Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos

European Union: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

The Information Architects maintain a master list of the topics included in the corpus of  EncyclopĂŚdia Britannica, and create and manage the relationships between them.
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Last updated
EU says 'rabbit hole' video feeds on TikTok violate its digital rules • Nov. 6, 2026, 8:26 AM ET (AP)
Gas deposits off Cyprus are an opportunity for the EU, president says • Nov. 5, 2026, 6:53 AM ET (AP)
Tusk defends suspension of Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal president as protesters gather again • Oct. 31, 2026, 3:49 PM ET (AP)
Carney eyes June deal for Canada to become EU associate member as Trump reshapes alliances • Oct. 31, 2026, 1:35 AM ET (AP)

Facts

Also Known As Unione Europea • Union Européenne • Europäische Union • EU
Awards And Honors Nobel Prize
Date November 1, 1993
Areas Of Involvement trade • defense • European Monetary System • euro area • economic growth • economic integration • euro • Why is Norway not part of the European Union? • Today in History—January 1: When Europe changed its money overnight • currency
Related People Kaja Kallas • Catherine Ashton • Herman Van Rompuy • Umberto Bossi • Romano Prodi • John Bruton

Did You Know?

  • More than 500 million people live in the European Union.
  • There are 24 official languages of the European Union.
  • During Charles de Gaulle's leadership of France in the 1960s, the country twice rejected the United Kingdom's application to the European Economic Community.

Photos and Videos

Flag of the European Union
Map of Europe color-coded to show the expansion of the European Union by year of joining, distinguishing original 1993 members, later additions in 1995, 2004, 2007, and 2013, as well as candidate countries and the United Kingdom as a former member. Country names are labeled within their borders.
Delegates from six European nations sit at a long table signing the Treaty of Rome in a grand hall with elaborate wall murals, surrounded by a large audience.
Map of Europe showing the expansion of the European Economic Community (EEC) by country and year of joining. Original members in central and western Europe are shaded in purple, while later members are highlighted in different colors: green for 1973, yellow for 1981, red for 1986, and blue for East Germany joining as part of reunified Germany in 1990. Country names and historical boundaries are labeled.
The image shows the euro currency symbol in yellow on a blue background, overlaid with detailed pink measurement lines and angles illustrating the official design proportions and specifications.
Large crowd of people fills a city street during a protest in Thessaloniki, Greece, with several cars surrounded by demonstrators and banners visible above the crowd.
A soldier in unmarked green military uniform and face covering stands in front of an armored vehicle with Russian license plates, with other soldiers and vehicles lined up behind.
Nigel Farage smiles while looking out from behind a window covered with purple and yellow signs reading Thank you for voting UKIP at a UKIP campaign office.
Euroskepticism
Nigel Farage stands in front of and gestures toward a UKIP campaign poster reading Breaking Point with an image of a large crowd of people, highlighting immigration concerns before Brexit.
European Union: Its purpose and significance
Learn about the history of the European Union
Learn about the the state of the development of EU-wide systems for crisis management in 2014
Understanding the role of the European Central Bank
See All Videos, Images and Audio →

Related Topics and References

Topics
Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic