Trends in the EU-27 regarding participation of third-country nationals in the host country’s political life

This Briefing Paper looks at recent developments in the EU relating to the opening up of civic participation to non-nationals. It considers the issue at member state level and seeks to identify trends in the EU-27, looking at voting rights, access to citizenship, advisory councils and arenas of dialogue, as well as the extent to which freedom of association is granted. The author of the Paper observes that while progress towards more participation has been made, this progress is not only slow, but often does not meet the previous standards established by pioneer northern member states and the Council of Europe.