Grundsätze
The NUTS classification is based on 3 principles.
1. NUTS favours administrative divisions
For practical reasons the NUTS classification generally mirrors the territorial administrative division of EU countries. This helps to ensure that data are readily available and policies can be implemented effectively using these divisions.
2. Comparability by population size
Minimum and maximum population amounts are set for each NUTS level.
| Level | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| NUTS 1 | 3 000 000 | 7 000 000 |
| NUTS 2 | 800 000 | 3 000 000 |
| NUTS 3 | 150 000 | 800 000 |
For administrative levels, it is sufficient if the average population size of the corresponding regions lies within the thresholds. For non-administrative levels, each individual region should lie within the thresholds. Exceptions can be allowed for regions with specific geographical, socio-economic, historical, cultural or environmental circumstances.
Although the aim is to ensure regions of comparable size at each NUTS level, each level still contains regions with significant differences in population size.
3. Stability over time
The NUTS classification can be amended but generally not more frequently than every 3 years. The amendments are usually based on changes in the territorial structure of one EU country or more.
If there is a major reorganisation of a country’s administrative structure, amendments may be adopted at intervals of less than 3 years. This has only happened once, in 2014 for Portugal.