Although a European federation has not been achieved, democratization and identity-building have been crucial components of the European integration. From the demonstrations of European federalists, to the first direct elections of the European Parliament in 1979, to the debate on the fundamental rights of the European Union, institutions and citizens have long discussed the meaning of being European.

Citizenship of the EU was given to the citizens of Member States by the Treaty of Maastricht, but this concept is still a much debated issue, as it questions individual and group identities in the current global environment.

The Union of European Federalists (UEF) was established in 1946, to coordinate the activities of the many federalist movements across Europe. The first federalist movement, Movimento Federalista Europeo (MFE) was founded by Altiero Spinelli in Italy, in 1943.

The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union was signed in 2000 and became legally binding in 2009. It sets out the fundamental rights of everyone living in the European Union.​

Human dignity, freedom, equality and solidarity are the fundamental values on which the Union is based, while democracy and rule of law are its operating principles.