Parliament and EU government negotiators reached a provisional agreement on new rules to ensure that adults in need of assistance in matters such as medical care, their place of residence, real estate, trade or the management of property and assets will receive more support and better protection in cross-border cases. The legislation does not apply to cross-border cases related to marriage, succession, social security, or maintenance obligations.

Respecting a person’s choice

The new rules will allow adults to organise their own protection and support in anticipation of a time when they would not be able to look after these issues themselves. The rules will determine which legal frameworks will deal with cross-border matters, while ensuring the person’s choices are respected. Measures taken in one EU country should not require any special procedure to be recognised in another, although EU countries will be able to refuse to recognise a measure taken in another member state if…