The participation of individuals with a migration background, including third-country nationals (TCNs) and mobile EU citizens, hereafter referred to as migrants, within the European Union (EU) has been discussed in policy and academic debates on migration, integration and democratic governance for several decades. These groups may engage in public life through a variety of channels, including voting and standing as candidates in elections where permitted by national legislation, involvement in civic and community organisations, and engagement in consultative or participatory policy processes. The extent and forms of such participation vary across EU Member States, reflecting differences in legal frameworks governing political rights, residence status and access to citizenship. Under EU law, political participation rights are distinguished on the basis of citizenship. Article 20 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) and the Charter of Fundamental Rights guarantee mobile EU citizens the right to vote and stand in municipal and European Parliament elections in their host Member State. Conversely, TCNs do not enjoy the same rights, as their participation remains governed by national legislation. Other barriers to participation that migrants and other non-citizen residents may face include administrative requirements, lack of information, or language barriers. As a result, the participation of migrants in democratic processes remains a subject of policy discussion at European, national and local levels. It has been a factor in several policy initiatives and national integration strategies, with the aim of building more inclusive and representative societies. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP Read more