Archives services of the EU institutions

The archives of the European institutions are a valuable source of information on the history of the EU and European integration.

The historical archives of the EU's institutions and bodies are open to the public to:

• encourage research into the history of the EU
• promote public interest in European integration
• provide information on the workings of the European institutions.

Access to the EU's historical archives is subject to the 30-year rule, which means that the files are opened to the public 30 years after their date of production.

Each institution and body has its own archives service to manage its documents and files throughout their lifecycle. These services are working increasingly closely together with a view to opening their historical archives to the public. Many of the EU institutions provide facilities for the public to consult their archives.

Individual archives services of the EU institutions:

• European Parliament
• Council of the European Union
• European Commission
• Court of Justice of the European Communities
• European Court of Auditors
• European Economic and Social Committee
• Committee of the Regions
• European Central Bank
• European Investment Bank
• Historical Archives of the European Union

 

The archives that are open to the public and have been fully processed by the archives service concerned, are deposited for permanent preservation at the Historical Archives of the European Union administered by the European University Institute in Florence ( Italy) where they are made available to the public.