The economy is the most integrated sector of the European Union. Economic sociology has increasingly been able to demonstrate in recent years that values and culture influence the development of the economy. This raises the question of which economic cultures prevail in the member states and candidate countries of the EU. The study can show, based on representative survey data, that there are three major economic cultures in Europe, which differ primarily in terms of an openness and performance dimension. The similarities and differences are analyzed and attempts are made to explain them. Possible implications for the European integration process are discussed.