European Union (EU)

The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of 27 member states in Europe, representing nearly 450 million people. It is one of the most influential organizations in the world, promoting peace, unity, and cooperation.

Member States – The EU has 27 member countries

• Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France
• Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands
• Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden

Out of these, 20 countries use the euro (€) as their official currency, forming the Eurozone.

Purpose of the EU – The EU was created to ensure peace, stability, and prosperity in Europe. Its key goals are:

• Free movement of people, goods, services, and capital
• A unified economic and monetary system
• Common policies on trade, agriculture, fisheries, and regional development
• Environmental protection and sustainability goals
• Encouraging science, technology, and innovation
• Protecting human rights, equality, and democracy

Freedom of Movement

• The principle of free movement and residence has existed since the 1957 Treaty of Rome.
• EU citizens can live, work, and study in any EU country without being considered “immigrants.”

Candidate & Potential Candidate Countries (2025) – The EU is expanding, with several countries in the process of joining

• Candidate countries: Turkey, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, North Macedonia, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Potential candidate: Kosovo

EU Institutions – The EU is governed by powerful institutions

• European Parliament – elected representatives
• European Commission – proposes and enforces laws
• European Council – sets policies and priorities
• Court of Justice of the EU – ensures laws are applied fairly

Key Facts (2025)

• 27 EU member states
• 20 Eurozone countries using the euro
• 450+ million citizens
• Enlargement underway with Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, and others

For official information, visit european-union.europa.eu.