Wrong. All Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) receive a monthly salary of €10,337, not accounting for taxes. On top of their salary, MEPs also receive a monthly allowance of €4,950 to cover office expenses in their home constituency. In addition, they receive a daily allowance of €350 for just coming to work. If they miss over half of the roll-call votes during a plenary session, the allowance is halved per day. Given the Parliament's calendar, this allowance can amount to about €4,400 monthly.

Correct! The anthem of the European Union is "Ode to Joy" from the final movement of Ludwig van Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. The whole symphony is quite a grandiose piece of music, so give it a listen. We recommend the recording with Sir Simon Rattle and the Wiener Philharmoniker.

Nope, it's not from them! The anthem of the European Union is "Ode to Joy" from the final movement of Ludwig van Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. The whole symphony is quite a grandiose piece of music, so give it a listen. We recommend the recording with Sir Simon Rattle and the Wiener Philharmoniker.

How did you know that?! You're correct. Reinhold Messner, a legendary mountaineer from South Tyrol, was the first to climb all 14 eight-thousanders, between 1970 and 1986. Even more impressive, he did so without supplementary oxygen. From 1999 to 2004, he served as a member of the European Parliament for an Italian Green party. In that time, he mostly advocated for stronger environmental protection.

That's not correct, sadly. Reinhold Messner, the legendary Italian mountaineer from South Tyrol, was the first to climb all 14 eight-thousanders, between 1970 and 1986. Even more impressive, he did so without supplementary oxygen. From 1999 to 2004, he served as a member of the European Parliament for an Italian Green party. During his mandate, he mostly advocated for stronger environmental protection.

Indeed, the EU has 24 official languages, but the continent is home to approximately 200 spoken languages. This number might seem modest compared to other continents; for instance, Africa has between 1,500 and 2,000 languages.

The EU has 24 official languages, but the continent is home to approximately 200 spoken languages. This number might seem modest compared to other continents; for instance, Africa has between 1,500 and 2,000 languages.

That's right! The EU institutions, which govern around 450 million people, employ over 60,000 people. For comparison, Austria, with just over nine million inhabitants, had over 135,000 employees in its public sector in 2022. That's perhaps one of the biggest misconceptions about the EU: many make the 'Brussels bureaucracy' out to be huge, whereas it's minuscule compared to other countries.

Nope, not that! The EU institutions, which govern around 450 million people, employ over 60,000 people. For comparison, Austria, with just over nine million inhabitants, had over 135,000 employees in its public sector in 2022. That's perhaps one of the biggest misconceptions about the EU: many make the 'Brussels bureaucracy' out to be huge, whereas it's minuscule compared to other countries.

Wow, so you're an EU insider. Ursula von der Leyen's beloved pony Dolly was killed by a wolf in Lower Saxony in September 2022. Since then, she has been pushing to reduce the wolf's protection status from "strictly protected" to "protected," allowing the animals to be killed more easily if they threaten livestock.

Nope. Ursula von der Leyen's beloved pony Dolly was killed by a wolf in Lower Saxony in September 2022. Since then, she has been pushing to reduce the wolf's protection status from "strictly protected" to "protected," allowing the animals to be killed more easily if they threaten livestock.

To the annoyance of many MEPs and the detriment of the environment, the European Parliament is seated in both Brussels and Strasbourg. While Brussels is its main location, the European Parliament meets in Strasbourg for monthly plenary sessions, typically four days per month.

Incorrect. To the annoyance of many MEPs and the detriment of the environment, the European Parliament is seated in both Brussels and Strasbourg. While Brussels is its main location, the European Parliament meets in Strasbourg for monthly plenary sessions, typically four days per month.

Correct! The Common Agricultural Policy, the EU's main instrument to fund agriculture in Europe, accounts for around 31% or €387 billion of the budget for 2021-2027. With that money, the European Commission helps farmers earn a stable income and ensures a steady supply of affordable and safe food. However, it's criticised for being too expensive, favouring large farms over small ones, and sometimes leading to overproduction and waste. Critics also argue that does not do enough to address the climate crisis or promote truly sustainable farming practices.

Wrong. The Common Agricultural Policy, the EU's main instrument to fund agriculture in Europe, accounts for around 31% or €387 billion of the budget for 2021-2027. With that money, the European Commission helps farmers earn a stable income and ensures a steady supply of affordable and safe food. However, it's criticised for being too expensive, favouring large farms over small ones, and sometimes leading to overproduction and waste. Critics also argue that does not do enough to address the climate crisis or promote truly sustainable farming practices.

Yes, as wild as it sounds, Hungary's MEP József Szájer was apprehended by the police as he was fleeing a party they violated Covid-19 lockdown rules, where 25 naked men were found. Ironically, Szájer was a member of Hungary's Fidesz party, which is known for its strong homophobic stance.

No. As wild as it sounds, Hungary's MEP József Szájer was apprehended by the police as he was fleeing a party they violated Covid-19 lockdown rules, where 25 naked men were found. Ironically, Szájer was a member of Hungary's Fidesz party, which is known for its strong homophobic stance.

Yeah, Greenland is not part of the EU because it chose to leave the EU's predecessor, the European Economic Community (EEC), in 1985. Although Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark and was initially part of the EEC as part of Denmark's membership, in a 1982 referendum, the majority voted to leave due to concerns over the impact of EEC policies on its fishing industry and its desire for greater self-determination. Greenland is now part of the Kingdom of Denmark but maintains a separate relationship with the EU.

Despite being far from mainland Europe, all other listed territories belong to EU member states and are EU territories.

Nope, not that. Greenland is not part of the EU because it chose to leave the EU's predecessor, the European Economic Community (EEC), in 1985. Although Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark and was initially part of the EEC as part of Denmark's membership, in a 1982 referendum, the majority voted to leave due to concerns over the impact of EEC policies on its fishing industry and its desire for greater self-determination. Greenland is now part of the Kingdom of Denmark but maintains a separate relationship with the EU.

Despite being far from mainland Europe, all other listed territories belong to EU member states and are EU territories.

Correct! After June's European elections, the Parliament comprises 720 MEPs, up from 705 MEPs. It represents the second-largest electorate in the world after the Parliament of India, with an electorate of around 375 million eligible voters in 2024.

Wrong. After June's European elections, the Parliament comprises 720 MEPs, up from 705 MEPs. It represents the second-largest electorate in the world after the Parliament of India, with an electorate of around 375 million eligible voters in 2024.

Correct. Malta has the smallest population of any EU member state, with just over 540,000 people in 2023. The member state with the largest population is Germany, which has over 84 million people.

Wrong. Malta has the smallest population of any EU member state, with just over 540,000 people in 2023. The member state with the largest population is Germany, which has over 84 million people.

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