European Union Law Research Guide

European Union Treaties

The founding treaties of the European Union are its primary legal authority. All legislation must be in policy areas cited in the treaties. EU institutions can adopt legislation, which the member states then implement. Treaties are amended to make the EU more efficient and transparent, to prepare for new member states, and to introduce new areas of cooperation.

The main European Union treaties are:

• Treaty Establishing the European Coal and Steel Community (1951, expired 2002)
• Treaty of Rome (1957): Established the European Economic Community and the Euratom, extended European economic cooperation beyond the original treaty.
• Single European Act (1986)
• Treaty on European Union (Maastricht Treaty) (1992): Set up a common foreign and security policy and common home affairs policy. 
• Treaty of Amsterdam (1997): Renumbering and consolidation of EU treaties. Increased transparency.
• Treaty of Nice (2001): Enlargement and enhanced Parliamentary role.
• Treaty of Lisbon (2007): Clarifies with powers belong to the EU and which belong to member states. Greater role for European Parliament and for national parliaments. Created a EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy. 
• Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (2007)

Treaties are available as original versions, with amendments, and as consolidated versions. Consolidated versions incorporate, repeal, amend, and renumber sections from earlier treaties.

Find the treaty text:

European Union Legislation

European Union legislation is published in the Official Journal of the European Union.  There is no official EU code, although there are unofficial consolidated versions of legislation incorporating amendments with original text.

• L series:  Final adopted treaties and legislation
• C series: Information and Notices. Non-binding decisions and resolutions, proposed legislation, notices of Court decisions.

Types of legislation published include:

• Treaties
• Regulations: Legislation of general effect, applies directly, binding on member states. National legislation may still be needed to integrate into national law.
• Directives: Binding on member states, with implementing legislation required.
• Decisions: Binding for the EU as a whole unless stated otherwise, do not need national legislation
• Opinions: Written statements of policy, not binding.
• Recommendations: Apply only to the member states cited, not binding.
• Commission Implementing Regulations and Delegated Regulations: Regulations to implement the legislative Regulations.

Finding European Union Legislation

Finding specific legislation by citation or date:

A Google search by citation (regulation number or OJ citation) may work. But check for status of the legislation you find.

Searching for legislation:

Most European databases of national legislation will also include EU legislation

Find European Union legislation by subject or policy area:

Find sources and links to European national legislation

Legislative Procedure and History

EU Policy and Topical Information