EU agencies are distinct bodies from the EU institutions – separate legal entities set up to perform specific tasks under EU law.

Type of agencies

Decentralised agencies

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 from both the EU institutions and national authorities. Decentralised agencies are set up for an indefinite period and are located across the EU.

More about decentralised agencies

Agencies under Common Security and Defence Policy

Agencies have been set up to carry out very specific technical, scientific and management tasks within the framework of European Union’s Common Security and Defence Policy.

Executive agencies

Executive agencies are set up for a limited period of time by the European Commission to manage specific tasks related to EU programmes.

EURATOM agencies and bodies

These were created to support the aims of the European Atomic Energy Community Treaty (EURATOM), which are to: coordinate national nuclear research programmes, for peaceful purposes provide knowledge, infrastructure and funding for nuclear energy ensure sufficient and secure supplies of nuclear energy

Other organisations

Other organisations include bodies set up as part of EU programmes and public-private partnerships between the European Commission and the industry.