A unified Europe benefits Germany and the other EU countries in a number of ways. This is true for each state as a whole as well as for all of the EU's citizens, who reap these benefits in their everyday life. Our #EuropeCounts section presents examples small and large which all add up to a clear conclusion: the EU is of immense value. It is our common task to protect it and to create even more European added value for everyone.
An agreement on the new partnership with the UK must be concluded by 2021. Until then everything will stay the same.
Until now, the UK has covered 13 percent of the EU budget.
German customs has created 900 new jobs to ensure that it is prepared for every Brexit scenario.
The European customs union has existed for 52 years (since 1968).
Over 114,000 customs officials work in the EU to ensure secure and frictionless trade.
German customs authorities collect around €5 billion in import duties every year.
The Presidency of the Council of the EU rotates among the member states every six months.
In 2020, Germany is holding the Presidency of the Council of the EU for the 13th time since the Treaty of Rome was signed in 1957. Germany last held the Presidency in the first half of 2007.
The Presidency organises and chairs all Council meetings. Over the course of a six-month period, there can be more than 1,500 meetings (or video conferences, as is currently often the case).
Roughly 120 banks and banking groups have been classified as significant and are under the direct supervision of the ECB.
Bank deposits of up to €100,000 per person per bank are protected by law.
Since 2015, Elke König has served as Chair of the Single Resolution Board, the central resolution authority that forms part of the SRM.
Around 500 million people benefit from the economic union in Europe.
At the heart of the single market are the four freedoms: the free movement of goods, services, capital and persons.
Around 60 percent of German exports go to countries in the EU single market.
€540 billion: size of the EU solidarity package to deal with the coronavirus crisis and its immediate effects.
€750 billion: volume of the Next Generation EU economic recovery plan according to the decision made by the European Council in July.
€7.4 billion: amount mobilised by the EU for research into a vaccine as part of its Global Response initiative.
The EU budget adopted for 2020 includes expenditure of approximately €154 billion.
The new Multiannual Financial Framework will apply for 7 years (2021–2027).
At 73%, direct contributions by the member states represent the largest source of EU revenue
Over 130 countries, including all EU member states, are working on a global minimum tax rate within the framework of the OECD.
According to the OECD, up to €240 billion are lost annually worldwide due to tax evasion. This is roughly the equivalent of up to 10 percent of global corporation tax revenue.
The Franco-German proposal for a European financial transaction tax envisages a tax rate of at least 0.2 percent.
