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Types of institutions and bodies

Set-up and location

The European Union’s institutional set-up is unique and its decision-making system is constantly evolving. The 7 European institutions, 7 EU bodies and over 30 decentralised agencies are spread across the EU. They work together to address the common interests of the EU and European people. 

In terms of administration, there are a further 20 EU agencies and organisations which carry out specific legal functions and 4 interinstitutional services which support the institutions.

All of these establishments have specific roles – from developing EU laws and policy-making to implementing policies and working on specialist areas, such as health, medicine, transport and the environment.

There are 4 main decision-making institutions which lead the EU’s administration. These institutions collectively provide the EU with policy direction and play different roles in the law-making process: 

  • the European Parliament (Brussels/Strasbourg/Luxembourg)
  • the European Council (Brussels)
  • the Council of the European Union (Brussels/Luxembourg)
  • the European Commission (Brussels/Luxembourg/Representations across the EU) 

Their work is complemented by other institutions and bodies, which include:

  • the Court of Justice of the European Union (Luxembourg)
  • the European Central Bank (Frankfurt)
  • the European Court of Auditors (Luxembourg)

 

The EU institutions and bodies cooperate extensively with the network of EU agencies and organisations across the European Union. The primary function of these bodies and agencies is to translate policies into realities on the ground.

Around 60,000 EU civil servants and other staff serve the 450 million Europeans (and countless others around the world). This is actually a relatively small number - the French Finance Ministry has around 140,000 staff for a population of only 67 million.

Key facts and figures

Institutions

The powers, responsibilities and procedures of the EU’s institutions are laid down in the founding treaties of the EU: the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (1957) and the Treaty on European Union (1992). More recently, the Lisbon Treaty (2007) introduced certain amendments and additions to their competencies.  

The 4 main EU institutions, with their distinct functions, work together closely to set the EU’s agenda and initiate and coordinate EU law-making. 

In general, the European Council does not make laws. However, it can agree on changes in the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU. Its main role is to determine the EU’s political direction. In most cases, the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission produce the policies and laws that apply throughout the EU. The process they follow is called the Ordinary Legislative Procedure.

In principle, the Commission proposes new laws, and the Parliament and Council of the European Union adopt them. The member countries then implement them, and the Commission ensures that the laws are properly applied.

Bodies

In addition to the institutions, there are a number of bodies which play specialised roles in helping the EU to fulfil its tasks. Some bodies have the task of advising the institutions (the European Economic and Social Committee, the European Committee of the Regions); others ensure that the institutions comply with EU rules and procedures (the European Ombudsman, the European Data Protection Supervisor). The European External Action Service is an external policy body that supports the EU on foreign affairs matters.

Interinstitutional services

The EU institutions created 4 interinstitutional services to serve and support the work of the EU institutions, as well as its agencies and bodies. They each have specific remits, which cover the essential requirements of the EU institutions, such as recruitment, staff learning and development, IT and publishing. The Publications Office was established in 1969, whereas the other offices were set up more recently – the European Personnel Selection Office in 2003, the European School of Administration in 2005 and the Computer Emergency Response Team in 2012.

Decentralised agencies

There are currently over 30 decentralised agencies. They have their own legal personalities, are set up for an indefinite period and are distinct from the EU institutions. 

Decentralised agencies contribute to the implementation of EU policies. They also support cooperation between the EU and national governments by pooling technical and specialist expertise and knowledge from both the EU institutions and national authorities.

Decentralised agencies are spread across Europe and work on issues affecting the everyday lives of nearly 450 million people living in the EU. Examples include food, medicine, justice, transport safety, drug addiction and the environment.

For example:

The European Medicines Agency is a decentralised agency, located in Amsterdam. Established in 1995, it works on ensuring the efficacy and safety of human and veterinary medicines across Europe. It also promotes research and innovation in the development of medicines. It has contributed significantly to the development of children’s medicines, remedies for rare diseases, advanced therapies, and herbal and veterinary medicines. It also has a role to play in tackling such public health challenges as AIDS, cancer, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes. 

See all decentralised agencies
See the European Medicines Agency’s work on viral diseases

1 FEBRUARY 2022
Joint statement of the European Parliament, the Council of the EU and the European Commission on decentralised agencies
English
(1.09 MB - PDF)
Download

 

Common foreign and security policy

The EU has set up 3 agencies to carry out very clearly defined technical, scientific and management tasks. The trio’s overarching mission is to help the EU and its member countries to implement the common foreign and security policy, including the common security and defence policy, and other aspects of EU external action.

The Defence Agency supports the development of defence capabilities and military cooperation between EU countries. It stimulates defence research and technology, strengthens the European defence industry and acts as a military interface on EU policies.

The Institute analyses foreign, security and defence policy issues. It provides analysis, organises discussion forums to help formulate EU policy, and contributes to debates on security strategy in and outside Europe.

The Satellite Centre provides geospatial intelligence products and services, primarily by analysing data from Earth observation satellites. It provides decision makers with early warnings of potential crises to enable diplomatic, economic and humanitarian measures to be taken in good time.

Executive agencies

The European Commission has set up 6 executive agencies for a limited period of time to manage specific tasks associated with EU programmes. These executive agencies, which are legal entities, work on Commission initiatives ranging from health and education to innovation and research.

For example:

The European Commission established the European Innovation Council and SME Executive Agency (EISMEA) to develop and implement the European Innovation Council that identifies and supports breakthrough technologies and innovations. The Agency is also responsible for managing EU programmes in SME support, innovation ecosystems, single market, consumer policy and interregional innovation investments. It makes sure that work funded by these programmes delivers results and provides the Commission with valuable input for its policy tasks.

See all executive agencies

Euratom agencies and bodies

There are 2 Euratom agencies and bodies which were set up to support the aims of the European Atomic Energy Community Treaty (EURATOM, 1957). The aims of the Treaty are: to coordinate national nuclear research programmes for peaceful purposes; to provide knowledge, infrastructure and funding for nuclear energy; and to ensure sufficient and secure supplies of nuclear energy.

The agency ensures a regular and equitable supply of nuclear fuels to EU users. It enhances the security of supply to users in the European Union.

The joint undertaking manages the EU’s contribution to the ITER (originally, the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) project, designed to demonstrate the scientific and technological feasibility of fusion power, and cooperates with Japan on fusion research and development projects.