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 executive body of the European Union. Its main roles include: proposing new laws and policies; monitoring their implementation; managing the EU budget. The Commission also ensures that EU policies and laws are correctly applied across Member States, negotiates international agreements on behalf of the EU, and allocates funding. Additionally, it represents the interests of the EU on the global stage, ensuring a coordinated approach among EU countries. - Departments and executive agenciesThe European Commission is organised into: Policy departments, known as Directorates-General, responsible for different policy areas. They develop, implement and manage EU policy, law, and funding programmes; Service departments dealing with particular administrative issues; Executive agencies managing programmes set up by the Commission.
European Council
- European Council
The European Council defines the EU's overall political direction and priorities, traditionally by adopting conclusions. It does not negotiate or adopt EU laws.
Council of the European Union
- Council of the European UnionThe Council of the EU is where national ministers from each EU country meet to negotiate and adopt EU laws.
European Parliament
- European Parliament
The Members of the European Parliament are directly elected by voters in all Member States to represent people’s interests with regard to EU law-making and to make sure other EU institutions are working democratically.
European Court of Justice
- Court of Justice of the European Union
Since the establishment of the Court of Justice of the European Union in 1952, its mission has been to ensure that "the law is observed" "in the interpretation and application" of the Treaties. As part of that mission, the Court of Justice of the European Union:reviews the legality of the acts of the institutions of the European Union; ensures that the Member States comply with obligations under the Treaties; and interprets European Union law at the request of the national courts and tribunals.
Court of Auditors
- European Court of Auditors
Through our independent, professional and impactful audit work, our mission is to assess the economy, effectiveness, efficiency, legality and regularity of EU action in order to improve accountability, transparency and financial management, thereby enhancing citizens’ trust and responding effectively to current and future challenges facing the EU.
European Central Bank
- European Central Bank
Here at the European Central Bank (ECB), we work to keep prices stable in the euro area. We do this so that you will be able to buy as much with your money tomorrow as you can today. We also contribute to the safety and soundness of the European banking system. This helps to ensure that your money stays safe in the bank.
EU Bodies
- Committee of the Regions (CoR)The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) is the voice of regions and cities in the European Union (EU). It represents local and regional authorities across the European Union and advises on new laws that have an impact on regions and cities (70% of all EU legislation).
- European Economic and Social CommitteeThe European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is the voice of organised civil society in Europe. It represents employers, workers and civil society organisations. The expertise of its 329 members helps optimise the quality of EU policies and legislation.
- European Investment BankThe European Investment Bank is the lending arm of the European Union. We are one of the biggest multilateral financial institutions in the world and one of the largest providers of climate finance.
- European External Action ServiceThe European External Action Service (EEAS) is the European Union’s diplomatic service. Since 2011, the EEAS carries out the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy to promote peace, prosperity, security, and the interests of Europeans across the globe.
- 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 facing problems with the EU’s administration by investigating complaints about maladministration by EU institutions and bodies, as well as by proactively looking into broader systemic issues.
- European Data Protection BoardThe EDPB’s goal is to ensure a consistent application and enforcement of data protection law across the European Economic Area, EEA.
- European Data Protection SupervisorThe European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) is the European Union’s (EU) independent data protection authority.
Interinstitutional services
- Publications Office of the European UnionThe 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, and also to publications, data, research results, procurement notices and other official information.
- European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO)EPSO’s core mission is to meet the EU institutions’ recruitment needs by selecting talented candidates through generalist and specialist competitions. In carrying out this goal, EPSO acts as a trusted matchmaker between the EU institutions and high performing professionals and graduates.
- CERT-EU: The Computer Emergency Response Team for the EU institutions, bodies and agenciesAs one of the most mature cyberdefence entities in Europe and a central cybersecurity cog of the EU, we take pride in contributing to the security of the ICT infrastructure of our 80+ constituents by helping them prevent, detect, mitigate and respond to cyberattacks, and by acting as the cybersecurity information exchange and incident response coordination hub for all of them.
- European School of AdministrationThe European School of Administration provides high quality training and learning opportunities for the staff of all EU institutions and agencies.