Enhver unionsborger har ifølge traktaten ret til at klage til ombudsmanden over tilfælde af uregelmæssigheder i forbindelse med handlinger foretaget af Fællesskabets institutioner eller organer, hvis klageren mener at være blevet udsat for administrative undladelser, skødesløshed, magtmisbrug, ulovlige fremgangsmåder, forskelsbehandling, undgåelige forsinkelser eller urimeligheder.
It is the constitutional right of each citizen of the Union to file complaints with the Ombudsman concerning the activities of Community bodies and institutions, if the complainant feels that he has been subject to neglect, carelessness, faulty advice, procedural fault, discrimination, unnecessary delay or unfair action.