EUDO CITIZENSHIP promotes comparative research that is relevant not only for academic scholars, but also for policy makers and civil society organisations. We present therefore the most important results of our research in policy briefs that address these wider audiences. Most policy briefs summarise comparative reports published in full versions on our Comparative Analyses page.

In contrast with other reports, policy briefs contain also policy recommendations. Such recommendations can never be derived from facts alone, but need to be based on values and principles. The values and principles that support our recommendations do not reflect any particular political ideology or agenda, but are generally to be found in international law and the democratic practices of states based on constitutional government and the rule of law.

They include, for example, the principle that citizenship should be based on genuine and effective links between a person and a state, that statelessness must be avoided, that administrative decisions on granting or withdrawing citizenship should be constrained by the rule of law and should be reasoned and that there should be no discrimination in the acquisition or loss of citizenship on grounds of ethnic, racial, religious, or gender identities as well as between citizens who have acquired their citizenship at birth or through naturalisation. We also support the proposition that citizenship policies should not threaten the territorial integrity of states and should, wherever possible, enhance friendly cooperation between them. Moreover, we believe that European Union citizenship connects the citizenships of EU Member States in a sui generis way such that each state should take into account how its laws and policies affect the other members. Finally, we endorse the democratic principle that those persons who are subject to the territorial jurisdiction of states as long-term residents should have access to full citizenship status and rights of political participation.

"European Convention on Nationality (1997) and European Nationality Laws" by Lisa Pilgram (June 2011)

"Loss of Citizenship" by Gerard-René de Groot, Maarten Vink and Iseult Honohan (October 2010)

"Naturalisation" by Rainer Bauböck and Sara Wallace Goodman (October 2010)

"Citizenship laws and policies in the European Union" by the EUDO CITIZENSHIP Consortium (June 2010)

"Ius soli" by Iseult Honohan (July 2010)

Earlier policy brief on citizenship in Europe

Download the IMISCOE policy brief with summaries and recommendations of the NATAC project:

"The acquisition and loss of nationality in 15 EU states" by Rainer Bauböck (2006)