Our History
Opening of the email service
The European Commission opens an email service to respond to requests for information about its activities.
A small team of operators within the Commission handles these enquiries and provides advice on how to find the information requested. Also in 1996, as part of the "Citizens First" initiative promoting citizens' rights in the internal market, a rapid response centre was set up to send out guides and information sheets to applicants.
Establishment of a permanent call centre
The European Council meeting in Cardiff recommended the creation of a permanent call centre called EUROPE DIRECT to provide an easy-to-use direct access point for information and advice on the Union.
The service can be accessed from the 25 Member States and in the 20 official languages by means of a single toll-free number accessible from any fixed telephone in the Member States and from mobile phones in most countries: 00 800 67891011.
New generation of the network "EUROPE DIRECT"
The new generation of the "EUROPE DIRECT" information network is created as a unified information network for the general public by merging the "Info Points Europe" and "Carrefour" networks.
Extension to new Member States
The service is extended to two new Member States, Bulgaria and Romania, and is available in 3 additional official languages: Bulgarian, Romanian and Irish.
Second generation of the network "EUROPE DIRECT"
Launch of the second generation of EUROPE DIRECT EUROPEAN INFORMATION CENTRES.
With the accession of Croatia (1-7-2013) the service is also available in Croatian.
Today the service is available in 24 languages.