European Citizenship and the Competence of Member States to Grant and to Withdraw the Nationality of their Nationals

Abstract

In the case of Janko Rottmann, the competence of the Member State to grant and to withdrawal the nationality of their nationals is topic of debate. Does the fact that European citizenship is founded on the nationality of the Member States pre- clude the exercise of this competence without considering the consequences for the status and rights of Union citizenship? The Court of Justice of the EU concludes in the present case that this exercise of competences by the Member States may be limited by the principle of proportionality. In this case note this judgement is analysed, also in the context of previous case law on Union citizenship and nationality.