European Union Definition and Overview

Timeline

7 February 1992
The European Union (EU) is a sui generis supranational organization established by the Maastricht Treaty (Treaty on European Union), signed on and entering…
1 November 1993
The European Union (EU) is a sui generis supranational organization established by the Maastricht Treaty (Treaty on European Union), signed on 7 February 199…
1 December 2009
The current legal framework rests on the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, both as amended by the Treaty of L…
1 January 2023
Nineteen of the original signatories adopted the euro, with the eurozone expanding to 20 members after Croatia joined on .
31 January 2020
The United Kingdom left the EU on following the 2016 referendum, the first withdrawal under Article 50 TEU.

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Timeline

7 February 1992

The European Union (EU) is a sui generis supranational organization established by the Maastricht Treaty (Treaty on European Union), signed on and entering…

1 November 1993

The European Union (EU) is a sui generis supranational organization established by the Maastricht Treaty (Treaty on European Union), signed on 7 February 199…

1 December 2009

The current legal framework rests on the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, both as amended by the Treaty of L…

1 January 2023

Nineteen of the original signatories adopted the euro, with the eurozone expanding to 20 members after Croatia joined on .

31 January 2020

The United Kingdom left the EU on following the 2016 referendum, the first withdrawal under Article 50 TEU.

Research it like a delegate

The European Union (EU) is a sui generis supranational organization established by the Maastricht Treaty (Treaty on European Union), signed on 7 February 1992 and entering into force on 1 November 1993. It built on earlier European Communities dating from the 1951 Treaty of Paris (which created the European Coal and Steel Community) and the 1957 Treaties of Rome (which created the European Economic Community and Euratom).

The EU operates through a distinctive institutional architecture:

The European Commission, the executive body that proposes legislation and enforces treaties.
The European Parliament, directly elected by EU citizens since 1979.
The Council of the European Union, representing member state governments.
The European Council, comprising heads of state or government, which sets strategic direction.
The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), which interprets EU law.
The European Central Bank, which manages the euro.

The current legal framework rests on the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, both as amended by the Treaty of Lisbon (signed 2007, in force 1 December 2009). The EU has exclusive, shared, or supporting competences depending on policy area, with foreign and security policy coordinated through the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) under a High Representative.

Nineteen of the original signatories adopted the euro, with the eurozone expanding to 20 members after Croatia joined on 1 January 2023. The Schengen Area allows passport-free movement among most member states plus several non-EU neighbors.

Enlargement has occurred in successive waves, most notably the 2004 accession of ten central and eastern European states. The United Kingdom left the EU on 31 January 2020 following the 2016 referendum, the first withdrawal under Article 50 TEU. The EU was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012 for advancing peace, reconciliation, democracy, and human rights in Europe.

Frequently asked questions

How many member states does the EU have?

The EU has 27 member states following the United Kingdom's withdrawal on 31 January 2020.

Is every EU member state in the eurozone or Schengen?

No. As of 2023, 20 member states use the euro, and not all EU states are full Schengen participants; conversely, some non-EU countries like Switzerland and Norway are in Schengen.

What is the difference between the European Council and the Council of the European Union?

The European Council comprises heads of state or government and sets overall political direction, while the Council of the EU is composed of ministers by policy area and co-legislates with the European Parliament.

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Timeline

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Frequently asked questions

How many member states does the EU have?

Is every EU member state in the eurozone or Schengen?

What is the difference between the European Council and the Council of the European Union?

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European Union in the news

Take European Union beyond the glossary

Frequently asked questions

How many member states does the EU have?

Is every EU member state in the eurozone or Schengen?

What is the difference between the European Council and the Council of the European Union?

European Union in the news