25th Anniversary - The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights

Share

THE EU CHARTER OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS

25 YEARS ON THE ROAD TO FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS

THE EU CHARTER OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS

A ROADMAP

The Charter of Fundamental rights is the EU’s ‘Bill of Rights’. 
It includes 54 articles, enshrining the fundamental rights that belong to everyone in the EU.

The Charter is more than a document. It is a roadmap for those working to protect the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of everyone in the EU.

The Charter serves as the foundation for new laws, policies and initiatives. 
For example, it is a key reference in values-based ‘Conditionality for receiving EU funding’ and in civil society initiatives such as the Human rights cities’.

For 25 years, the Charter has served as the roadmap for protecting fundamental rights and the rule of law, and strengthening democracy across the EU.

Scroll down to learn more.

Logo illustrating the Charter's 25th Anniversary

THE CHARTER HAS A REAL IMPACT ON PEOPLE'S LIVES

With the ruling of Bauer’s case (C596/16), the EU Court of Justice (CJEU) reinforced the fundamental right to paid annual leave (Article 31). Specifically, the CJEU decided that the right to paid annual leave is so important that it cannot be extinguished, even if the worker dies. This means the employer must pay the worker’s family for any unused vacation days.

In Abdiba’s case (C562/13), the CJEU enforced the right to an effective remedy (Article 47). The Court ruled that individuals with vulnerable health cannot be deported before their asylum claims are properly examined.

These are just a few examples of how the Charter helps protect people and their rights. 

THE EU CHARTER: 25 YEARS ON

In 2000, the European Union made history. 
The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights was adopted as a symbol of unity and shared values. 
For the first time, a single document brought together the basic rights and freedoms of every person in the EU. 

Made legally binding in 2009 by the Treaty of Lisbon, the Charter became a collective achievement of all EU nations 
– a shared roadmap for safeguarding the rights and freedoms that unite Europe. 

Video file

THE FOREFRONT OF HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION

Polarisation is testing societies everywhere. The Charter is our framework to protect democracy and uphold the EU’s founding values of dignity, freedom and equality.

But how does the Charter support the work of lawyers and human rights defenders?

It codifies a wide range of civil, political, economic and social rights into EU law. It makes them directly enforceable before courts. It strengthens litigation and advocacy work.

And how does the Charter complement other international and national human rights standards?

It builds on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the European Convention of Human Rights. It extends beyond their scope to guarantee data protection, environmental, consumer, cultural and asylum rights, as well as good public administration.

The Charter is there to ensure that every person counts and every right matters.

Find out more about the provisions of the Charter in our videos.

FRA - YOUR GUIDE TO THE CHARTER

The EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) offers a range of tools and resources to support the application of the Charter.

FRA’s Case Law Database and Charter e-Guidance are designed to assist legal professionals, researchers and other stakeholders in interpreting and applying the Charter’s provisions effectively.

Whether you are looking for relevant case law or guidance for applying the Charter to legal proceedings or different policy areas, FRA equips you with the means to make fundamental rights tangible and actionable.

Use FRA’s Charter tools and resources to put fundamental rights into practice – and to enhance your work in protecting and promoting them.

THE EU CHARTER OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS

LOOKING AHEAD

Over the past 25 years, the Charter has served as a solid roadmap. It has inspired legislation, influenced court decisions and allowed people to assert their rights – at both national and EU level.

We must stay on track and continue applying the Charter to build a more just, inclusive and rights-based Europe. Today, tomorrow and for generations to come. 

If you want to engage more actively and share your experience with the Charter, join our upcoming Charter Xchange event online on 8 and 9 December 2025.

FRA also supports the conference organised by the European Commission and the EU Council under the Danish Presidency, to mark the 25th anniversary of the proclamation of the Charter.

See you down the road!

Logo for the EU Charter - a roadmap to fundamental rights