Glossary

EU jargon, decoded.

Every term Euvo highlights in an article lives here, in one plain-English line. Search it, or jump straight to a letter.

A

AI ActThe EU's landmark law on artificial intelligence. It bans the riskiest uses and puts guardrails on 'high-risk' AI systems.

C

Council Directive 91/477/EECThis is an old EU law that set common rules for owning guns across member countries.Council of the EUMinisters from each member state meeting to negotiate and pass EU laws together with the Parliament. Not the same as the European Council.

D

DirectiveAn EU law that sets a goal every member state must achieve, but leaves the exact wording of the national law up to each country.Directive (EU) 2017/853This EU law, from 2017, tightens rules on civilian firearms, making Europe safer.

E

ECJThe European Court of Justice, the EU's top court. It makes sure EU law is applied the same way in every member state.EU member statesThese are the 27 countries that have formally joined the European Union and are bound by its laws and treaties.EU's executive bodyThe EU's executive body acts like its government, proposing laws and managing the bloc's day-to-day affairs.European Central BankThe central bank for the euro. Sets interest rates and looks after price stability across the eurozone.European CommissionThe EU's executive branch. It proposes laws, enforces them, and runs the day-to-day of the Union.European CouncilThe regular summit of EU heads of state and government. It sets the political direction, but doesn't pass laws itself.European Defence FundThe European Defence Fund helps EU countries work together on defence research and developing military equipment.European ParliamentThe directly elected assembly of the EU. 720 MEPs vote on laws and the EU budget alongside the Council.European strategic autonomyThe EU wanting to act independently and shape global affairs without relying too much on others.European UnionThe European Union is a one-of-a-kind partnership between 27 European countries working together for peace and prosperity.EurozoneThe group of EU countries that use the euro as their currency. Not every EU member is in it (yet).

G

GDPRThe EU's data protection law. It gives you rights over your personal data and sets strict rules for companies that handle it.Green DealThe EU's plan to become climate-neutral by 2050, covering energy, transport, industry, farming and finance.

M

MEPMember of the European Parliament, an elected lawmaker who represents citizens at the EU level.

N

NATONATO is a security club of countries including many in Europe and North America, promising to defend each other if attacked.

Q

Qualified majorityThe main way the Council votes: at least 55% of countries representing 65% of the EU's population must say yes.

R

RegulationAn EU law that applies directly and identically in every member state as soon as it takes effect, no national translation needed.

S

SchengenThe passport-free travel area covering most EU countries plus a few neighbours. Border checks between members are usually removed.Single MarketThe EU's shared economy: goods, services, people and money can move freely across member states as if it were one country.

T

TrilogueClosed-door negotiations between Parliament, Council and Commission to agree on the final text of an EU law.