Impact on Citizens of the European Union

The Common Agricultural Policy is the highly protectionist agricultural policy of the EU, which deals with paying subsidies to farmers to ensure they produce the necessary food for Europe to function, also while conserving the environment.

The Common Fisheries Policy is designed to preserve species of fish in European waters that are at risk of being overfished, and also contributing to the protection of the environment.

In the WTO, the EU member states are represented both by the EU itself and the member states. Currently, the EU has exclusive power over negotiating trade deals with non-EU countries.

While EU member states are able to conduct their own foreign policy with 3rd part countries, there is the idea that member states of the EU should take a unified stance on certain dealings with foreign powers, in order to increase the collective power of the EU. Currently, this is done, for example, with the sanctions of Russia over Crimea.

The EU is a key leader on environmental policy, having many ambitious targets for reduction of greenhouse gases, preserving wildlife & environment, and ensuring the air of Europe is safe to breath. The European Emissions Trading System is just 1 such example, with every company allocated a certain number of licences to pollute. Those that pollute less than their licenses allow can sell them to other companies that need to pollute more than their licenses allow. Overall, the idea is to slowly reduce the amount of licences available in the market to reduce emissions.

The EU is also a leader in science and innovation, with programs like Horizon 2020 being participated in by EU and non-EU member states alike.

The European Regional Development Fund redistributes funds from the richest parts of the EU to the most depraved, attempting to level out the playing field and ensure no area of the EU is left behind.

The EU Working Time Directive guarantees workers in the EU minimum rights such as holidays and weekly working times.

Obviously, one of the most noticeable benefits that the EU brings is the freedom of movement of peoples. Any citizen of an EU member state can move to live in any other, providing they've got or are searching for a job or they won't be a drain on the nations welfare.

The Schengen area removes internal border controls between nation states of the EU in order to make it easier for people to travel and businesses to function. In the event of an emergency, border controls can be reintroduced between Schengen member states, either by the initiative of the member states themselves or by recommendation of the Council of the EU. A few member states have temporarily reintroduced border controls, due to the threat of terrorism, or otherwise.

The Erasmus university scheme allows students in EU countries to study a year abroad in another EU country. In general, a University in another EU country will offer you the same fees as a national from that country.

The Digital Single Market will allow people to access their online services wherever they go in Europe. Roaming fees are being removed (to some extent) as well.