European Union


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The European Union [1] (abbreviated "EU") is an organization of European countries which delegate some of their sovereignty to common international institutions. It is not a "federal state", but it is this delegation of authority that makes it unique from other international treaty organisations. Its primary impact on travelers are its effect on passport and entry requirements, and the currency used in member nations.

Contents

[edit] Countries

The member states of the European Union are:

1 These European Union member countries have replaced their national currencies with the common European currency, the euro. They are often commonly referred to as the "Eurozone". The euro is also the currency of Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City, and Montenegro even though they are neither member to the euro treaty, nor the European Union. The first three countries mint their own euro coins.

2 Officially the whole of Cyprus lies within the European Union. However, the de facto EU border runs along the Green Line, dividing the country in a Greek and Turkish part. EU law is currently not applied in the Turkish northern third of the nation.

Croatia and Turkey are candidates that are currently negotiating their future membership, but no entry date has been set as yet. Macedonia has been officialy recognised as a candidate country, but no date has been set for the opening of negotiations.

[edit] Understand

The European Union draws its roots from the Second World War. The idea of "European integration" was developed to prevent such a disastrous war from happening again. The idea was first proposed by the French foreign minister Robert Schuman in a speech in 1950, which resulted in the first agreements in 1951 that formed the base for the European Union.

There are three groups of countries that overlap but are not identical:

  • The European Union, a partial political and customs union
  • The Eurozone, countries using the common European currency, the Euro
  • The Schengen Agreement, countries using common visas and immigration controls

Here is a table showing members of each group:

Country EU member Uses euro Schengen agreement
Austria member euro implemented
Belgium member euro implemented
Bulgaria member
possibly in 2011
Czech Republic member
implemented
Cyprus member euro
Croatia candidate

Denmark member
implemented
Estonia member
implemented
Finland member euro implemented
France member euro implemented
Germany member euro implemented
Greece member euro implemented
Hungary member
implemented
Iceland

implemented
Ireland member euro
Italy member euro implemented
Latvia member
implemented
Lithuania member
implemented
Luxembourg member euro implemented
Macedonia candidate

Malta member euro implemented
Monaco
euro
Montenegro
euro
Netherlands member euro implemented
Norway

implemented
Poland member
implemented
Portugal member euro implemented
Romania member

San Marino
euro
Slovakia member
implemented
Slovenia member euro implemented
Spain member euro implemented
Sweden member
implemented
Switzerland

probably in 2008
Turkey candidate

United Kingdom member

Vatican City
euro

[edit] Get in

There are many ways to enter the European Union; your best course of action is to read up on the individual nation you wish to enter. You will have to get a visa from your "primary destination" country. In the case of Schengen Treaty countries, that visa is then valid for all other signatory countries. See the "Get around" section.

[edit] By plane

The largest airports in the European Union are in Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, and Paris. Countless smaller international and regional airports exist.

[edit] Get around

There are no border controls between countries that have signed the Schengen Agreement. Likewise, a visa granted for any Schengen Agreement signatory country is valid in all other countries that signed the treaty. Travel to and from a Schengen Agreement country to any other country will result in the normal border checks.

These countries that have implemented the agreement so far are: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Estonia, Denmark, France, Finland, Hungary, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden. Note that not all EU members have signed the Schengen treaty and not all Schengen treaty countries are members of the European Union. Several countries are members of the Schengen Agreement, but nevertheless have not implemented it. Switzerland is expected to becoma a full Schengen member in 2008. Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Romania will follow at a later date.

Citizens of EU member countries don't need visas to visit other member countries. Citizens of some other countries, such as Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States of America also don't need visas if they are travelling for tourist purposes and their stays lasts no longer than 90 days within a 180 day period inside the Schengen area. Citizens of the EU candidate countries Croatia (except Turkey and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia), also don't need visas, as well as citizens of Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

It is important to note that the 90 days visa-free stay for citizens of Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States of America apply for the whole Schengen area, ie it is not 90 days per country as some assume. Citizens of the above countries who wish to travel around Europe for longer than 90 days must apply for a residency permit. This is best done in Germany, as all other Schengen countries require applicants to apply from their home countries.

[edit] By plane

The European Union has an extensive selection of low-cost carriers, which can fly freely within the Union.

All flights within and from the European Union limit liquids, gels and creams in hand baggage to 100 mL/container, carried in a transparent, zip-lock plastic bag (1L or less). The bag must be presented during security checks and only one bag per passenger is permitted.

At some airports, airlines will still insist on seeing your id-card or passport.

[edit] By car

There is a set of traffic signs valid in many EU countries. The most important are described here:

  • Speed limit A round white or yellow board surrounded by a red ring with a black number in the middle. This is the maximum allowed speed in km/h.1
  • End of Speed limit A round white board with a gray number on it (speed in km/h1), slashed with 4 thin black lines.
  • Stop A red octagon with 'STOP' in white letters.
  • Yield A white or yellow triangle surrounded by a red edge standing on one corner.
  • Priority street A yellow square with a white edge standing on a corner.
  • End of priority The same, but slashed with 4 thin black lines.
  • No overtaking A round white or yellow board with a red edge and a red car on the left and a black car on the right inside. Often the sign is only valid for trucks and shows a red truck in this case.2

1 All speed limits and distances are measured and marked in miles or mph in the United Kingdom.

2 In the United Kingdom and Ireland, the red vehicle is on the right.

[edit] Buy

[edit] The euro

The euro (Symbol: €; ISO 4217 code EUR) is the common currency of many countries of the European Union. One euro equals 100 cents; officially referred to as 'euro cent' to differentiate them from their US and other counterparts.

The euro has not been adopted by all EU countries. The 13 countries of the EU that have replaced their own national currencies are commonly called the Eurozone. Most other EU countries are due to replace their currencies with the euro over the next few years. 3 countries (Denmark, Sweden, and the United Kingdom) currently have no intention of adopting the euro in the foreseeable future, however some shops within the United Kingdom accept both British pounds and euros.

Established in 1999 and introduced in cash form on January 1st, 2002, the euro removes the need for money exchange. As such it is not only a boon to paneuropean business, but of course also to travellers.

Since it has been only a few years since the introduction of euro cash, some people will still use the old national currency names. For example, it is entirely possible that a German would still refer to "marks" and "pfennige". They mean euros and cents, so just substitute the two mentally.

It's not a good idea to accept any of the obsolete currencies. While several countries' banks will still change them into euros, it's a lot of hassle and there is no guarantee that this will be possible everywhere or on short notice. You should also expect to leave your personal information with the bank as a precaution against money laundering.

[edit] ATMs

Throughout Europe, automatic teller machines are readily available. They will accept various European bank cards as well as credit cards. However, be prepared to pay a fee for the service (usually a percentage of the amount withdrawn, with a minimum of few euro). Read the labels/notices on the machine before using.

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