Skills DirectorySearch all skills ↗AI agent skill · by @lawve-ai
EU Legislation
Access EU law. Search and retrieve Directives, Regulations, Treaties and CJEU case law from EUR-Lex.
Archived 2026-10-23 · Source updated 2026-10-02. Check the original repository for the latest version.
SKILL.md instructions
# EU Legislation & Case Law
Access EU law directly. Search and retrieve Directives, Regulations, Decisions, Treaties and CJEU case law from EUR-Lex.
## Capabilities
| Action | Method |
|-------------------------------------------|-----------------|
| **Search legislation/case law** | EUR-Lex Search |
| **Document info, status, modifications** | EUR-Lex /ALL/ |
| **Procedure history** | EUR-Lex /HIS/ |
| **National transposition status** | EUR-Lex /NIM/ |
| **National transposition full text** | Official National Databases (27 MS) |
---
## Method 1: EUR-Lex Search (Semantic Search)
**Best for:** Finding documents by concept, topic, or keyword.
### URL Pattern
```
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/search.html?scope=EURLEX&text=QUERY&lang=LANG&type=quick&locale=LOCALE
```
### Languages (All 24 Official EU Languages)
| Language | Code | Native Name |
|-------------|------|--------------------|
| Bulgarian | bg | Български |
| Czech | cs | Čeština |
| Danish | da | Dansk |
| Dutch | nl | Nederlands |
| English | en | English |
| Estonian | et | Eesti keel |
| Finnish | fi | Suomi |
| French | fr | Français |
| German | de | Deutsch |
| Greek | el | Ελληνικά |
| Croatian | hr | Hrvatski |
| Hungarian | hu | Magyar |
| Irish | ga | Gaeilge |
| Italian | it | Italiano |
| Latvian | lv | Latviešu valoda |
| Lithuanian | lt | Lietuvių kalba |
| Maltese | mt | Malti |
| Polish | pl | Polski |
| Portuguese | pt | Português |
| Romanian | ro | Română |
| Slovak | sk | Slovenčina |
| Slovenian | sl | Slovenščina |
| Spanish | es | Español |
| Swedish | sv | Svenska |
Use code for both `lang=` and `locale=` parameters.
### Document Types (Form)
When reading search results, identify the document type from the "Form" field:
| Form | Type | Description |
|-----------------------------------|----------|--------------------------------|
| Judgment | JUDG | CJEU/General Court judgment |
| Opinion of the Advocate General | OPIN_AG | AG conclusions |
| Directive | DIR | EU Directive |
| Regulation | REG | EU Regulation |
| Decision | DEC | EU Decision |
| Treaty | TREATY | EU Treaty |
| Proposal | PROP | Commission proposal |
**Note:** Prefer broad searches WITHOUT FM_CODED filter to catch more results. Filter by reading the Form field in results instead.
### Examples
```
# Broad search (recommended - catches all document types)
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/search.html?scope=EURLEX&text=cookies+consent&lang=en&type=quick&locale=en
# Search in French
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/search.html?scope=EURLEX&text=protection+donnees&lang=fr&type=quick&locale=fr
# Search CSRD
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/search.html?scope=EURLEX&text=CSRD&lang=en&type=quick&locale=en
```
### Pagination
- Page 1: No `&page` parameter
- Page 2+: Add `&page=2`, `&page=3`, etc.
---
## Method 2: EUR-Lex Document Pages (Advanced)
### URL Patterns
Replace `{CELEX}` with the CELEX ID (e.g., `32016R0679`).
| Page | URL Pattern | Content |
|-----------------|--------------------------------|--------------------------------------------|
| **Full text** | `/TXT/?uri=CELEX:{CELEX}` | Document text |
| **All info** | `/ALL/?uri=CELEX:{CELEX}` | Related docs, modifications, annexes |
| **Procedure** | `/HIS/?uri=CELEX:{CELEX}` | Legislative procedure history |
| **Transposition** | `/NIM/?uri=CELEX:{CELEX}` | National implementation (directives) |
### Base URL
```
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/{LANG}/{PAGE}/?uri=CELEX:{CELEX}
```
### Examples
**GDPR - All information:**
```
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX:32016R0679
```
**Whistleblower Directive - National transposition:**
```
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/NIM/?uri=CELEX:32019L1937
```
**CSRD - Procedure history:**
```
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/HIS/?uri=CELEX:32022L2464
```
---
## What You Can Find
### /ALL/ Page (Document Information)
- **Legal status**: In force, amended, repealed
- **Consolidated version date**
- **ELI**: European Legislation Identifier
- **Modifications**: What acts modified this one
- **Modified by**: List of amending acts with dates
- **Corrected by**: Corrigenda
- **Related documents**: Annexes, proposals, opinions
### /NIM/ Page (National Implementation)
- **Transposition status** by member state
- **National measures** implementing the directive
- **Links to national legislation**
- **Transposition deadlines**
> **IMPORTANT**: EUR-Lex /NIM/ links to national texts often show "Texte non disponible". When this happens, use the **Official National Legal Databases** (see below) to retrieve the actual text.
### /HIS/ Page (Procedure)
- **Legislative procedure** (ordinary, special)
- **Commission proposal**
- **Parliament readings**
- **Council positions**
- **Final adoption date**
---
## Cross-Reference Verification
EU law contains extensive cross-references. **Always verify referenced texts** to provide accurate answers.
### Types of References
| Reference Type | Example | How to Verify |
|-------------------------------------|----------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Internal article | "Article 21" | Re-read the full text |
| External act | "Regulation (EU) 2016/679" | GoodLegal API or EUR-Lex /TXT/ |
| Annex | "Annex I, Part B" | EUR-Lex /ALL/ page |
| Implementing act (Art. 291 TFEU) | "Commission Implementing Regulation" | EUR-Lex /ALL/ → "Internal procedures based on this legislative basic act" |
| Delegated act (Art. 290 TFEU) | "Commission Delegated Regulation" | EUR-Lex /ALL/ → "Internal procedures based on this legislative basic act" |
| CJEU case law | "Case C-xxx/xx" | EUR-Lex /ALL/ → "Affected by case" |
### Verification Workflow
```
Reading EU text
│
├─► Found "Article X" reference?
│ └─► WebFetch same document, extract Article X
│
├─► Found "Directive/Regulation XXXX/XXX" reference?
│ └─► GoodLegal API with CELEX ID
│ OR WebFetch EUR-Lex /TXT/ page
│
├─► Found "Annex" reference?
│ └─► WebFetch EUR-Lex /ALL/ page
│ Look for "Annexes" section
│
└─► Need related/implementing acts?
└─► WebFetch EUR-Lex /ALL/ page
Look for:
- "Implemented by"
- "Delegated acts"
- "Related documents"
- "Based on"
```
### Using /ALL/ for Related Documents
The /ALL/ page shows the complete document ecosystem:
```
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX:{CELEX}
```
**What to look for:**
| EUR-Lex Label | Contains |
|-----------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **Legal basis** | Treaties (Art. 290, 291 TFEU), parent legislation |
| **Internal procedures based on this legislative basic act** | Implementing acts (Art. 291 TFEU) and Delegated acts (Art. 290 TFEU) |
| **Modified by** | Amending acts with dates and affected subdivisions |
| **Modifies** | Acts that this document amends |
| **Corrected by** | Corrigenda (language-specific corrections) |
| **Subsequent related instruments** | Follow-up legislation, related acts |
| **Affected by case** | CJEU judgments interpreting this act |
| **Consolidated text** | Link to consolidated version with all amendments |
**Note:** Implementing acts (uniform application conditions) and Delegated acts (supplement/amend non-essential elements) are often grouped together under "Internal procedures".
### Example: Answering a Legal Question
```
User asks: "What are the penalties under Directive 20XX/XXX?"
Step 1: Get full text
→ GoodLegal API: "320XXLXXXX"
Step 2: Find sanctions article (e.g., Article 30)
→ WebFetch EUR-Lex /TXT/ page, extract Article 30
→ Found: "Member States shall lay down penalties..."
→ References Article 5 (obligations) and Article 10 (reporting)
Step 3: Verify internal references
→ WebFetch same page, extract Articles 5 and 10
→ Article 5: Main compliance obligations
→ Article 10: Notification requirements
Step 4: Check for external references
→ Article 30 references Regulation (EU) 20YY/YYY
→ GoodLegal API: "320YYRYYYY"
→ Extract relevant provisions
Step 5: Check /ALL/ for implementing acts
→ WebFetch EUR-Lex /ALL/?uri=CELEX:320XXLXXXX
→ Found: Commission Implementing Regulation 20ZZ/ZZZ
→ Retrieve and review implementing details
```
### Reference Chain Documentation
When answering legal questions, document the reference chain:
```
**Question:** What are the reporting obligations under Directive 20XX/XXX?
**Answer:**
- Article 10: Notification within 72 hours
- Article 11: Content requirements (see Annex II)
**Internal references verified:**
- Article 5 → Scope of application
- Annex II → Notification template
**External references verified:**
- Regulation 20YY/YYY Article 15 → Definitions
- Commission Implementing Regulation 20ZZ/ZZZ → Technical standards
**Related acts from /ALL/ page:**
- 3 implementing regulations
- 1 delegated act
- 2 amending acts
```
---
## Decision Flow
```
User request
│
├─► Full text needed?
│ └─► GoodLegal API (CELEX ID or reference)
│
├─► Search by concept?
│ └─► EUR-Lex Search via WebFetch
│ Read Form field to identify document type
│
├─► Legal status / modifications?
│ └─► EUR-Lex /ALL/ page via WebFetch
│
├─► Transposition status?
│ └─► EUR-Lex /NIM/ page via WebFetch
│
└─► Legislative procedure?
└─► EUR-Lex /HIS/ page via WebFetch
```
---
## Parallel Search Strategy
For comprehensive research, launch multiple WebFetch calls in parallel:
```
# Search pages 1-5 simultaneously
Page 1: .../search.html?scope=EURLEX&text=QUERY&lang=en&type=quick&locale=en
Page 2: .../search.html?scope=EURLEX&text=QUERY&lang=en&type=quick&locale=en&page=2
Page 3: .../search.html?scope=EURLEX&text=QUERY&lang=en&type=quick&locale=en&page=3
Page 4: .../search.html?scope=EURLEX&text=QUERY&lang=en&type=quick&locale=en&page=4
Page 5: .../search.html?scope=EURLEX&text=QUERY&lang=en&type=quick&locale=en&page=5
```
Then filter results by Form field (Judgment, Directive, Regulation, etc.) based on user needs.
---
## Common References
### Legislation
| Name | CELEX ID |
|---------------|-------------|
| GDPR | 32016R0679 |
| AI Act | 32024R1689 |
| DSA | 32022R2065 |
| DMA | 32022R1925 |
| NIS2 | 32022L2555 |
| Whistleblower | 32019L1937 |
| ePrivacy | 32002L0058 |
| CSRD | 32022L2464 |
### Key CJEU Cases
| Name | Case Number | Topic |
|-------------------|-------------|--------------------------|
| Costa v ENEL | C-6/64 | Primacy |
| Google Spain | C-131/12 | Right to be forgotten |
| Schrems II | C-311/18 | Data transfers |
| Planet49 | C-673/17 | Cookie consent |
---
## Output Format
### Legislation
```
**Directive (EU) 2019/1937 — Whistleblower Protection**
Status: In force (consolidated: 25/07/2024)
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32019L1937
Modifications: 6 amending acts
Transposition: 27/27 Member States
```
### Case Law
```
**Case C-311/18 — Schrems II**
Date: 16/07/2020
Topic: Data transfers, Privacy Shield invalidation
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:62018CJ0311
```
---
## Error Handling
### No Results
- Try different search terms
- Try both EN and User's language
- Use EUR-Lex Search as fallback
- Check CELEX ID format
### EUR-Lex National Text Unavailable
When EUR-Lex /NIM/ links show "Texte non disponible" or "Text not available", follow the **National Transposition Text Retrieval** workflow below.
---
## Method 3: National Transposition Texts
### Problem
EUR-Lex /NIM/ pages list national transposition measures but **the links to actual text often fail** ("Texte non disponible" / "Text not available"). The /NIM/ page provides:
- Name of the national measure (e.g., "Decreto Legislativo 10 marzo 2023, n. 24")
- Official Journal reference (e.g., "Gazzetta Ufficiale n. 63 del 15 marzo 2023")
- Transposition deadline
### Workflow
```
Step 1: EUR-Lex /NIM/ Page
│
└─► WebFetch https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/NIM/?uri=CELEX:{CELEX}
Extract: measure name, Official Journal reference, date
│
▼
Step 2: Try EUR-Lex Link
│
└─► Click/fetch the link provided on the /NIM/ page
(e.g., https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/FR/TXT/?uri=NIM:202302012)
│
├─► Text available? → USE IT ✓
│
└─► "Texte non disponible" / "Text not available"?
│
▼
Step 3: Official National Database (see table below)
│
└─► Use the measure reference from Step 1
Search in the official national legal database
(e.g., Normattiva for Italy, Légifrance for France)
│
├─► Text found? → USE IT ✓
│
└─► Not found?
│
▼
Step 4: Web Search (last resort)
│
└─► Search for official sources using:
- Measure name + number + year
- Official Journal reference
- Filter by official government domains (.gov, .gv, .gouv, etc.)
```
### Official National Legal Databases (All 27 EU Member States)
Sources verified via [N-Lex](https://n-lex.europa.eu/n-lex/index), [European e-Justice Portal](https://e-justice.europa.eu/6/EN/national_legislation), and [European Forum of Official Gazettes](https://op.europa.eu/en/web/forum).
| Country | Code | Official Database | URL |
|---------|------|-------------------|-----|
| Austria | AT | RIS (Rechtsinformationssystem) | https://www.ris.bka.gv.at |
| Belgium | BE | Belgisch Staatsblad / Moniteur Belge | https://www.ejustice.just.fgov.be |
| Bulgaria | BG | Държавен вестник (State Gazette) | https://dv.parliament.bg |
| Croatia | HR | Narodne Novine | https://narodne-novine.nn.hr |
| Cyprus | CY | CyLaw + Official Gazette | http://www.cylaw.org |
| Czechia | CZ | Sbírka zákonů / Zákony pro lidi | https://www.zakonyprolidi.cz |
| Denmark | DK | Retsinformation | https://www.retsinformation.dk |
| Estonia | EE | Riigi Teataja | https://www.riigiteataja.ee |
| Finland | FI | Finlex | https://www.finlex.fi |
| France | FR | Légifrance | https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr |
| Germany | DE | Gesetze im Internet | https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de |
| Greece | EL | Εφημερίδα της Κυβερνήσεως (ΦΕΚ) | https://www.et.gr |
| Hungary | HU | Nemzeti Jogszabálytár | https://njt.hu |
| Ireland | IE | Irish Statute Book | https://www.irishstatutebook.ie |
| Italy | IT | Normattiva / Gazzetta Ufficiale | https://www.normattiva.it |
| Latvia | LV | Likumi.lv | https://likumi.lv |
| Lithuania | LT | e-TAR (Teisės aktų registras) | https://www.e-tar.lt |
| Luxembourg | LU | Legilux | https://legilux.public.lu |
| Malta | MT | Laws of Malta | https://legislation.mt |
| Netherlands | NL | Wetten.overheid.nl | https://wetten.overheid.nl |
| Poland | PL | ISAP (Sejm) | https://isap.sejm.gov.pl |
| Portugal | PT | DRE (Diário da República) | https://dre.pt |
| Romania | RO | Legislatie.just.ro | https://legislatie.just.ro |
| Slovakia | SK | Slov-Lex | https://www.slov-lex.sk |
| Slovenia | SI | PISRS | http://www.pisrs.si |
| Spain | ES | BOE (Boletín Oficial del Estado) | https://www.boe.es |
| Sweden | SE | Lagrummet / Svensk författningssamling | https://lagrummet.se |
### Country-Specific URL Patterns
#### Italy (Normattiva)
```
# By URN (preferred)
https://www.normattiva.it/uri-res/N2Ls?urn:nir:stato:decreto.legislativo:YYYY-MM-DD;NUM
# Example: D.Lgs. 24/2023 (Whistleblower)
https://www.normattiva.it/uri-res/N2Ls?urn:nir:stato:decreto.legislativo:2023-03-10;24
# By Gazzetta Ufficiale
https://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/eli/id/YYYY/MM/DD/XXXXXXXX/sg
```
#### France (Légifrance)
```
# By JORF text number
https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT{NUMBER}
# By law number (search)
https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/search/all?tab_selection=all&searchField=ALL&query=loi+{YEAR}-{NUMBER}
# Example: Loi Waserman 2022-401
https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000045388745
```
#### Germany (Gesetze im Internet)
```
# By law abbreviation
https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/{abbrev}/
# Federal Law Gazette (BGBl)
https://www.bgbl.de/xaver/bgbl/start.xav
```
#### Spain (BOE)
```
# By BOE reference
https://www.boe.es/buscar/doc.php?id=BOE-A-YYYY-NNNNN
# By law reference
https://www.boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-YYYY-NNNNN
```
#### Netherlands (Overheid.nl)
```
# By BWBR number
https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR{NUMBER}
# By Staatsblad reference
https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/stb-{YEAR}-{NUMBER}
```
#### Poland (ISAP)
```
# By Dz.U. reference
https://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/DocDetails.xsp?id=WDU{YEAR}{NUMBER}
```
### Example: Retrieving Italian Transposition Text
```
User asks: "Get the Italian transposition of the Whistleblower Directive"
Step 1: Check EUR-Lex /NIM/
→ WebFetch https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/NIM/?uri=CELEX:32019L1937
→ Found: "Decreto Legislativo 10 marzo 2023, n. 24"
"Gazzetta Ufficiale n. 63 del 15 marzo 2023"
Step 2: Try EUR-Lex link
→ WebFetch the provided link
→ Result: "Texte non disponible"
Step 3: Go to Normattiva (official Italian database)
→ WebFetch https://www.normattiva.it/uri-res/N2Ls?urn:nir:stato:decreto.legislativo:2023-03-10;24
→ SUCCESS: Full text of D.Lgs. 24/2023 retrieved ✓
If Step 3 fails:
Step 4: Web search (last resort)
→ WebSearch "D.Lgs. 24/2023 whistleblowing site:normattiva.it OR site:gazzettaufficiale.it"
```
### Regulatory Authority Websites
For **implementation guidelines, interpretive guidance, and FAQs**, also check the national regulatory authority responsible for the directive:
| Directive | Topic | Key National Authorities |
|-----------|-------|--------------------------|
| 2019/1937 (Whistleblower) | Anti-corruption | IT: [ANAC](https://www.anticorruzione.it), FR: [Défenseur des droits](https://www.defenseurdesdroits.fr), DE: [BfJ](https://www.bundesjustizamt.de) |
| 2016/679 (GDPR) | Data protection | IT: [Garante Privacy](https://www.garanteprivacy.it), FR: [CNIL](https://www.cnil.fr), DE: [BfDI](https://www.bfdi.bund.de) |
| 2022/2555 (NIS2) | Cybersecurity | IT: [ACN](https://www.acn.gov.it), FR: [ANSSI](https://www.ssi.gouv.fr), DE: [BSI](https://www.bsi.bund.de) |
---
## CELEX Format Reference
### Legislation: `3{YEAR}{TYPE}{NUMBER}`
| Type | Code | Example |
|------------|------|-------------|
| Directive | L | 32019L1937 |
| Regulation | R | 32016R0679 |
| Decision | D | 32021D0914 |
### Case Law: `6{YEAR}{COURT}{NUMBER}`
| Court | Code | Example |
|------------------|------|-------------|
| Court of Justice | CJ | 62018CJ0311 |
| General Court | TJ | 62022TJ0354 |
| AG Opinion | CC | 62017CC0673 |