The European Union is a political and economic union of 27 member states that governs common economic, social, and security policies. It works to ensure the free movement of people, goods, services and capital within the internal market and maintains common policies on trade, agriculture, fisheries…
The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of 27 member states located primarily in Europe, with a population of just under 452 million as of 2026. It governs common economic, social, and security policies, aiming to ensure the free movement of people, goods, services and capital within the internal market, and maintains common policies on trade, agriculture, fisheries, and regional development. It is a supranational union and a sui generis political entity combining characteristics of both a federation and a confederation. The EU was formed through the Maastricht Treaty, which took effect on 1 November 1993. Its institutional set-up comprises 7 European institutions, 9 EU bodies and over 30 decentralised agencies, with the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council of the European Union, and the European Commission as the four main decision-making institutions. Brussels, Belgium serves as the de facto capital, with institutions also located in Strasbourg, Luxembourg, and Frankfurt.
