The Council of the European Union has published a corrigendum to Directive 2004/38/EC, the foundational EU law on the free movement of persons, correcting a linguistic error in the Romanian language version. The rectification, dated 2 November 2026, changes the phrase "vize de ieșire" (exit visas) to "vize de intrare" (entry visas) in Article 5(1), ensuring the text accurately reflects that EU citizens cannot be subject to entry visa requirements. This technical correction does not alter the substance of the directive but resolves a translation mistake that could have caused legal confusion.
Document Details
The corrigendum was issued by the Council of the European Union and applies to the Romanian version of Directive 2004/38/EC, which governs the right of EU citizens and their family members to move and reside freely within the Union. The error in Article 5(1) mistakenly referred to "exit visas" instead of "entry visas," contradicting the directive's core principle that EU citizens should not require entry visas for travel within the Union. The correction aligns the Romanian text with all other official language versions.
Policy Context
Directive 2004/38/EC is a cornerstone of EU citizenship, codifying the right to free movement and residence. The corrigendum is a purely administrative measure, correcting an obvious linguistic oversight without introducing any new policy or legal obligation. It falls under the EU's competence in Justice, Fundamental Rights, and Free Movement of Persons.
Impact on Stakeholders
The correction has negligible practical impact on EU citizens, national authorities, or legal practitioners, as the error was limited to the Romanian language version and did not affect the directive's application. Romanian-speaking legal professionals and citizens will benefit from clearer, accurate legal text, reducing potential misinterpretation. No economic or regulatory burden changes are involved.
Institutional Follow-Up
No further institutional action is required. The corrigendum is effective upon publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.