(PT) Despite the fact that the European Union recognises the rights of Member States' citizens to freedom of movement, to the provision of services and to residence, there is considerable difference between what the texts say and the reality experienced by many people. Examples of this are the disparities in health care cover, the risk of dual taxation, the random nature of social provision, the lack of recognition of professional qualifications and the complexity of legal texts, which make it very difficult for the ordinary man or woman to know exactly what their rights are.
Skønt EU anerkender, at medlemsstaternes borgere har ret til fri bevægelighed, fri udveksling af tjenesteydelser og fri etablering, er der fortsat en stor uoverensstemmelse mellem principperne og den virkelighed, vi lever i, hvilket eksemplificeres af lægeudgifter, der ikke godtgøres ens, risiko for dobbeltbeskatning, tilfældige sociale ydelser, manglende anerkendelse af erhvervskvalifikationer og komplicerede lovtekster, der gør det særdeles vanskeligt for almindelige mennesker at vide, hvori deres rettigheder faktisk består.