Free movement for all
Access to rights for destitute mobile EU citizens
Download the summary of the seminar here [PDF]
5th of December 2023 (09:30 – 14:00)
The European Parliament, Room SPAAK 4B1
Hosted by MEP Leila Chaibi (GUE/NGL)
Chaired by Jules Van Dam, Director De Tussenvoorziening (Utrecht, Netherlands)
FEANTSA works to raise awareness on the challenges that mobile EU citizens face across Europe and their experiences of destitution. In the past years, mobile EU citizens have been overrepresented among the total population of people experiencing homelessness in many European cities, being met in the homelessness sector or sleeping rough on the streets.
This seminar aims to shed light on existing gaps in EU legislation and social policies which contribute to destitution and situations of homelessness among mobile EU citizens. The speakers will present on the obstacles in the registration process, as a key step in accessing rights for mobile EU citizens; the importance and difficulties in obtaining an address in a host Member State; and the lack of access to accommodation (to a minimum, emergency type) for all mobile EU citizens. The event will also be an opportunity to explore together with representatives of the European Commission and the European Parliament existing developments at EU level to address homelessness, including among people exercising their right to free movement. Updates will be shared regarding legislative opportunities and social policies that could contribute to improving the situation of destitute mobile EU citizens (e.g.: the European Platform on Combatting Homelessness, forthcoming EC communication on Directive 2004/38/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the right of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States).
