EU sources and information: EU Institutions and Bodies
The institutions of the European Union are the seven principal decision-making bodies of the European Union (EU). They are listed in Article 13 of the Treaty on European Union.
In addition to the institutions, there are a number of bodies which play specialised roles in helping the EU to fulfil its tasks.
The EU institutions also created 4 interinstitutional services to serve and support the work of the EU institutions, as well as its agencies and bodies.
European Commission
- European Commission
The European Commission is the EU's executive arm. It makes decisions on the Union's political and strategic direction. It also proposes legislation to the Parliament and the Council of the EU. - Commission Directorates-General, Agencies, and ServicesThe Commission is divided into 53 units of three types: Directorates-General; Service Departments; and Executive Agencies.
European Council
- European Council
The European Council is made up of the leaders of each EU member country. It defines the EU's overall political direction and priorities. It is not one of the EU's legislating institutions, so does not negotiate or adopt EU laws. Instead it sets the EU's policy agenda, traditionally by adopting 'conclusions' during European Council meetings which identify issues of concern and actions to take. Not to be confused with the Council of the European Union.
European Court of Justice
- European Court of Justice
Ensures that EU legislation is interpreted and applied consistently across EU countries. National courts refer to the Court of Justice to clarify a point concerning the interpretation of EU law. The Court of Justice is composed of 28 Judges and 11 Advocates General.
EU Bodies
- Committee of the Regions (CoR)Body of 350 representatives of regional and local governments working to increase participation of European regions in the EU community.
- European Economic and Social CommitteeNon-political body that gives representatives of Europe's civil society groups a platform to express opinions on EU issues.
- European Investment BankThe EIB is the lending arm of the European Union. It focuses its activities on climate and the environment, development, innovation and skills, small and medium-sized businesses, infrastructure and cohesion.
- European External Action ServiceThe EEAS is the European Union’s diplomatic service. It helps the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission implement the EU’s common foreign and security policy, and ensures the consistency and coordination of the EU’s external action. It has a network of EU Delegations throughout the world.
- European OmbudsmanThe European Ombudsman is an independent and impartial body that holds the EU’s institutions and agencies to account and promotes good administration. The Ombudsman helps people, businesses and organisations who face problems with the EU by investigating complaints about maladministration, as well as by proactively looking into broader systemic issues.
- European Data Protection BoardThe EDPB is an independent body that ensures the consistent application of data protection rules throughout the EU, and promotes cooperation between national data protection authorities in the EU.
- European Data Protection SupervisorThe EDPS ensures that EU institutions and bodies respect people’s right to privacy when processing their personal data.
European Parliament
- European Parliament
Directly elected by EU citizens, the Parliament acts as a co-legislator, sharing with the Council of the EU the power to adopt and amend legislative proposals and to decide on the EU budget. It also supervises the work of the Commission and other EU bodies and cooperates with national parliaments of EU countries to get their input.
Council of the European Union
- Council of the European UnionSometimes called the Council of Ministers or just the Council, it negotiates and adopts legislative acts, in most cases together with the European Parliament. It also coordinates EU economic and security policies. Not to be confused with the European Council.
Court of Auditors
- Court of Auditors
The European Court of Auditors has been the EU’s external auditor since its establishment in October 1977. It ensures to improve the way the Union’s finances are managed and contribute to public accountability regarding the raising and spending of the EU budget through assurance and advice.
European Central Bank
- European Central Bank
The ECB and the European System of Central Banks are responsible for keeping prices stable in the euro area. They are also responsible for the monetary and exchange rate policy in the Eurozone and support EU economic policies.
Interinstitutional services
- Publications OfficeThe Publications Office of the European Union is the official provider of publishing services to all EU institutions, bodies and agencies. As such, it is the central point of access to EU law, publications, open data, research results, procurement notices and other official information.
- European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO)EPSO is the EU’s selection office. It organises competitions to recruit candidates to work for EU institutions and agencies.
- Computer Emergency Response TeamCERT-EU manages threats to EU institutions' computer systems – supporting IT security teams in each EU institution and liaising with public-sector CERT counterparts in EU countries.
- European School of AdministrationThe European School of Administration provides training in specific areas for EU staff and works in close cooperation with the training departments of all the institutions to avoid any duplication of effort.