have become "citizens of the european union" under european union law and enjoy rights of free movement and the right to vote in elections for the european parliament. when in a non-eu country where there is no british embassy, british citizens have the right to get consular protection from the embassy of any other eu country present in that country. british citizens can live and work in any country within the eu as a result of the right of free movement and residence granted in article 21 of the eu treaty.