Opening Hours
Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 5.00 pm
The reading room is open to the public.
As working spaces in the reading room are limited, prospective visitors are invited to contact us in advance to reserve a space, specifying the dates and general research topics of interest. Prospective users should also closely read the rules concerning access to the Archives, and the access, use, data protection, and reproduction of archival resources of the Historical Archives of the European Union.
To make the most of their visit, we suggest users prepare a list of files for consultation before they arrive by searching the HAEU online inventories.
Upon arrival, the Archives will register the user and inform them of the Archives’ rules and consultation procedures.
Users who are unable to travel to Italy may request digitalisation of selected files via email. Before making any request for digitalisation, conduct an advanced search in our database to see if the file has already been made available in digital (pdf) format. Requests will be evaluated and met depending on available resources at the time.
Prospective users are invited to view a short video tutorial on advanced searches in the HAEU database.
For more information or requests, please contact:
Historical Archives of the European Union
European University Institute
Archives Users Service Desk
Villa Salviati, Via Bolognese 156, I - 50139 Florence
Tel: (+39) 055 4685 649, Email: [email protected]
Upcoming closing dates
- 17 - 21 April 2025
- 1 May 2025
- 4 - 17 August 2025
- 31 October 2025
- 22 - 31 December 2025
Access
One of the main goals of the Historical Archives is to grant to the scholarly community and interested citizens access to EU institutional archives. Specialised staff deliver services to users who wish to consult the archives in a dedicated reading room at Villa Salviati or remotely upon request.
The HAEU online database provides access to the inventories of all holdings preserved at the HAEU, as well as to many digital or digitised documents or audiovisual items that are directly available for online consultation after registration on the online platform.
Users requiring further information can contact the Archives service desk electronically or by phone, and can arrange an appointment with the responsible archivist. Upon request, the HAEU also organises visits of the Archives and Villa Salviati, including the archival vaults, the Villa’s gardens and the Grotto.
Rules Governing the Use of the Historical Archives of the European Union in Florence
The policies of the Historical Archives of the European Union are governed by Council Regulation No. 354/83 amended by Council Regulation No. 2015/496 (EU), notwithstanding the application of further legislation and contractual obligations.
The historical archives of EU Institutions are open to the public after a period of 30 years. The citizens’ right to access European Parliament, Council and Commission documents prior to the period of 30 years is ruled by Regulation 1049/2001 of 30 May 2001. In certain cases, the processing, declassification and preparation of archives for public access by their originating institution may delay the deposit and opening of the archives beyond 30 years. Provisions for the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data are laid down in Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016. The data protection rules of the European University Institute are stated in the Decision of the President No.10 of 18 February 2019.