Fact Sheets on the European Union
Welcome to the Fact Sheets website. Created in 1979 for Parliament’s first direct elections, the Fact Sheets are designed to provide non-specialists with a straightforward, concise and accurate overview of the European Union’s institutions and policies, and the role that the European Parliament plays in their development.
The Fact Sheets are grouped into five chapters: 1) How the European Union works; 2) Economy, Transformation and Industry; 3) Cohesion, Agriculture and Social Policies; 4) Citizens: fundamental rights, security and justice and 5) The EU’s external relations.
Drafted by the policy departments and support units, the Fact Sheets are available in 24 languages. The online version is reviewed and updated at regular intervals throughout the year, as soon as Parliament adopts any important positions or policies.
The EU’s historical development, the successive treaties, its legal system, decision-making procedures, institutions and bodies, and financing.
Economic governance; the internal market and consumer protection; taxation; industrial and research policy; energy and the environment; public health and food safety.
Regional development and cohesion; agriculture and fisheries; transport and tourism; employment and social affairs; housing policy.
Fundamental rights and freedoms; Charter of Fundamental Rights; justice and home affairs; gender equality; culture and education; petitions; legal affairs and constitutional matters.
Foreign and development policies and trade relations; the promotion of human rights and democracy; the enlargement and relations beyond the EU’s neighbourhood.
Browse the Fact Sheets by chapter and section and either download or read them online. Each Fact Sheet can be saved individually.