Frontiers, nations, citizenships, have been all changing across the whole continent for centuries. What we call now citizen, humbly, thats the key of healthy and reasoneable politics, the time to reach a sure wealthfare state and the righteus moment to face the decreasing of birth, are both affordable for the first time in history too. It�s not a problem of different perspectives between social-democracy and liberal ideology, it a question, for the first time of honesty of rulers. (Muchas Gracias!)

What nonsense, Alex…

I believe it is ok to sell citizenships, as long as 30 to 50 % of the money go for helping refugees and other immigrant social problems and crises around the Union. Because if we let someone to live in our countries, only because he is rich and do not let people which are poor, this is discrimination. So if someone pay for citizenship, with those money, we should help people, who does not have the same chance.

In a nutshell, EU citizenship, in my opinion, means belonging to a broader entity that fosters good relations between member States, promotes national/local culture (not ‘European culture’, it doesn’t exist), and lays the foundation (and JUST the foundation) for economic and social development. I would like to see all of this happen in a spirit of respect towards the individuality and uniqueness of the EU’s States and cultures, and in service – as much as possible – to their national interests until time and true popular will (Renan) naturally lead Europeans to want to deepen integration. I feel integration has been extensively forced upon Europeans since Maastricht perhaps too much for economic purposes, which explains the current dissent and Eurosceptism. One piece of advice: Give Europe time. For the time being, a great majority of Europeans do not actually want to be assimilated into a giant ‘European culture’, such a thing is still an elite concept of integration and it must stop, take full consideration of Europe’s true history, and respect the natural course of generational adaptation. Until then, I fully welcome the EU as an entity from which I have personally benefited and can only hope will succeed in adopting a more moderate stance and heal its democratic deficit (it’s about time we realize that multiple levels of governance do nothing more than confuse and irritate people, and the majority of my acquaintances understand nothing of the EU and thus perceive it as a threat. On my part, I believe I understand the EU only because I have a Master’s degree in European studies, otherwise I would be as lost as the rest. Good luck EU!

In a nutshell, EU citizenship, in my opinion, means belonging to a broader entity that fosters good relations between member States, promotes national/local culture (not ‘European culture’, it doesn’t exist), and lays the foundation (and JUST the foundation) for economic and social development. I would like to see all of this happen in a spirit of respect towards the individuality and uniqueness of the EU’s States and cultures, and in service – as much as possible – to their national interests until time and true popular will (Renan) naturally lead Europeans to want to deepen integration. I feel integration has been extensively forced upon Europeans since Maastricht, perhaps motivated more than it should have by economic development, which explains current distrust and rising levels of Eurosceptism, all the more so that decisions are being made that conflict with local transitions, be they political, cultural, etc. The example of selling EU citizenship in Malta is appalling in that sense! It means that States would have much less say in who can enter their territory, a huge blow to national sovereignty that cannot be thrown to the wind in the space of a generation – no offense to the EU.

A piece of humble advice to the EU: Give Europe time. For the time being, a great majority of Europeans do not want to be assimilated into a giant ‘European culture or State’, such a thing is still an elite concept of integration, goes against the TRUE culture of Europe (we enriched our cultures based on differentiation), and it must stop, take full consideration of Europe’s true history, and respect the natural course of generational adaptation. Until then, I fully welcome the EU as an entity from which I have personally benefited and can only hope will succeed in adopting a more moderate stance, and heal its democratic deficit (it’s about time we realize that multiple levels of governance do nothing more than confuse and irritate people, and the majority of my acquaintances understand nothing of the EU and thus perceive it as a threat. On my part, I believe I understand the EU well enough only because I have a Master’s degree in European studies, otherwise I would be as lost as the rest. Good luck EU!

More friend’s , music ,sport , business, love,…from K O S O V A !

A lot… I do feel I’am European by history, by blood , by choice.

This question is not exactly the right question. What is a European nation in the EU. The way forward for the EU is by reducing the importance of nationalistic point of view, by making people and first the press understand that heads of state, and notably of Germany, England and France, are not together the head of Europe. Europe has a parliament of its own. Nations are important, don’t get me wrong, but they have been built by history, and today, history builds Europe, as a nation. It will take time but I am looking forward to owning my first european passport without mention of a specific european country on it.

We are, in European, citizen of different democracies. Our national identity is built around cultures but united by our diverse democratic systems. Representing a culture is the trait of a personal and regional identity. Understanding the political systems, that of nations and that of the EU, and participating to it with our votes, is the key to national and european identities.

Today, I feel that people forgot or do not really understand what unites them. It is not their language, it is not their culture, it is not their food, it is not their mentality, IT IS that they participate to a democracy, their join a system (of education, of defense, of taxes, of infrastructure,..), they acknowledge a number of rules and laws that makes their life better or at least aims at making it better.

So, to conclude, I think that the EU should really put an effort on educating the european citizen on how the EU really works, what the EU really do for them in practice, how the EU helps their own government to be more flexible, how the EU promotes peace for them within the EU and without.
And that the national head of state should recognize the EU as an beneficial overruling democratic authority and should stop fighting about which country actually leads europe, as their is none and will never be (hopefully WWII won’t repeat itself)

I wasn’t asked if I wanted it and I reject it .
I am a citizen of the United Kingdoms of Great Britain and N Ireland

As far as anyone selling passports is concerned ,, If the EU allow this then we have to stop freedom of movement . How is it fair that for example Malta sells citizenship to someone who then goes and lives in another country ? Maybe we would just be better off out of it all together ..

“What does EU citizenship mean to YOU?”
Not much anymore, because the EU has turned out to be mainly a programme for minorities and foreigners for whom the majority is obviously supposed to provide the resources and otherwise remain silent.

I think that, firstly, we should draw a clear line between what’s the citizenship and one’s national identity, as these are extremely different and it’s a common mistake to join both in the same bag, which obviouslty leads to misconceptions, specially concerning emigration issues.
Not that I agree that citizenship can be sold, given its non economic value compound. However, in extraordinary cases, as such as the ones earlier referred (refugees or the non establishment of prices, but instead the commitment to invest in the country), I believe we can reach an agreement. Plus, we have to check out our economic interests. I mean, it’s not a new for anyone the ageing problems regarding Europe population and how, in the futur, it can asfixiates our economy. Hence, adopting this approach, a limited and regulated immigration stimulus can reveals itself a benefit in the long term.
When regarding the so called european identity, we have to understand that the self identification with one’s group is complex, putting on evidence multi levels of inclusion, such as local, national, continental and, to some extent, even global. In fact, I can recognise in myself (I’m portuguese) those diverse social constructions, the first derived from experience and language, the former genetically originated by the globalization. When talking about european identity, it’s a much more troubled phenomena that requires eminently historical concepts, such as the Renaissance, Iluminism, Christianty and, ultimately, Industrial Revolution. Our coexistence, even tough in a warfare chart, trough centuries made us understand that we do not live alone, impulsionated by power balances between states or scientific cooperation.
The truth is: in Europe, the major part of population knows how to keep track on a foreign language conversation. Almost everyone knows how to speak English (specially the younger generation) and French/Spanish/Deutsch. Almost all of my friends have travelled to Spain, France, Italy. We all have friends from a foreigner UE member and I know a considerable portion of people who went to study abroad. And don’t even put me speaking about festivals, Erasmus, interrails, etc, etc. That is even documented: later, there is a considerable emergence of social sciences researchs studying the nowadays approach between european citizens, who speak english or french between them, live in major capital cities and is pretty liberal regarding almost everything (such as religion, sexual orientation or race). Summed up, united in diversity: that’s our main identity.
I can fully understand the older generation when referring to Spaniards as those stupid neighbours or to Frenchmen as arrogant and cocky. But one thing I’m pretty sure: the Euro, the english learning and the UE has changed a lot in the psychopolitics of our generation. At least mine has changed. And from what I’ve seen of many of my acquaitances it’s the same.

Eu citizenship means nothing to me. As we speak I find that this whole citizenship is a waste of time. As we are supposed to be an union, yet we are far from it. Want me to feel European? Then start doing something for the people living in Europe, next to asking money from them.

As far as selling citizenship or passports for assuming membership or naturalisation as a European, are you crazy? Malta should be deported. How can it even be contemplated that we are so cheap as a people and a continent that our essence can be sold to make, what was it, 30m Euro for that small in size and mind country called Malta. So little and so insulting to every one of us, on every level.

How could anyone born after this be able to commit themselves to the oneness we are as a people, if we can be bought, like prostitutes, on a street corner. The insult could only be leveled by those who despise Europe as a union of common minds and culture.

I don’t know if it’s just some ilusion or utopic way of thinking by me, but I find that is in the difference criticized by you that lies the core of the european identity. After all, “united in diversity”, right? Not that I want to erase borders and depreciate nationalities. I just think that there’s a hugh difference between one’s nationality (as mine is Portuguese) and one’s citizenship (as mines is both Portuguese and European). In fact, a multi level world w/ multiple kinds of citizenship seems a very foreseeable future in the long term.
Plus, maybe it’s a generation issue. I was born in 1995, a time when most of you already were grown up. For me, the euro was, in practic, the only currency I’ve ever used. Getting in conversations in foreign languages is not that rare. Almost all of my friends speaks at least english and another european language. With Erasmus, interrail and Ryanair strechting trough Europe became easier than ever (I mean, I take less time to travel to London than to go to Algarve, got it?). What I’m trying to say is that this desired cosmopolite and multicultural is already emerging, being documented in social sciences reports, describing groups of people originary from all over Europe, who lived in major cities, and speak between them often in a foreign language. The original Euro dream is not so long of being achieved, altough it might have been slowed down with the euro crisis turning everyone against everyone and, ultimately, Brussels.
Don’t deny an european identity when that’s precisely the most quoted argument so Turkey doesn’t get in. And that’s when we need to do some research history to see that, maybe after all, our people are not that different and this supranational identity is well rooted long ago. Both Renaissance and Christianty are undeniable marks of what Europe and, pushing from here, it’s a load of stuff.
I speak for me. I’m an European.

Being a European citizen means that you are affected by decisions taken on EU level and also at the same time that you as citizen have the right to influence the politics of Europe. Even if Europe is culturally diversified it is still possible to share same ideas and values even if they are implemented differently due the circumstances on the national or local level. As a liberal I feel connected to other liberals in Europe by the ideology and wish that more decisions on European level can be provided through ideological argumentation that is universal and applicable in all parts of Europe.

Regarding the question about “what do we have in common in the EU” I consider that there are many answers. Ideologies such as liberalism, conservatism, socialism, environmentalism but also ideas such as nationalism, fascism and communism. Also there are aspects as parliamentism, welfare states, democracy, cultural influences such as food, music, art etc. Finally we should not forget that nations, nationalism and nation-states are still young social constructions with roots in American and French revolutions at the same time the we are living in time of globalization. That is why I believe it is important to have a political identity above the national level. And as European citizen you are free to choose how you would like to form your European identity.

means nothing to me

we took polaroid photos of EU (and world citizens) asking this very question… have a look at what they say: http://www.polaroidproject.eu (also on twitter: @polaroidised)

The Word “citizeship” is misundestood. Ideas and feelings. way of life and history, family and point of view etc can not be sold. But what about the EU citizenship ? The definition in thiw case is not clear. EU urgently needs a European Identidy…..

Correction added: A significant number of UK Citizens are being excluded from being part of the new globalised nation under the EU Umbrella that came into effect after they were born in and brought up in their country of birth.

If I take the USA as an example then I can say that until 1868 there was no such thing as U.S. citizen. This idea was introduced by the 14th amendment. Still there are major differences between the states and how people think.

Like Eastern European people are often disliked in Western European countries, an equal attitude exists between for example the Texans and ‘Yankees’. Even though they are all U.S. Citizens, people somehow tend to feel a part of what’s most close to them.

For me, my Dutch passport is as European as someone from Bulgaria and I don’t see the use of a European nationality.

People will start seeing the benefits of the EU, once the EU will start to function as it should and without wasting money on regular moving of offices between Brussels, Luxembourg and Strassbourg. We don’t need some European nationality for that.

Ok then Martin..if we are all to be part of a super EU state then is it asking too much for Democratic Accountability?

What does EU citizenship mean to me? Nothing! I hate being forced to be a citizen of a superstate controlled by the un-elected people like Donald Tusk, Jean-Claude Junkers and Martin Schulz. I would like to renounce my EU citizenship.