Top 10 advantages of living in the EU
- Valerie Charoux
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
News Moving to the EU – Here are the Top 10 advantages of living in the EU, according to a report published on August 12th, 2025, by the European Union.
Top 10 advantages of living in the EU:
1 – You can work, live and retire in any EU country
When you become an EU citizen, you have the right to study, work or retire in any EU country without needing permits.
In your workplace abroad, you enjoy the same rights as nationals of that country for pay, health and safety, social security and taxes.
In addition, agreements among EU countries to recognize professional qualifications make it easier to find work in another EU country.
2 - You become an EU citizen with no border checks
When you become an EU citizen, you have the right to travel, live, work, study, look for a job or retire in any EU country.
This means that do not need a passport to travel in the EU since your EU ID card is enough and there are no more border or customs checks in almost all of the EU and Schengen area.
The Schengen area abolished border checks between 29 countries and anyone who is legally in the Schengen area can move freely between these countries.
3 - You can use a single currency in 20 EU countries
Around 347 million people use the euro daily in 20 European countries and moving across borders is cheaper since you don't have to pay fees to exchange currencies.
There are EU countries that do not use the euro, namely Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Sweden. However, Bulgaria will use the euro as single currency from January 1st, 2026.
4 - Roaming is free across the EU
Roaming is free across EU borders, and you can use your phone, text and data services under your current plan with your provider at no extra cost.
You can also cross EU borders with a single type of charger, the USB-C, for your mobile phone, tablet, headphones, mice and other portable electronic devices sold in the EU.
5 – You can have free medical care in public hospitals in all EU countries
As an EU citizen, you can have free medical care in public hospitals in the 27 EU countries, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, by asking your health care centre for a European Health Insurance Card before traveling.
The European Health Insurance Card is free and is issued by your national health insurance provider. Each family member should have his own card and then have access to public healthcare under the same terms as a local during short visits.
6 – You can study abroad in any EU country
You can study abroad in any EU country through Erasmus+. There is a list of 34 countries in the program where you can experience a different culture, make new friends, and learn new languages.
Studying abroad is an added benefit for later job prospects.
The list of Erasmus+ eligible countries does not only cover EU countries, but also a very long list of countries worldwide that are associated with the program.
Click here for the list of non-EU Erasmus+ eligible countries.
7 - EU products are safe and come with a 2-year guarantee
Shopping in the EU is safe since products bought online and offline have safety regulations, with limits on harmful chemicals and pollutants.
Shopping in the EU means that you not only have a 2-year guarantee, but you can return online purchases within 14 days without explaining why.
8 – You can benefit from a single market of 31 countries
Living in the EU means you can benefit from a single market of 27 EU countries and 4 non-EU countries.
The EU’s single market means that goods, services, money and people can move freely without technical, legal and bureaucratic barriers.
9 - You benefit from passenger rights
In the EU, you benefit from air, rail, bus, and ship passenger rights.
This means that you may be entitled to compensation and assistance if you're denied boarding, if your trip is cancelled, or if you experience a long delay.
Air passenger rights in EU, means in 27 EU countries, including Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Mayotte, Réunion, Saint Barthélemy, Saint-Martin (French Antilles), the Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands. EU rules also apply to flights to and from Iceland, Norway and Switzerland.
10 – You have the right to vote in European elections
If you are a citizen of an EU country, you can vote in elections in your country of residence and in European elections.
