This handbook on European Freemasonry was created as part of a project focused on "Freemasonry Research" at the Private Institute for Intellectual History and the University of Innsbruck. It serves as a reference work and a tool for introducing the key concepts of European Freemasonry. These fundamental concepts explain and describe the Masonic movement in a compact form, addressing its essence. The cultural and intellectual currents of the respective time periods and their historical impact are also considered, which distinguishes this book from other Masonic publications. The handbook does not aim for a comprehensive treatment of the subject but seeks to provide a scientific guide and a foundation for further studies on Masonic knowledge. It also addresses the role of Freemasonry in social development.