The EU in your daily life
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What does living in the EU mean for you?
The decisions taken at EU level have an influence on your everyday activities, great and small, wherever you are in the EU and often without you noticing it.
Such decisions and laws, applicable in all EU countries, are the result of negotiations between the representatives of your country and the 26 other member countries both within the Council of the European Union and with the members of the European Parliament you elected.
So what does this mean for you? Take a look below.
... when you drink
water and eat
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Food anywhere in the EU must meet very strict safety requirements - in fact among the strictest worldwide.
This ensures you have access to safe, high-quality and traceable food everywhere in the EU as well as clear labelling of the origin and composition of the products you buy.
To make sure you are protected in any EU country, national food safety authorities exchange information when they spot a potential risky food product.
You have access to high food
and drinking water standards
Like with food, as someone living in the EU, you can enjoy the highest standards in the world for drinking water.
Thanks to over 30 years of EU policy in the field, you have access to high-quality and safe drinking water when you:
- drink tap water
- shower
- wash your clothes
The latest revision of the water quality rules is a direct result of a European citizens' initiative, which allows you and any citizen to have your say in policies that affect your everyday life.
... when you shop
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When you buy goods or services, be it online or in a shop, you can benefit from clear rules that protect you as a consumer.
EU consumer protection rules guarantee everyone the right to be treated fairly, as well as the right to correct and transparent information about your purchases. For example the charges and fees must be clearly indicated when booking an airline ticket.
Also, there is a minimum two-year guarantee for all goods. This means that if goods you have purchased turn out to be faulty or are not as advertised, the trader must repair or replace them, decrease the price or offer you a full refund.
Your goods are guaranteed
for 2 years
When you buy a product or service online or outside of a shop, you also have the right to cancel and return the order within 14 days, without needing any justification.
And whatever you buy should comply with general safety rules.
Your goods are safe
The CE marking certifies that goods are safe, for instance when you buy a toy for a child.
This EU standard guarantees that chemicals that could cause cancer or heavy elements like mercury are not allowed in the accessible parts of toys beyond strict limits.
... when you surf online
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You are protected by the strongest privacy and security law in the world when you are on the web.
Thanks to the general data protection regulation (GDPR), you have more control over your personal data online. You have the right to access, change or erase your data.
Your privacy is respected
Similarly, the artificial intelligence act, which is the first-ever law to regulate artificial intelligence, will ensure that the AI solutions used in the European Union are ethical and respect your privacy. This means, for instance, that a machine will not decide on whether you can get a loan or not based on automatically processed data.
In addition, under EU law, advertisers are forbidden from targeting you on the basis of your sensitive personal data (gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, or political beliefs).
You can report illegal content
This new set of rules also aims to keep you safe from illegal goods, content or services online. You can for instance, notify online platforms about illegal products or flag hate speech.
The rules apply to any online business operating in the EU – no matter where they are based.
... when you go outdoors
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Many animals and birds around you are protected by law. And so are their habitats.
Measures agreed at EU level help to safeguard nature and its biodiversity.
18% of the EU’s land territory is protected by the Natura 2000 network with the aim of safeguarding threatened species and natural areas. Conservation measures are funded to sustain the populations of species such as the Iberian lynx and the loggerhead sea turtle.
Nature around you is protected
Healthy wildlife and habitats are important to you in many ways:
- pollinators help produce our food
- trees provide us with clean air
- a healthy environment can help your mental well-being
You are breathing better air
EU countries also have strict measures in place to ensure that the air you breathe meets high standards.
This means that the quantity of air pollutants you are exposed to, such as fine particulate matter or ozone, must stay within very tight limits. Concretely, since 1990, there has been a 70% decrease in emissions of the top 6 air pollutants.
... when you get sick or injured
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Have you or someone around you had an accident or a medical emergency? Wherever you are in the EU, you can call 112 free of charge from any fixed or mobile phone to call for an ambulance and emergency assistance.
You can call 112 anywhere
in the EU
If you fall ill or have an accident during a temporary stay abroad, you are entitled to the same medical treatment as people insured in the country you are in. Your European health insurance card is the proof that you are insured in an EU country.
And if you are prescribed any medicine or vaccine, you can rest easy: the EU regulates the authorisation of medicines at EU level via the European Medicines Agency or at national level via the competent authorities in EU countries. Once on the market, the safety of a medicinal product continues to be monitored throughout its entire lifespan.
... when you want to learn or work abroad
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For over 35 years, the Erasmus+ programme has offered over 12 millions of participants opportunities to broaden their horizons by helping them develop and share knowledge in different countries.
You can participate in
the Erasmus+ programme
In recent years, the programme has been strengthened and has become more inclusive. This means you can participate in Erasmus+:
- whether you are a pupil, a student, a trainee, a youth worker, an adult learner, or on teaching or sports staff
- whatever your cultural, social or economic background
- no matter your age
And if you are a researcher, the Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions can help you develop your career thanks to mobility grants and training and collaborating opportunities.
You do not need
any work permit
As an EU citizen, you are also entitled to work — for an employer or as a self-employed person — anywhere in the EU without a work permit.
And if you are a business trader, you may sell your products throughout the entire EU market at no extra cost and with no limits as to quantity, as long as they meet EU standard requirements.
... when you make
a payment
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The euro has been the single currency in many EU countries for 25 years. It makes it easier to buy goods and services across all euro countries.
Payments in euro between banks in different countries also cost the same as domestic payments.
Your savings are protected
EU law protects your bank savings. If your bank fails, you can get up to 100 000 euros of lost savings reimbursed, and get it within just seven days.
And there is more.
Today, when you make a money transfer, the beneficiary often receives it the following business day. This will change!
You will transfer money
in 10 seconds
The EU has adopted new rules that will allow you to send and receive instant payments in euro:
- at any time of day
- at no extra cost
- within your country or to or from any other EU member state
... when you travel
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As an EU national, you have the right to travel freely in the 27 EU countries carrying a valid passport or a national identity card.
You have strong passenger rights
Whether you travel by air, rail, ship or bus, EU rules also ensure you are protected in the event of:
- cancellation
- delayed departure
- late arrival
- lost or damaged luggage
- injury during the journey
You may be offered, depending on the circumstances, a full or partial refund, re-routing, re-booking, food, accommodation or compensation by the travel provider.
If you have a disability or reduced mobility:
- you cannot be refused transport
- you must receive information about your journey in an accessible format
- you have the right to free assistance at terminals and on board
And don’t worry if you need to make a call, text or surf online, you will not need to pay any extra charges thanks to EU roaming rules!
You can get help
outside of the EU
Should you however need assistance outside the EU and your home country does not have an embassy or consulate in the place where you are staying, you can seek help from the embassy or consulate of another member state, for instance if you have a serious accident or illness.
Find out more
How are EU laws made?
The majority of EU laws are adopted jointly by the Council of the European Union, uniting the governments of the EU member states, and the European Parliament, representing EU citizens through elected parliamentarians. The two institutions agree to new laws based on proposals presented by the European Commission. More
What is EU citizenship?
As a national of one of the 27 EU countries, you are also an EU citizen. Being a citizen of the EU means enjoying a host of rights, freedoms and legal protections, across all EU countries. In addition, you can play an active role in the democratic process, by voting or running for office in local and European Parliament elections, even if you are living in another EU country. More
Questions about the EU?
Contact Europe Direct via phone or email or visit the Your Europe portal to get up-to-date information, help and advice on your rights as an EU national (e.g. travel, work and retirement, shopping, running a business) in your language. More
This story is produced by the General Secretariat of the Council. The Secretariat serves both the European Council, which is the EU institution that establishes the general political direction and priorities of the European Union, and the Council of the EU, which brings together national government ministers from each of the 27 EU countries. Ministers meet in different configurations to discuss and decide on legislation in many policy areas, such as transport, trade and the environment. Visit our website
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