Freedom of the City is an honor given by some municipalities in Australia , Canada , Ireland , France , Italy , New Zealand , South Africa , the United Kingdom , and Zimbabwe to esteem members of its community or to organizations that have given the community heroic service . Freedom of the City is an honor bestowed by some municipalities in Australia , Canada , Ireland , France , Italy , New Zealand , South Africa , Spain , the United Kingdom , and Zimbabwe to esteemed members of its community or to organizations that have given the community heroic service ; the term applies to two separate honors , one civilian and one military .