European Union - Europäische Union

The European Union is a confederation of 27 member states in Europe with more than 500 million inhabitants.

background

Allocation according to continents and sub-continents

Africa

North africa

• Ceuta
• Melilla
• Canary Islands
• Azores
• Madeira

East Africa

• Mayotte
• Reunion

Middle East

• Cyprus; Only its southern part is an EU member

Europe

Northern Europe

• Finland
• Sweden
• Denmark

Eastern Europe

• Estonia
• Latvia
• Lithuania

Central Europe

• Poland
• Czech Republic
• Slovakia
• Hungary
• Slovenia
• Austria
• Germany

Western Europe

• Netherlands
• Belgium
• Luxembourg
• France
• Republic of Ireland

Southern Europe

• Italy
• Malta
• Spain
• Portugal

Southeast Europe

• Greece
• Croatia
• Romania
• Bulgaria

South America

• French Guiana

North America and Central America

North America

• Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Caribbean

• Martinique
• Guadeloupe

countries

country	currency	EU member	Schengen member	Time zone¹	InterRail (Zone)	Eurail
Belgium	EUR	1958		CET	E.
Bulgaria	BGN	2007	-	OEZ	H
Denmark	DKK	1973		CET	C.
Germany	EUR	1958		CET	C.
Estonia	EEK	2004		OEZ
Finland	EUR	1995		OEZ	B.
France	EUR	1958		CET	E.
Greece	EUR	1981		OEZ	G
Ireland	EUR	1973	-	WEZ
Italy	EUR	1958		CET	G
Latvia	EUR	2004		OEZ
Croatia	HRK	2013		CET
Lithuania	EUR	2004		OEZ
Luxembourg	EUR	1958		CET	E.
Malta	EUR	2004		CET
Netherlands	EUR	1958		CET	E.
Austria	EUR	1995		CET	C.
Poland	PLN	2004		CET	D.	-
Portugal	EUR	1986		WEZ	F.
Romania	RON²	2007	-	OEZ	H	-
Sweden	SEK	1995		CET	B.
Slovakia	SKK	2004		CET	D.
Slovenia	EUR	2004		CET	G
Spain	EUR	1986		CET	F.
Czech Republic	CZK	2004		CET	D.
South Cyprus	EUR	2004	-	OEZ

¹ Winter time. In summer (last Sunday in March to the Saturday before the last Sunday in October): GMT → WEST (UTC 0 → 1), CET → CEST (1 → 2), EET → EET (2 → 3)

² On July 1, 2005, the national currency ROL was replaced by the new currency RON. Four zeros have been deleted. For example, 4,250,300 lei (ROL) became 425.03 lei (RON). ROL is also called leu (Leo) and RON as leu greu (heavy lion). As of March 1, 2005, prices have been quoted in both currencies. The old currency ROL lost its validity on December 31, 2006.

Other goals

The territory of the European Union includes:

• Kaliningrad (Oblast)
• Vatican city
• San Marino
• Monaco
• Liechtenstein
• Andorra
• Switzerland

language

There are 24 official languages ​​in the EU and 54 minority languages ​​spoken in the various member states.

Official official languages

The three main languages ​​and working languages ​​of the European institutions are English, French and German.

Minority languages

getting there

If you are traveling from another EU country, different entry requirements apply depending on the country of origin and the country of destination (valid identity card, valid passport, visa, etc.). Further information can be found in the relevant country article.

mobility

Between the member states of the EU the dem Schengen Agreement (see above) there are no border controls, so you can easily travel from one EU country to the other. You still have to have a passport or identity card (or a valid Schengen visa for non-EU citizens) with you, as ID checks can be carried out on a random basis - even in the hinterland.

The "European Convention on the Regulation of the Movement of Persons between the Member States of the Council of Europe of December 13th, 1957" regulates which documents, i.e. passports and identity cards, are valid entry documents. in the attachment is listed which papers are. This also includes Swiss and French passports that have expired up to 5 years as well as the German ID card one year after expiry.

literature

• Lambach, Philipp; Slide, Christoph: EU Consours: Guide to the European Union. ViaEurope, 2007 (2nd edition), ISBN 3-939938-00-9 .

Web links

• europa.eu - Official website of the EU