The Maastricht Treaty: Home

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The Maastricht Treaty, officially the Treaty on European Union, was signed by 12 countries in Maastricht on 7 February 1992, and entered into force on 1 November 1993.

What is the aim of the treaty?

Maastricht is an ambitious treaty. It creates the European Union. This encompasses 3 separate strands (so-called pillars):

• the European Communities,
• a common foreign and security policy, and
• cooperation between EU governments on justice and home affairs.

Among its most prominent innovations, the treaty:

• lays the foundations for economic and monetary union, the single currency (the euro) and the criteria for its use;
• provides the legal basis for 6 new EU common policies (including industrial policy and consumer protection);
• strengthens the powers of the European Parliament, bringing in 'co-decision'; and
• introduces the concept of European citizenship.

Click on the tabs to access relevant and authoritative resources on the Maastricht Treaty. 

Signature ceremony of the Treaty of Maastricht, 7 February 1992. [European Commission]

Please note:

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