Eurocode 7 on geotechnical design consists of two Parts: General rules (Part 1) and Ground investigation and testing (Part 2). Their conversion into full European Standards (ENs) has now been completed. The contents and main principles of the two parts of Eurocode 7 are described and it is shown how they fit into the concept of limit states in the system of the ten structural Eurocodes. Some aspects of particular interest are presented, such as ultimate limit state verifications in persistent and transient design situations. The Eurocode gives a number of options which have to be decided by the national standards bodies, such as three design approaches for the verification of geotechnical ultimate limit states in persistent and transient situations and the values of the partial factors. On the one hand, this is of course a shortcoming for a code but, on the other hand, it constitutes an openness which makes adoption of the code attractive not only in Europe but also world-wide. However, in future, further harmonization will be necessary to improve the competitiveness of the construction industry. The evaluation of questionnaires on which of the three design approaches for the verification of geotechnical ultimate limit states and which values of the partial factors have been selected in the Member States is presented. It shows that there is great potential for the harmonization of geotechnical design in Europe which must be investigated by research to support and prepare the next steps of further standardization.