Diplomatic bloc
European Union
27-member political and economic union with a single market and shared institutions.
Members
26
Founded
1993
Headquarters
Brussels, Belgium
What is the European Union?
The European Union is a political and economic union of 27 member states with a single market that allows free movement of goods, services, capital, and people. It has its own institutions — the European Commission, Parliament, and Council — and 20 members share the euro currency.
Key facts
- Full name
- European Union
- Founded
- 1993 · Created by the Maastricht Treaty; roots in the 1957 Treaty of Rome
- Headquarters
- Brussels, Belgium
- Member states
- 26
- Single currency
- Euro (used by 20 members)
- Core institutions
- Commission, Parliament, Council
European Union member states
26 countries
Why the EU27 matters
The EU negotiates as a single actor on trade and increasingly on foreign policy and sanctions, making it one of the most influential blocs in global affairs. In Model UN, EU members often coordinate common positions in UN committees.
Related blocs & alliances
NATO
32North Atlantic Treaty Organization — 32-member transatlantic defensive alliance.
OECD
38Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development — 38 high-income democracies.
G7
7Industrialised democracies that coordinate global economic and security policy.
G20
19Premier forum for international economic cooperation, ~85% of global GDP.
Frequently asked questions about the EU27
Quick answers to the most common questions about the European Union.
How many countries are in the European Union?
27 member states, after the United Kingdom left in 2020 (Brexit).
Which EU countries use the euro?
Twenty of the 27 members use the euro, forming the eurozone. Others, such as Denmark, Poland, and Sweden, keep their national currencies.
When was the EU founded?
The EU was established by the 1993 Maastricht Treaty, building on earlier communities dating back to the 1957 Treaty of Rome.
Is the European Union the same as Europe or the Schengen Area?
No. 'Europe' is the continent; the EU is a 27-member political union; and the Schengen passport-free travel area overlaps with — but is not identical to — EU membership.
Research the EU27 with Model Diplomat
Get sourced answers on bloc cohesion, voting records, and member positions — built for Model UN delegates and researchers.