Lifelong learning is a process that goes on from the beginning to the end of human life. The concept of lifelong learning supports the adaptation of individuals to the change and development process in society, providing human resources for employment and thus economic development. Lifelong learning, which forms the basic framework of education policies of the European Union, has become widespread with the influence which the process of nomination to the European Union in Turkey brings. When studies on lifelong learning in Turkey are examined; it is seen that subjects such as bringing literacy and basic life skills to the citizens, training human power with the skills required by the market and establishing a lifelong learning system that can meet the social needs are seen as the forefront. In this study, which aims to examine the basic scope and importance of lifelong learning concept, the literature on the related field is reviewed and the educational policies of European Union and Turkey on the topic of lifelong learning are examined