When we talk about simplifying administrative processes (#smartstate), we don't mean "big" things, just a collection of small things that contribute to making people's lives needlessly more complicated, especially abroad. Here's a silly example with a birth registration. 👇 1/7
A child is born in #Austria and registered with local authorities. Local authorities issue, for free, an original Austrian birth certificate in German and are thoughtful enough to include, for free, an original international birth certificate in multiple languages. 2/7
However, #French authorities will not accept the international birth certificate because it says "extract"; instead, they want a full version, even just in German. This requires us to book an appointment with local authorities and, this time, pay for a new original. 3/7
Now, what is the difference bt the international extract & the full German version, you ask? None. None at all. It's the exact same, but one says "extract" & the other one doesn't. We're not asked for the full international version, just for the same paper without "extract". 4/7
Is this the end of the world? No. Is it needlessly asking us to book an appointment, take up time & resources from public services (esp. with #covid restrictions) & pay a fee, all for nothing? Yes. And what is the point of the international version that isn't accepted? None. 5/7
What can we do? Not much but call upon the Min. for Interior (@Interieur_Gouv, @GDarmanin), EU affairs (@francediplo, @CBeaune) & EU authorities (@EUCouncil) to look into such nonsense and make a conscious effort to ease the lives of citizens and of their own administrations. 6/7
No one likes redundant administrative processes. Living abroad & loving a foreigner (esp. in the #EU) should not be a source of constant puzzles and needless complications like the one presented here. Small & smart reforms do go a long way for citizens. Thank you. 7/7 @VoltEuropa
PS: of course, public servants on both the Austrian 🇦🇹 (@StadtWien) and French 🇫🇷 (@France_Autriche) sides are great and helpful. But requirements come from above and they follow what is required of them by their ministries.
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