The same is true in the United States to a certain extent, though the instructions are a bit more complicated usually. The Yield sign and the Stop sign will have the relevant text within them, but below those signs you will have instructions for the given intersection, especially with stop signs:
"4 Way" or "All Way" -- Indicates that every entrance to the intersection has a stop sign. I understand all way stops are either uncommon or unheard of in Europe.
"Cross Traffic Does Not Stop" - often used with "Two Way" stop
"Traffic from the left/right does not stop" -- often used when one direction is coming off a signaled light or crossing railroad tracks, or other cases when traffic from one direction needs to continue to flow to prevent a backup that could be dangerous.