Revised version:
Every
citizen of an EU member country is automatically an EU citizen.
However, being an EU national does not replace national citizenship but
can be seen as a supplement to it. There are various ways to obtain EU
citizenship, namely acquisition by birth, descent, marriage or
naturalisation. The latter necessitates spending at least a certain
amount of years in a EU country legally. Being an EU citizen has
important advantages. One of them is the right to move and reside freely
within the European Union under the protection of the diplomatic and
consular authorities of any EU country. Another positive aspect is that
EU citizens are enabled to influence European politics either by voting
in the European elections or by standing as a candidate.
Apart
from these clearly positive aspects, there are also a few disadvantages
of EU citizenship. One of the most significant downsides is
overcrowding, which economically stronger states might have to deal with
as a result of free migration within the European Union. While
authorities of host countries struggle to master this challenge, the
local citizens might see immigrants as scapegoats for taking their jobs.
As a result, many migrants might have to face racism and prejudice
every day. Being a European citizen has benefits as well as
disadvantages but the positive aspects prevail as being part of the EU
can grant you rights which are only available by being a member of this
union.
[238 words]
