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- European Commission
- About the European Commission
About the European Commission
The European Commission is the EU's executive body. It represents the interests of the European Union as a whole (not the interests of individual countries).
The term 'Commission' refers to both the College of Commissioners and to the institution itself.
- What we do
- 1 President, 7 Vice-Presidents and 20 Commissioners
- Regular and emergency meetings
- Directorates-General and agencies
- Documents, statistics and surveys
- An eco-friendly Commission (EMAS)
- Come and work with us
- Contact us
What we do
The Commission's main roles are to:
- propose legislation which is then adopted by the co-legislators, the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers
- enforce European law (where necessary with the help of the Court of Justice of the EU)
- set a objectives and priorities for action, outlined yearly in the Commission Work Programme and work towards delivering them
- manage and implement EU policies and the budget
- represent the Union outside Europe (negotiating trade agreements between the EU and other countries, for example.).
The European Commission has its headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, and some services also in Luxembourg. The Commission has Representations in all EU Member States and 139 Delegations across the globe.
1 President, 7 Vice-Presidents and 20 Commissioners
A new team of 28 Commissioners (one from each EU Member State) is appointed every five years.
The candidate for President of the Commission is proposed to the European Parliament by the European Council that decides by qualified majority and taking into account the elections to the European Parliament.
The Commission President is then elected by the European Parliament by a majority of its component members (which corresponds to at least 376 out of 751 votes).
Following this election, the President-elect selects the 27 other members of the Commission, on the basis of the suggestions made by Member States. The final list of Commissioners-designate has then to be agreed between the President-elect and the Council. The Commission as a whole needs the Parliament's consent. Prior to this, Commissioners-designate are assessed by the European Parliament committees.
The current Commission's term of office runs until 31 October 2019. Its President is Jean-Claude Juncker.
More on how the Commissioners work
Regular and emergency meetings
The Commissioners meet as a College once a week, usually on Wednesday, in Brussels. The College agendas are determined by the President.
When the Parliament holds its plenary sessions in Strasbourg, the Commissioners usually meet there. The agenda for each meeting is based on the Commission's work programme. The meetings and debates are not open to the public, but the agendas and minutes are available.
The Commission also meets when emergencies need to be addressed and when major issues are being discussed by the Council of Ministers.
Directorates-General and agencies
There are 23 000 staff members working in the Commission in departments, known as Directorates-General (DGs) or services, each responsible for a particular policy area and headed by a Director-General.
The DGs draft laws, but their proposals become official only once the College of Commissioners adopts them during its weekly meeting.
The DGs also manage funding initiatives at EU level, carry out public consultations and communication activities.
The Commission also administers a number of executive agencies, which help the European Commission manage EU programmes.
Documents, statistics and surveys
Access to documents
Registers of documents from the Commission and other institutions, as well as archives, registers of comitology (committees of national representatives), expert groups and more.
Green Papers
Discussion documents to stimulate debate and consultations
White Papers
Concrete Commission proposals for EU action
Eurostat
Official EU statistics
Eurobarometer surveys
Public opinion polls on EU issues
An eco-friendly Commission (EMAS)
The Commission sets an example by reducing the environmental impact of its own activities through EMAS. This includes using natural resources efficiently, reducing overall CO2 emissions, preventing waste, ensuring recycling and re-use, green public procurement, and sustainable mobility.
Come and work with us
EPSO – European Personnel Selection Office
Take part in a recruitment competition to qualify for jobs at the Commission
Traineeships at the Commission
Information on how to apply for a five-month paid traineeship
Management and advisory functions
Contact us
EU "Who is who" directory
Contains all staff of the Commission and also covers all EU institutions. Available in all official languages.
Contact guide by Commission activity
Contact the European Commission departments (DGs).
