The Ultimate EU Handbook  

Andras Baneth
Sonia Gongu

This book is the first of its kind to offer an in-depth exploration of EU history, institutions, and procedures, striking the right balance between depth and accessibility. Packed with dozens of flowcharts, illustrations, lists, and other visual aids, it provides a clear and practical guide to understanding how the EU operates. It's an ideal reference for students, EPSO candidates, civil servants, lobbyists, and anyone eager to learn more about the theory and practice of the EU.

What the EU handbook covers

The EU Handbook provides a detailed yet approachable guide to the European Union, focusing on its history, institutions, bodies and agencies, and decision-making procedures. It also includes a comprehensive annex, making it an essential resource for understanding the EU’s core structure and processes.

History
Explore the fascinating history of European integration from 1952 until today, and how EU Treaties have shaped today’s union in significant ways.
Institutions & Bodies
Learn about key EU institutions and bodies, including EU agencies, we discuss their structure, internal governance, members, roles, functions, and practical details.
Decision Making Procedures
Ordinary Legislative Procedure (OLP), Consultation and Consent procedures, Budgetary procedure, Implementing and Delegated acts, we cover it all.
Charts & Graphs
Explore detailed charts, graphs, flowcharts and infographics to get a clear and structured overview of all procedures and systems that EU institutions apply.

Recommended together

Explore this section to discover other essential books
‍perfect for deepening your understanding of the European Union and its workings!

The Ultimate EU Handbook

The EU Handbook provides a detailed yet approachable guide to the European Union, focusing on its history, institutions, bodies and agencies, and decision-making procedures. It also includes a comprehensive annex, making it an essential resource for understanding the EU’s core structure and processes.

Buy Book
The Ultimate EU Testbook -
Administrators

The Ultimate EU Test Book Administrators 2024 edition the new competition process all the way through to the establishment of the Reserve List. It is packed with practical advice on how to maximise your chances of success and hundreds of sample test questions, explaining the shortcuts to answer questions quickly and the common errors that candidates make.

Buy Book
The Ultimate EU Testbook - Assistants

The Ultimate EU Test Book Assistants 2024 is specially designed for candidates preparing for European Personnel Selection office (EPSO) competitions at Assistant (AST) level. It has been updated to the new format of EPSO competitions introduced in 2023 and further revised in 2024. It is relevant to all Assistant-level EPSO open competitions and equivalent CAST selections.

Buy Book

See more details

Explore the Handbook

12 Chapters
Chapter previews
Based on the idea that stronger economic integration was the foundation for development of closer political ties, in 1951 France, the Federal Republic of Germany (commonly referred to as West Germany), Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands signed the Treaty of Paris, creating the European Coal and Steel Community (or ECSC), aimed at coordinating the coal and steel trade between the founding members. Placing these industries under a supranational High Authority was essential in lowering the threat of war. This is considered the first step in economic as well as political European integration, and would be followed by stronger and tighter partnerships, enshrined in Treaties, as well as more members.
The European Commission is one of the main EU institutions, the executive body of the European system of governance and one of the three pillars of the Union's "decision-making triangle" (together with the European Parliament and the Council of the EU). The European Commission, officially head- quartered in Brussels but with offices in Luxembourg and representations in all EU Member States, is legally independent from the Member States and their governments. This ensures that both national interests and collective European priorities are balanced throughout the policy-making process at European level.
The Council of Ministers and the European Council are two cornerstone EU institutions that shape the path of EU policies and their implications for Member States. There are many “councils” in the European context, and it is essential to navigate the European landscape with precision. The Council of the European Union, also referred to as the Council of Ministers, has a distinct mandate from the European Council. These are markedly different from the Council of Europe, based in the French city of Strasbourg, which operates outside the EU framework, focusing primarily on human rights. It currently has 46 Member States, including many that are not EU members such as Armenia, Turkey, Iceland, or the United Kingdom.
The European Parliament is one of the main EU institutions and one of the three pillars of the “decision-making triangle” (together with the European Commission and the Council of the EU). The European Parliament is the voice of EU citizens on the European stage. With its members being directly elected since 1979, it holds a unique democratic legitimacy. In tandem with the Council of the EU, the Parliament has legislative authority, ensuring that the interests of the voters are properly represented.
The Court of Justice of the European Union (Court or CJEU for short) is the EU’s judicial pillar. It plays a key role in conjunction particularly with the European Commission in ensuring the proper and uniform application of EU law across EU Member States. The Court plays a crucial role in ensuring that European law is interpreted and applied consistently across all Member States. This contributes to trust and cooperation among the various EU Member States. It also resolves legal disputes between national governments and EU institutions and may pass judgments against EU institutions on behalf of individuals, companies or organizations whose rights have been infringed.
The European Union’s Ordinary Legislative Procedure (OLP) is the standard decision-making process at the EU level, used for most policy areas by default, unless the EU Treaties specifically state that one of the special legislative procedures, such as the consent or consultation procedure, should be applied instead. In OLP, both the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament, commonly referred to as “co-legislators,” have a deciding vote in the legislative process, and both institutions may amend the European Commission’s legislative proposal.
According to the Treaty of Lisbon, legislation at EU level may be adopted by means of two main procedures: the Ordinary Legislative Procedure (or OLP for short), and the special legislative procedures, whereby depending on the exact policy area under consideration, one of the legislators (that is, either the Parliament, or the Council of Ministers) adopts laws, with limited or significant participation and input from the other. The special legislative procedure includes the Consent Procedure, the Consultation Procedure, and certain other procedures that are used in more specific or unique circumstances, such as the budgetary procedure.
The word Comitology, originating from the French comité, only exists in the EU context and refers to a set of procedures through which the European Commission adopts by-laws to ensure that rules are implemented in a uniform way in all EU Member States, or certain “non-legislative” acts are adopted in a quick and timely manner. This “regulatory decision-making procedure” has a real and significant impact on people’s lives and businesses in and beyond Europe, across a wide range of sectors, such as the environment, food security, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, energy, and many others given that the detailed technical rules are adopted through this process.
The European External Action Service (or EEAS for short) is the European Union’s diplomatic arm responsible for implementing the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). The EEAS was inaugurated on 1 January 2011, as a result of the Treaty of Lisbon, signed in 2007 and in force since December 2009, marking a turning point in the EU’s commitment to a unified foreign policy.
This chapter explores the lesser-known yet vital EU institutions and bodies that significantly contribute to the functioning of the European Union, albeit in most cases with less media coverage than the European Commission, Council of the EU, European Council, and European Parliament. These include: consultative bodies, such as the Committee of the Regions, financial bodies, including the European Central Bank, itself an EU institution, and controlling bodies, like the European Ombudsman.
As the European Union extended its reach into domains such as research and environmental policy, specialised entities were established to manage the complex technicalities these new policy areas entail. This chapter introduces the agencies of the EU, which, while distinct from EU institutions, are integral to the EU’s institutional framework. Governed by European public law, these bodies possess their own legal personalities, enabling them to function with legal and financial autonomy within the Union’s system.
As is often the case with history, the information in this section spills over a variety of adjacent topics. We follow a historical thread but you will soon notice the implications each piece of information has for various other dimensions, be they economic, security, or integration-related.

What customers are saying about The Ultimate EU Handbook

Discover what readers are saying —real testimonials from individuals who have found value, clarity, and inspiration through The Ultimate EU Handbook.

"The Ultimate EU Handbook has been a game-changer for me. It breaks down complex EU processes into clear and practical explanations, making my daily work in public affairs so much easier. I finally feel like I truly understand how decisions are made at the EU level."

Anna T., Policy Advisor, Brussels

"As someone who teaches EU politics, I can't recommend this book enough. It provides both the big picture and the fine details, making it an indispensable resource for students and educators alike. It’s engaging, well-structured, and incredibly insightful."

Johan S., University Lecturer, Amsterdam
"The Ultimate EU Handbook helped me navigate the maze of EU institutions and procedures. It's like having a mentor by my side — always accessible, thorough, and easy to understand. A must-have for anyone working in advocacy."

Clara B., NGO Advocacy Officer, Paris
"Understanding EU policy used to feel overwhelming, but this handbook simplifies everything. It's my go-to guide when covering European affairs. The clear examples and practical tips save me hours of research."

Michael R., Journalist, Berlin
"This book was my secret weapon for preparing for my EPSO exams. It gave me a solid understanding of how the EU functions, which not only boosted my confidence but also helped me excel in the tests. Every aspiring EU official needs this!"

Sofia L., EPSO Candidate, Rome
"As a political science student, this book has been a lifesaver. It breaks down the EU's institutions and decision-making processes in a way that's easy to understand, yet detailed enough for my studies. I finally feel confident writing my essays and preparing for exams!"@

Emma R., University Student, Berlin

Key Handbook Features

Key features of the Handbook include detailed explanations of EU history, institutions, bodies, and decision-making procedures, complemented by a wealth of visual aids such as flowcharts, illustrations, and lists, along with a comprehensive annex for quick reference.

Comprehensive coverage: in-depth insights into the EU's history, institutions, bodies, and decision-making processes, presented in an accessible manner.
Visual aids: dozens of flowcharts, illustrations, and lists designed to simplify complex concepts and enhance understanding.
User-friendly design: structured for ease of navigation, making it a practical resource for both quick reference and deep learning.
Comprehensive annex: a detailed annex offering quick access to essential facts and supplementary information.
Wide appeal: tailored for students, EPSO candidates, civil servants, lobbyists, and anyone looking to better understand the workings of the EU.
eucourse.eu
Test your knowledge!

Watch our e-learning course on the EU

You can access the 14 hour video version of The Ultimate EU Handbook, with professional narration and dynamic visuals, presented by the authors and subject matter experts in the field.

EU Course video lessons
© John Harper Publishing, András Baneth and Sonia Gongu | All Rights Reserved.