Glossary

The EU’s founding rights document, binding on EU institutions and on member states when they implement EU law. Article 21 prohibits discrimination on grounds including sexual orientation.

Automatically held by anyone who is a citizen of an EU member state, on top of — not instead of — their national citizenship. Comes with rights such as free movement and electoral participation.

Government ministers from each member state, meeting by policy area, who negotiate and adopt EU legislation together with the European Parliament. Not to be confused with the European Council.

An EU law that sets a required outcome but leaves each member state to write its own national legislation to achieve it, on its own timeline — unlike a Regulation.

The EU institution that proposes new legislation and enforces laws already in force. Its members are nominated by member states and approved by the European Parliament.

The EU’s directly elected institution. Debates and votes on legislation alongside the Council, and scrutinises the Commission.

The right of EU citizens to live, work and study in any member state, generally without a visa or work permit.

An independent office that investigates complaints about maladministration by EU institutions — unreasonable delay, refusal of information, unfairness.

The main voting method in the Council of the EU, requiring both a majority of member states and a minimum share of the EU’s total population to agree.

An EU law that applies automatically and identically in every member state, with no national implementing legislation required — unlike a Directive.