What is the EU?

The European Union is a group of countries whose governments work together.

It's a bit like a club. To join you have to agree to follow the rules and in return you get certain benefits.

Each country has to pay money to be a member. They mostly do this through taxes.

The EU uses the money to change the way people live and do business in Europe.

Countries join because they think that they will benefit from the changes the EU makes.