The Treaty on European Union (TEU), also known as the Maastricht Treaty, is the foundation treaty of European Union (EU) signed on 7 February 1992 in Maastricht, the Netherlands, setting out the framework for greater political, economic, and social integration among the member states. It is one of the two primary treaties that form the constitutional basis of the EU, the other treaty being the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).
The treaty created the three-pillar structure of the EU, consisting of the European Communities (now the European Union), the Common Foreign and Security Policy, and Justice and Home Affairs. It also introduced the concept of European citizenship and strengthened the role of the European Parliament.
The Maastricht Treaty also laid the groundwork for the creation of the euro, which became the single currency of the EU in 1999. It established criteria for countries to meet before joining the eurozone and set out rules for monetary policy and the governance of the eurozone.
Since its adoption, the Maastricht Treaty has been amended several times, most notably by the Treaty of Amsterdam in 1997, the Treaty of Nice in 2001, and the Treaty of Lisbon in 2007. These amendments have expanded the EU's competences and strengthened its institutions, including the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the European Court of Justice.
You can learn more about this topic and relevant case law with our EU Law notes.
