There may be some circumstances where, compared to the USA, the system in Europe is structured to the relative benefit of GA, rather than CAT, I can't think of any offhand.
Whilst there are obviously cases where they have come unstuck, the FAA trust in the competence of their PPL's, the CAA does not. Hence, in the US, when flying VFR, there is no clearance required to enter 'C' or 'D' airspace. Just that you must be in contact with ATC and squawk mode C in 'C'.
It seems to work there, but given some of the horror stories related in this forum it might not work here.