Recent Trends in European Nationality Laws : a Restrictive Turn ?

This note was presented by the authors for a workshop organised by the Committee on Constitutional Affairs on 25/26 March 2008. The paper examines the question whether it is desirable that a considerable part of the population of the European Union remain third country nationals, excluded from participation in national and European elections. The author notes a restrictive trend in naturalisation procedures in several member states and questions their justification in view of increasing trans-border migration.