The United Kingdom’s relationship with the European Union has been hot and cold over the years with Tony Blair’s Europhilia contrasting with Margaret Thatcher’s Euroscepticism.

Anaïs moved to Madrid to work in an office where everyone speaks her language, a French call centre based in Spain.

Joe is one of the estimated 40,000 British nationals living in Portugal and one of the many Europeans who have taken advantage of free-movement.

Since the Euro was introduced, economic inequality between member states has risen with many blaming this on the single currency. 

A common misconception in Europe: Our representatives in the European Parliament are too old to understand younger generations and to launch ambitious political projects. In reality MEPs are hardly bedridden!

Laws made at EU level override laws at a national level. But the power of member states in shaping these laws are considerable.

MEPS have decent pay and pensions but do not get a salary for life.

For many European citizens and some heads of state the EU Commission is an overbearing bloated bureaucracy that has too much unaccountable power. But the reality is much more nuanced.

Many European citizens and heads of state accuse the European Union of imposing too many directives and regulations, especially in social affairs. In reality it is national governments that hold most power in this domain.

Some see Angela Merkel as a dominant figure in Europe with Germany imposing its will over other EU member states.