Eligible books must have been published in one of the 27 European Union (EU) member-states in the preceding year, in the original language or a translation.

Works are submitted in one of two categories: essai (which in French means, something broader than the English "essay") and romans et récits ("novels and narratives").

The inaugural European Book Prize was awarded to Belgium's prime minister Guy Verhofstadt for United States of Europe.

While giving the prize, Mankell said that the jury was sensitive to the political courage showed by the current prime minister of Belgium.

While receiving the reward, Verhofstadt said, "When I wrote this book, I in fact meant it as a provocation against all those who didn't want the European Constitution.