25 EU successes that make our lives better

Erik Marquardt on 27 October 2020

If you look at the EU today, the abuses often stand out: at the external borders, human rights are too often only valid on paper, there are Member States that completely refuse to show European solidarity and reports about strange laws that come from Brussels. It is clear that there is much that needs to be improved, but No EU is no solution either. The alternative would be to retreat into national calamity.

And so the greatest merits of the EU are perhaps those that cannot even be enumerated: It is hard to imagine what the world would look like without the European peace project.

But besides the grand vision and many problems, there are also some successes of the EU. Here are some enumerated:

A lot done, still a lot to do

EU recovery plan: support during the Corona crisis

Corona caused economic damage in all EU countries, but not to the same extent everywhere: to help member states rebuild their economies, 750 billion is to be made available over the next three years. Of this, 500 billion will be spent without repayment for particularly affected regions. The remaining 250 billion are to be treated as loans.

Free movement within the EU

EU citizens may move, reside and work freely within the EU plus Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Travel from the Algarve to Lapland without border controls: After centuries of barriers within Europe, what was once unthinkable is now taken for granted. The Freedom of Movement Act also includes the right to vote in local elections in the country of residence.

Peace within the EU – longer than ever before

Peace among EU member states is now taken for granted – that is historically unique. While alliances and joint trade have always helped to maintain peace between allies at times, never before has this peace lasted as long and as broadly in Central Europe as it has thanks to the EU.

German-French friendship

After centuries of "hereditary enmity" and countless wars, joint membership of the EU now provides the framework for the close ties between the neighbouring countries. More than 57 years ago, France and Germany signed the Elysée Treaty and reaffirmed their understanding of friendship last year with the Treaty of Aachen. Franco-German relations are to remain deepened through understanding and exchange.

A few laws that make life better

Abolition of roaming charges

Since 15 June 2017, surfing and making calls within the EU has become a little bit easier. With the abolition of roaming charges, mobile internet, calls and SMS in EU countries are now possible at the service provider's domestic price. Even before that, these charges were gradually capped more and more by the EU, so the days when a single international call multiplied the monthly bill are thankfully finally over.

European data protection

With the European Data Protection Regulation, which came into force in May 2018, the EU has achieved a milestone in the defence of citizens' rights against corporations. The law sets uniform standards for data protection in the EU and plays a pioneering role worldwide.

Details: DSGVO: EU General Data Protection Regulation

An example of where the GDPR has a concrete impact: The GDPR shows its first teeth: 50 million fine imposed on Google

Ban on some single-use plastic items

A first step against the plastic flood: In 2019, the directive on the EU-wide ban of single-use plastic articles was adopted. From 2021, plastic cutlery (forks, knives, spoons, stirrers and chopsticks), plastic plates, plastic straws, plastic cotton buds, plastic balloon pens, oxodegradable plastics and expanded polystyrene food containers and cups are to disappear from our supermarkets.

National implementation: Legal rules: How Germany wants to ban single-use plastic

Transactions without additional fees

The EU guarantees that no additional costs will be incurred when abroad in Europe: Transfers, payments, withdrawals and direct debits to accounts in the eurozone must not cost more than at home.

Ban on antibiotic use on healthy animals

As early as 2005, the European Parliament adopted a regulation banning the use of antibiotics to promote growth in farm animals. Since then, there have already been several reclassifications of antibiotics aimed at further curbing their use. In 2018, it was decided, among other things, that some antibiotics may only be used for humans and imported goods must meet EU standards. The aim is to prevent or slow down the development of antibiotic resistance in germs.

Labelling of nutritional values and allergens on foodstuffs

The EU Food Information Regulation No. 1169/2011 informs consumers about the nutritional content of foods and beverages. Since 2016, this has made it easier for us to decide whether a product is good for us or not: it makes it easier for us to determine the true nutrient content or possible allergenic ingredients of a product behind the companies' advertising.

European funds that make life better

European exchange programme Erasmus

The European Erasmus Programme is the world's largest funding programme for stays abroad at universities. It allows students, but also professionals and young people to participate in a funded exchange abroad in Europe. In 2014 – '20 alone, the program was funded with 14.8 billion, so in June 2019 a milestone was reached: By then, a total of more than 10 million people across Europe had participated in Erasmus+ or its predecessor programmes.

All possibilities: Erasmus+: Home page

European Regional Development Fund and European Social Fund

EU funding supports regions according to their structural development and thus ensures a kind of European redistribution. In the new funding period 2021 – '27, there will be increased investment in ecological and social transformation.

Joint European Research Funds

In the financial framework 2014-'20, 80 billion euros were available to fund European research and science projects. It is the world's largest single funding programme for research and innovation, and negotiations are currently underway for the next period up to 2027.

Rights and securities that make life better

European Convention on Human Rights

In 1950, the Council of Europe adopted the European Convention on Human Rights. It is a catalogue of fundamental and human rights, the implementation of which is enforceable by every person. Its observance is monitored by the European Court of Human Rights.

European Social Charter

The European Social Charter is a binding international agreement adopted by the Council of Europe and ratified by most member states. It guarantees the economic, social and cultural rights of EU citizens.

Common food standards

Common food standards apply within the EU. With such regulations and directives, Europe-wide minimum standards are ensured, which may not be fallen short of. The EU focuses on the areas of food hygiene, animal and plant health and contamination and residues. EU authorities check compliance with the standards.

Medical costs abroad in the EU are reimbursed by your own health insurance company

In the event of an accident or illness, the European Health Insurance Card covers medical expenses abroad in the EU. All benefits are reimbursed that would also be reimbursed in the country of origin. In this case, all EU member states, Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Switzerland and, since 2010, Algeria, Andorra, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Egypt, Kosovo, Libya, Macedonia, Morocco, Monaco, Montenegro, San Marino, Serbia, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey and the Vatican City State belong to the EU.

2-year warranty for all products throughout the EU

The 2-year warranty is generally known. In fact, it has only been set at a minimum of 2 years by EU law. Buyers can demand free repair or replacement of the goods within a reasonable period of time. If this is not possible, the purchase price must be refunded or reduced. Once the product has been repaired or replaced, a new warranty period begins, again with a duration of two years.