Principles, countries, history

The common principles and values that underlie life in the EU: freedom, democracy, equality and the rule of law, promoting peace and stability.

Find out how many EU Member States there are, how big the EU economy is, how people live in the EU, and other useful facts about the EU.

Find out more about EU countries, their government and economy, their role in the EU, use of the euro, membership of the Schengen area or location on the map.

Enlargement offers many benefits for both the EU and the countries that join. Find out how it works, learn about previous enlargements, and discover the current candidate countries.

Discover what the EU does for citizens, how it protects rights, promotes prosperity and strives to make the world a safer place.

The major events in the history of the EU, how the EU has developed over the decades, the men and women who have played a key role in the EU.