According to comprehensive news from WorldWay, the future education of children is always one of the most important issues for individuals intending to immigrate to Europe. After successfully obtaining citizenship through property investment immigration programs in Portugal, Spain, Cyprus, or Greece, what educational benefits can the children of applicants enjoy as citizens of EU member states? Below is an analysis of this issue by WorldWay's European property immigration experts:
1. General School Education
As EU citizens, your children enjoy the same rights as citizens of the country in any EU member state under equal conditions.
In schools in that country, your children have the right to be placed in classes that are at the same level as those in their home country, and their language proficiency will not be used as a basis for placement.
If you, as an EU citizen, move to work in another EU member state, according to EU law, your children have the right to free language tutoring in the new country of residence to help them adapt to the new educational system.
However, please note that there are significant differences in the educational systems of EU member states. In some countries, students may choose to pursue academic or vocational education earlier.
This is also why there is no unified recognition of qualifications across the EU. In certain EU countries, you need to have your children's qualifications certified by the educational authority of that country before they can enroll in school.
2. University Education
The cost of universities in Europe varies greatly. In some EU member states, higher education is free, while in others, university tuition is relatively expensive. The criteria for applying for scholarships, grants, and student loans differ.
As European citizens, your children studying at universities in other EU member states:
• Their tuition fees will not exceed those of the citizens of that country
• They have the right to enjoy the same university course grants as students of that country
The above terms may not apply to student living allowances or loans. Some EU member states actively provide living allowances for foreign students.
If your children have resided in that country for more than 5 years, they can enjoy living allowances under the same conditions as students of that country.
3. University Health Insurance
As EU citizens studying at universities in any EU country, please ensure in advance that your children's health insurance in their home country covers their insurance costs for the entire duration of their studies abroad.
Some health insurances only cover costs for a limited time abroad. If this is the case for your child, they will need to register for the health insurance of the country they will be studying in or purchase private health insurance.
As long as your children's health insurance in their home country can cover their study period abroad, they will need to apply for a European Health Insurance Card, which facilitates local medical treatment and reimbursement of any costs.
All old E111 and E128 health insurance forms are now invalid. Your children need to apply for a European Health Insurance Card.
Please familiarize yourself with the different healthcare systems of the country where your child will study: in some countries, you need to pay upfront when visiting a doctor.
4. Work-Study
If you plan for your child to study in another EU country, sufficient income security is necessary. The source of income can be the child's parents, spouse, and of course, work-study.
As EU citizens, your children also enjoy equal work rights while studying in EU member states. They can find full-time jobs without needing a work permit from that country.
Exception - Croatian citizens are temporarily restricted from working in other EU member states.
Most EU member states do not limit the number of hours foreign students can work per week, while some countries impose semester and annual limits on students' working hours.
5. Taxes and Social Security
If your children reside in another EU member state for more than 6 months (183 days) per year, they will be considered tax residents of that country. If this is the case, while working part-time, they will need to pay taxes on their income in that country and join the social security system of that country.
The country where your child studies may also tax their income from other countries. For example, if your child works in their home country during the summer, the income from that work must be reported and taxed in the country where they are studying.
Please note that most, but not all, EU member states have agreements to avoid double taxation. These agreements will specify which country the taxpayer needs to pay taxes to.
Edited by WorldWay
