On 9 and 10 December 1974, in Paris, the Heads of State or Government of the Nine decide to establish a European passport union, the first step towards the introduction of a standard passport for European Community nationals.

At the press conference which concludes the Fontainebleau Summit held from 25 to 26 June 1984, François Mitterrand, President of the French Republic, holds aloft the first European passport. From 1985, the European passport is to be introduced in Italy, France, Denmark, Ireland and Luxembourg.

Das deutsche Nachrichtenmagazin Der Spiegel beschreibt die Schwierigkeiten auf welche die Einführung eines einheitlichen Europa-Passes in den Ländern der Europäischen Gemeinschaft stößt.