Information on our previous ECI:

RETAINING EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP

As Exit Day approaches on 29 March 2019, so does the prospect of millions of UK nationals losing their citizenship of the European Union. This will have a direct impact on people’s lives. One British woman who lives on the border of Spain and Portugal describes how she and her family are uncertain of their access to parts of their unified city, which spans the border, after Brexit. Meanwhile, millions of EU nationals residing, working and studying in the UK also live in Limbo, anxiously awaiting the outcome of protracted negotiations which look set to downgrade their rights.         

Twelve months fly by and the period for collecting endorsements of the Retaining European Citizenship initiative has now closed. We warmly thank more than 23,000 EU citizens who have endorsed the Retaining European Citizenship initiative, those who tried to endorse it but couldn’t negotiate the collection site, and those who wanted to endorse but were reluctant to supply the information required to do so. And thank you, also, to the helpful people at the Commission who responded promptly and positively to all our queries, and to all those such as EUROPE STREET NEWS, The 3 Milllion, and Another Europe is Possible, who give us active support and encouragement.

This has been an interesting and instructive journey, which is not yet finished. Organising and endorsing European Citizens’ Initiatives are rights we hold as EU citizens, and one material way of enacting our citizenship of the Union. We are therefore preparing a further initiative, which will reflect some of the lessons about our EU citizenship which we have learnt during the last year. Please watch this space.

Tony Simpson

Representative

Retaining European Citizenship eci

3 May 2018  

PLEASE SEE OUR FAQ OR SUBMIT A QUESTION IF YOU NEED HELP.

EU NATIONALS IN THE UK: WHEN YOU FILL IN THE FORM PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU REGISTER YOUR EU NATIONALITY.

UK NATIONALS SIGNING IN CERTAIN EU STATES PLEASE NOTE:  

UK nationals in France, Czech Republic and one or two other EU countries using their British passport number as a reference. Once you complete the form and click Support, you may receive an error message about the format / numbering of the document. Simply scroll down and check the box for "The format of my personal identification (document) number and/or postal code is correct - please ignore this error and continue"

"My national identity is deeply important to me; both personally since I am proud to be a European, but also for the sake of all our people, young and old whose rights to live, work, retire and travel freely within the EU, I strongly want to protect and defend."
Sue

"As a Briton, who believes in Europe, and has a life which spans this continent, I cannot give up my European citizenship without a fight. I'd like to know how this initiative progresses, for my rights, my fellow Britons and all Europeans." Samuel

“For peace, human rights, culture and economy we are all European and should not have this right removed from our identity. It is indispensable and central to our way of life.” Polly

“My rights as a UK citizen living and working in the EU are about to be take away from me. I am just one of the millions who was not offered the opportunity to voice opinion as to whether the UK should remain or leave the EU. Retention of my EU citizenship is a most vital aspect of my life. The British government does not act in my name and is not supported by the British people. Indeed the government is supported by 17.4m people and not the 65m people as falsely claimed by the PM.” Stephen

“Where do I start? It's still unbelievable that the UK wants to leave the EU. Please help the 48% retain their European identity and citizenship. The UK government doesn't represent us-- I hope the EU will.” Suzanne

“I am a citizen of Europe and do not want to have my rights taken from me. Organisations and initiatives like yours are key to helping cope with the realities of where the nation now finds itself placed.” Lawrence

“I support retaining my European Citizenship - more than furious about the UK government taking my rights away - rights I have used happily and proudly for 40 years in many ways - very disappointed that my son may lose the rights I have enjoyed also and desperate for him to have the same opportunities.” Nicola

“For a Europe without borders and for a Europe of people working for an improved and shared future.” Malcolm

"I refuse to have my future, and that of my family, stolen away" Andrew

"I did not vote for Brexit, I did not vote to leave the EU. I Wish to remain in the EU. I have a German wife and lived in Germany for 13 years. I know we are better together." David

"I am British & am about to be forced into a situation I couldn't even vote for. Thank you for helping me and all the other British people who are in despair about our country and its leaders. Retain EU citizenship!" Sally (Spain)

"I am first and foremost a European and retaining this citizenship is most important to me." Paul