country where your family's right is based on work. As you are the only family member working, it would be therefore your host country to be responsible for the payment of family benefits.

If family members do not live in the same Member State, they could be entitled to family benefits from different countries. In principle, the primary country responsible for providing the benefits is the country where your family's right is based on work. If both parents work, as it is in your case, then the country where your children live is responsible for the payment of the benefits. In your case, it should be therefore your home country to pay. If the benefits in your home country are lower than in your host country, then the difference should be paid by the secondary country (host country in your case) to make sure you receive maximum amount to which you are entitled.

You cannot recuperate the contributions paid, but you will not lose them. Once you reach the retirement age, you will get a separate pension from each EU country where you have worked or contributed.

In each Member State there is a social security institution responsible for keeping track of your records and contributions. Once you reach the retirement age, you should make the pension claim in the country of your residence, while the competent institution will liaise with the institutions in the other countries where you worked and establish a portable document ‘P1’, which will give you an overview of the decisions made by each country on your pension claim.

Yes, the pension from your home country will be paid to you regardless of the place of your residence without any reduction, modification or suspension.

No, in the EU, you always have the right to a 2-year guarantee free of charge. The shop or the retailer can offer a longer period of guarantee, but it can never be shorter than 2 years.

Under the EU rules your right to guarantee expired after two years. However, it is always worth to contact the seller or check the national rules, as some shops and/or countries can offer longer legal guarantees.

The retailer should give you the choice between having the product repaired or replaced. Only in case both solutions are not feasible (e.g. it would be too costly too repair, the product is not available anymore on the market, etc.), then you can ask to be refunded.

You can contact a European Consumer Centre in your country. They will tell you what your consumer rights are and advise you on how to proceed with the problematic seller. The list of the European Consumer Centres is available here. 

No, EU citizens can choose whether to vote in their home or in their host country. If you decide to vote in your host country, you will have to register on the electoral roll. Please check the deadlines for the registration procedures, as they tend to close well in advance of the elections.

Yes, you can choose whether to vote for candidates in your host country (by registering on the roll in your host municipality) or home country (in this case you should check if you are still registered to vote in your home country or if you need to re-register). Different EU countries provide different options for their citizens living abroad: postal voting, voting from an embassy or a consulate.

Yes, any EU citizen who is not a national of the EU country in which they live has the right to vote and to stand as a candidate in municipal elections in that country under the same conditions as the nationals of that country. In order to participate, you will have to apply to be put on the electoral roll, as registration is automatic only in 13 EU countries, e.g. Germany, Lithuania, Latvia, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary (see link - access on 17 Dec. 19)

If voting in local elections is compulsory in your host country and, following registration, you were included on the electoral roll of that country, you will have to vote. Voting is compulsory in Belgium, Cyprus, Greece, and Luxembourg.

Please bear in mind: Obligation to vote may discourage many mobile EU citizens from registering for the local elections. However, in some countries, e.g. Belgium, if you are not able to vote, you can designate a proxy, who will vote on your behalf.

He is rights if you are currently living in Luxembourg. Special rules can apply in those EU countries, where non-nationals make up more than 20 % of the total electorate. In such cases, the host country can require an additional period of residence before allowing you to participate in municipal elections. Today the only such country is Luxembourg, which requires mobile EU citizens to be resident for more than 5 years before giving them the right to vote.

You will receive most up to date information on deadlines if you contact your local municipality. The European Commission has also a dedicated website on voting in local elections, where you can select your country of residence to know more about the procedures. The website is available here.

Any EU citizen who is not a national of the EU country in which they live has the right to vote and to stand as a candidate in municipal elections in that country under the same conditions as the nationals of that country. However, some Member State allow only their nationals to become mayors. This is the case for Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovenia.

There are no EU rules on your rights to participate in your home country's elections if you live abroad. Each country is free to decide whether and how you can vote from abroad. You should contact an your country’s embassy or a consulate in your country of residence to get more information on your rights.

If you have a question regarding your EU rights or the rights of your family members, you can contact Your Europe Advice. It is a free advice service consisting of a team of legal experts who can provide advice in all official EU languages. You can submit your question by clicking on the following link. 

If the authorities are failing to comply with their obligations under EU law, SOLVIT might be able to assist. SOLVIT can help if you are facing difficulties with residence rights, getting professional qualifications recognised, obtaining health insurance and so on. You can use SOLVIT for free, and their website can be found here.

You can contact the Europe Direct Contact Centre which answers any question from the public about the European Union, via phone or email, free of charge. You can contact Europe Direct anywhere in the EU, for free at 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 or submit your question online.

You can contact the European Commission about any measure (law, regulation or administrative action) or practice of your country that you believe is against Union law. To submit a complaint, please follow the steps on this website.

You can submit a complaint to the European Ombudsman. It is an independent and impartial body that holds the EU’s institutions and agencies to account and promotes good administration. To make a complaint, please follow this link.

• Project APProach run by Etterbeek municipality aimed at improving social and political inclusion of mobile EU citizens at local level. It provides information on voting system, school enrolment, civic engagement and social life:  https://etterbeek.project-approach.eu/
• Centres for adult and continuous learning offering cheap French and Dutch language courses (other languages are also available):
  • https://www.gltt.be/en/courses/language-courses
  • https://www.cvosemper.be/en/languages/french
  • https://www.huisnederlandsbrussel.be/en/learn-practise/praktisch
  • https://www.epfc.eu/
• Expat Info Dask offering a personalised administrative assistance service to all those who come to work in Brussels in or around the European and international institutions: http://www.commissioner.brussels/i-am-an-expat
• Europe Direct Brussels is an information and documentation center on the European Union allowing direct contact between the European Union and the citizens of the Brussels-Capital Region: https://visit.brussels/fr/sites/europedirect/#

• Europe Direct Bulgaria is an information and documentation center on the European Union allowing direct contact between the European Union and the citizens of all Bulgarian Regions: https://ec.europa.eu/bulgaria/services/contact-points_bg
• Ministry of Interior - Migration Directorate in charge of issuing documents: Long-Term and Permanent Residence in Bulgaria for EU Citizens and Their Family Members. Long-Term Residence Permit provide support and information via their INFORMATION CENTRE. INFORMATION ABOUT FOREIGNERS AND EU CITIZENS: https://www.mvr.bg/migration/Citizens-of-EU
• Regional information centres on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria provide a variety of information, services and support to the citizens of the country as well as to the temporary residents of the respective territory. INFORMATION CENTRE http://archive.eufunds.bg/bg/page/784

• Centres for adult and continuous learning offering free Italian language courses:
  • The Provincial Centers of Adult Education (CPIA) - Centri Provinciali di Istruzione per gli Adulti. They offer free literacy and learning courses of the Italian language, which are part of the Adult Education system and also include elements concerning active citizenship. The list of CPIAs can be consulted at: https://cercalatuascuola.istruzione.it/cercalatuascuola/
  • Italiano.rai.it - the portal of the Italian language created by the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR) and Rai Educational to help foreigners learn Italian as a second language (L2), as well as to understand the various aspects of civil life and to get closer to the principles of the Constitution:  http://www.italiano.rai.it/livello/livello-a1/487/default.aspx
• “MyEU. Portal for young people on the move to promote active citizenship in the European Union". The Portal provides information to young people (18-35 years old) who live, study, work abroad or intend to do so:

• The Ministry of Citizen protection: provides information about the residence requirements that apply for the EU mobile citizens and their families. More information can be found on: http://www.immigration.gov.gr/web/guest/immigration .
• Citizen Service Centres (KEP): They are one-stop-shops for several administrative formalities and citizens can be informed about all issues of Public Administration. More information available at Ermis.Gov which has a list of local Citizen Service Centres (KEP): http://www.ermis.gov.gr/portal/page/portal/ermis/KepIndex.
• Lifelong Learning Centres at Municipalities of the regions of Central Greece and South Aegean: Lifelong Learning Centres (Κ.Δ.Β.Μ.) can be established and function at Municipalities of the regions of Central Greece and South Aegean upon request, in which educational programmes of General Adult Education, as well as activities at National and Local Level will be implemented. More information: https://www.inedivim.gr/en/programmes-actions/lifelong-learning-centres-municipalities-regions-central-greece-and-south-aegean .
• Citizens Helpline: There is also a Citizens Helpline, which can provide information on all the documents required for the procedures above, as well as information on the municipal parking system, parking permits, local elections and anything related to services provided by the City of Athens. (Tel: 1595 (Monday to Sunday from 07:00-23:00) More details on the Citizens Helpline can be found on the City of Athens website, https://www.cityofathens.gr/en/serving-citizens/citizens-helpline. The City of Athens regularly runs Greek-language learning programmes for adult migrants, as knowledge of the language is a basic need as evidenced in contacts with migrant community representatives. (https://www.cityofathens.gr/en/educational-programmes-0)
• Gefyres means Bridges and it is the name of the group of volunteers teaching greek as a foreign language for free to adults, refugees and migrants. Detailed information are  available at: https://www.accmr.gr/en/services/service/1360.html. Lessons of greek history and culture are also provided.
• EDIC (Europe Direct Information Centre):  Europe Direct Information Centres are information and documentation centres on the European Union allowing direct contact between the European Union and the citizens of Greece. The following EDICs operate in Greece:
  • Europe Direct ELIAMEP (upon appointment) - Address: 49, Vas. Sofias Ave. 10676 Athens Greece, Email: europe.direct@eliamep.gr, Tel: +30 210 7257110, Website: https://www.europedirectELIAMEP.gr
  • Europe Direct Lamia (upon appointment) - Address:Fleming & Erithrou Stavrou street 35131 Lamia Greece, Email: ipelamia@otenet.gr, Tel: +30 2231 351500, Website: http://www.europedirectlamias.eu/
  • Europe Direct North Aegean (upon appointment) - Address: University hill 81100 Mitilini Greece, Email: europedirect@soc.aegean.gr, Tel: +30 22510 36521-2, Website: http://www.europedirect-northaegean.gr/
  • Europe Direct University of Piraeus (upon appointment) - Address: 126 Grigoriou Labraki street 18532 Piraeus Greece, Email: devlabunipi@gmail.com , Tel: +30 210 4142490, Website: http://europedirect.unipi.gr/
  • Europe Direct Nafplio (upon appointment) - Address: 34 Vas. Konstantinou Av. 21100 Nafplio Greece, Email: andronikitz@gmail.com , Tel:+30 6977307864, Website: https://europedirectnafplio.gr/
  • Europe Direct Western Macedonia (upon appointment) - Address:7is Noemvriou str, No 9 53100 Florina Greece, Email: info@europedirect-oenef.eu, Tel:+30 23851014 46, Website: https://www.europedirect-oenef.eu/
  • Europe Direct Community Enterprise of Thessaloniki Municipality (upon appointment) - Address: 1 Vas Georgiou A av Building E 54640 Thessaloniki Greece, Email: europe-direct@kedith.gr, Tel: +30 2313 317353
  • Europe Direct Central Macedonia (upon appointment) - Address: 54 Marinou Antypa street 57001 Thessaloniki Greece, Email: europedirect@afs.edu.gr, Tel: +30 2310 492853, Website: https://www.afs.edu.gr/%CE%B3%CF%81%CE%B1%CF%86%CE%B5%CE%AF%CE%BF-%CE%B5%CF%85%CF%81%CF%89%CF%80%CE%B1%CF%8A%CE%BA%CE%AE%CF%82-%CF%80%CE%BB%CE%B7%CF%81%CE%BF%CF%86%CF%8C%CF%81%CE%B7%CF%83%CE%B7%CF%82-europe-direct/
  • Europe Direct Crete (upon appointment) - Address: Region of Crete Eleftherias square 1 71201 Heraklion/Crete Greece, Email: europedirect@crete.gov.gr Tel: +30 2813 336330, Website: https://www.europedirect-crete.gr/
  • Europe Direct Komotini (upon appointment) - Address: 15 N. Tsanakli street 69132 Komotini Greece, Email: info@europedirectkomotini.eu, Tel: + 302531082051-55, Website: http://europedirectkomotini.eu/
  • Europe Direct City of Athens (upon appointment) - Address: Serafeio, Peiraios & Petrou Ralli 11854 Athens Greece, Email: europedirect@athens.gr, Tel: +30 210 3450393, Website: http://europedirect-cityofathens.gr/
  • Europe Direct Dodecanese (upon appointment) - Αddress: 72 28th October street 85131 Rhodes Greece, Email: europedirect@ando.gr, Tel: +30 22410 75323, Website: http://www.ando.gr/europedirect/home
  • Europe Direct Xanthi (upon appointment) - Address: 12 Vas. Sofias 67100 Xanthi Greece, Email: europedirect@duth.gr, Tel: +30 2541 079115
  • Europe Direct Region of Thessaly (upon appointment) - Address: Papanastasiou & Koumoudourou 41110 Larissa Greece, Email: europedirect@thessaly.gov.gr,  Tel: +30 2413 506315
  • Europe Direct Patra (upon appointment) - Address: 32, N.E.O PATRON - ATHINON & Amerikis Street 26441 Patra Greece, Email: info@edic.pde.gov.gr, Tel:  +30 2613 613645-646, Website: http://europedirect.pde.gov.gr/gr/
  •  Europe Direct Xalkidiki - Address: KASSANDRIA-SIVIRIs, 63077, KASSANDRIA, Chalkidiki, Email: eu.direct_halkidiki@business-mentality.com, Tel: +30 2311 221517, Website: http://www.europedirect-halkidiki.eu/
  • Europe Direct Nafplio - Address: 20 Siggrou street 21100 Nafplio, Email: europedirect@ptapel.gr, Tel: +30 27523 62141, Website: http://www.europedirectnafplio.gr
• Some interesting information are also available under the following hyperlink: http://livingingreece.gr/2007/05/13/free-greek-language-lessons/

• Ministry of Interior – the Ministry of Interior offers information about the conditions for the exercise of the rights of entry and exit, free movement, stay, residence, permanent residence and work in Spain by citizens of other Member States of the European Union: http://www.interior.gob.es/web/servicios-al-ciudadano/extranjeria/ciudadanos-de-la-union-europea
• Ministry of Work, Migration and Social Security – Through the Foreigners’ Portal, the Ministry provides information about the administrative procedures to study, live and work in Spain for European mobile citizens. The Portal also provides application form, information sheets, the location of the Foreigner’s Office and other useful information:  http://extranjeros.mitramiss.gob.es/es/informacioninteres/informacionprocedimientos/ciudadanoscomunitarios/index.html
• Directorate-General of the Police. The Police also offers information about administrative procedures and the requirements for short-term and long-term residence in Spain for citizens of the European Union:   https://www.policia.es/documentacion/comunitarios/est_resid.html
• Europe Direct Spain is an information and documentation center on the European Union allowing direct contact between the European Union and the citizens of Spain, there are several offices throughout the Spanish territory: https://ec.europa.eu/spain/services/contact-points_es