EU-Basics
What is the common currency of many EU countries?
The euro
Which institution is directly elected by the citizens?
The European Parliament
Why can people travel in many EU countries without border controls?
Freedom of movement / Schengen
In which country is the European Commission located?
Belgium (Brussels)
Why do EU decisions often take a long time?
Many countries must agree
How many member states does the EU have?
27
Which EU institution proposes new laws?
The European Commission
Name one advantage of the EU for young people.
Erasmus, studying abroad, free travel, no roaming fees
How many stars are on the EU flag?
12
Name one problem the EU has today.
Slow decisions, conflicts between countries, bureaucracy
Name two goals of the European Union.
Peace, cooperation, economic growth, human rights
Which institution represents the governments of the member states?
The Council of the European Union
Why do companies benefit from the single market?
No customs duties, bigger market, same rules
What do the stars on the flag stand for?
they stand for unity and perfection
Why do some people say the EU is “too far away” from citizens?
Decisions seem complicated and hard to understand
What does the “single market” mean?
Free movement of goods, people, services and money
Which institution sets the general political direction of the EU?
The European Council
Name two things that would be different without the EU.
No roaming rules, fewer exchange programs, trade barriers
In which year was the EU founded by the Maastricht Treaty?
1992
Why do some EU member states disagree about how EU money should be spent?
Because countries have different economic situations and interests, and they do not always agree on which projects should get financial support.
The EU is often described as “more than a confederation but less than a federal state.”
What does this mean?
The EU has its own institutions and laws, but the member states still keep a lot of power and are not one single country.
A new EU law about climate protection is planned.
Name two EU institutions that must agree before the law can come into force.
The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union
(Bonus: proposal by the European Commission)
Why did many European countries decide to work closely together after World War II?
To secure peace, prevent new wars, rebuild the economy, and strengthen cooperation between former enemies.
The EU has grown over time through enlargement.
Name one reason why some countries want to join the EU and one reason why existing member states may be sceptical about enlargement.
Countries want to join because of economic benefits, political stability, and freedom of movement.
Existing members may worry about higher costs, more competition, or political differences.
Some people say: “The EU has a democratic deficit.”
What do they mean by this?
They think EU decisions are not democratic enough because many decisions are made by institutions that are not directly elected or are hard to understand for citizens.