TheCharter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union lays down everyone’s fundamental rights in the EU.
As we approach the 25th anniversary of the Charter of Fundamental Rights on 7 December 2025, its rights, freedoms, and principles remain as significant as they were a quarter of a century ago.
As part of the celebratory actions, the European Commission publishes a series of videos capturing the voices of people across the EU. Filmed in Amsterdam, Madrid, Copenhagen, and Bucharest, these short interviews offer personal reflections on what fundamental rights mean to people in their everyday lives. The videos aim to raise awareness of the Charter and highlight its relevance to individuals across diverse social and cultural contexts.
Watch all #EUCHARTER25 videos!
The EU is built on the founding values offundamental rights, democracy, and the rule of law. These values are closely linked, as respect for fundamental rights is essential in democratic societies based on the rule of law.
The EU aims to protect and promote its founding values and fundamental rights both within and outside the EU. The protection and promotion of fundamental rights within the EU are based on the founding Treaties and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. They all have the same value asbinding primary law. The Charter became legally binding on the EU with the entry into force of theTreaty of Lisbon in December 2009.
The Charter of Fundamental Rights is the EU’s internal human rights agreement. It protects and promotes everyone’s fundamental rights within the EU. The Charter is a modern instrument, which is interpreted considering the societal changes, scientific and technological developments. It also includes so-called 'third generation' fundamental rights, such as the right to data protection, guarantees on bioethics, and the right to good administration.
The Charter contains 50 fundamental rights and freedoms grouped under six titles:dignity, freedoms, equality, solidarity, citizens’ rights, and justice. These are followed bygeneral provisions on their interpretation and application.
Explanations relating to the Charter of Fundamental Rights
Annual Charter reports
Charter tutorial
Charterpedia
The Strategy to strengthen the application of the Charter of Fundamental Rights in the EU put forward actions to ensure the effectiveapplicationof the Charter by the Member States; empowercivil society organisations,rights defenders and justice practitioners; foster the use of the Charter as acompass for EU institutions; and strengthenpeople’s awareness of their rights under the Charter.
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The EU provides pathways to address and report breaches of fundamental rights when EU law is being implemented.
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The EU is committed to fostering the promotion of fundamental rights in the international context.
To find out more regarding:
TheEU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) was established in 2007 to provide assistance and expertise on fundamental rights to EU institutions, bodies, offices and agencies, and to Member States when they implement EU law. The FRA was established under Council Regulation (EC) No 168/2007 (as amended by Council Regulation (EU) 2022/555 of 5 April 2022). The agency plans its research on the basis of a bi-annual single programming document.
The FRA collects and publishes relevant, objective, reliable and comparable information and data on the situation of fundamental rights and promotes dialogue with civil society to raise awareness of fundamental rights and disseminate its work.
The FRA also collects and publishes data and information on the Charter, including throughthe Charterpedia, an online information portal on fundamental rights. It has also made available online training courses on the Charter.
TheEuropean Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) assists the EU institutions and Member States in integrating the principle of gender equality into their policies and with combating gender-based discrimination. It delivers high quality research and information to support them in their efforts to end gender inequalities. EIGE was established under Regulation (EC) No 1922/2006.
Examples of relevant policy areas:
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