In this paper, the aspects characterising the Europe design practice in beam-to-colurnn connections are reported, the differences between several typologies are underlined, and the main issues addressed in experimental programs performed during the 90’s at Instituto Superior Tc!cnico of Lisbon (Portugal) in collaboration with the Universitli di Napoli “Federico II” (Italy) are reviewed. The experimental programs were devoted to the assessment of the cyclic behaviour of small and full scale, European type, beamcolumn subassembiages with welded and bolted connections. Two alternative connection solutions, boked and welded, designed for the same beam-to-colurnn joints, are comparatively analysed. The bolted connections are top and seat with double web angles (TSW) connections, while the welded connections are both fully welded rww> and welded flange with web cleats (WF) connections. The experimental resuhs have evidenced the effect of the scale of the specimen, the influence of panel zone and of the loading history on the cyclic behaviour and failure modes of the connections. The major outcomes of these experimental investigations are also evaluated through the comparison with the test results obtained in other research programs.