The course aims at outlining the origin and the evolution of the European Union from the Treaties of Paris and Rome to the amendments set by the Treaty of Lisbon. After the analysis of the general principals that governs the European Union, attention will be devoted to the role and responsibilities of each institution and to the relationship between the European Union and its member States. Eventually, the free movement of goods, services, capital and people will be addressed through the study of the most relevant case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union