The evolution of European Union citizenship - where does Zambrano take us?

Prompted by the recent Court of Justice of the European Union (ECJ) decision in Gerardo Ruiz Zambrano v Office national de l'emploi,(1) this article is intended to provide an overview of citizenship of the European Union (EU) and the associated rights of free movement and residence. The Zambrano decision is seen by some as a radical approach taken by the ECJ, a decision which tightens the European Court's constitutional grip on theMember States.(2) Alternatively it can be seen as a decision which brings us one step closer to EU citizenship becoming " ... the fundamental status of nationals of the member states".(3) Whichever view is taken, the decision presents a useful opportunity to take stock of EU citizenship and the free movement and residence rights afforded to EU citizens. This article begins with an explanation of the Zambrano case before considering the evolution of EU citizenship and the contribution the judgment makes to this area.