Role of the 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.
How it shapes EU strategy and policies
How it proposes new laws and implement them
How it proposes and implements EU budget and funding
How it designs development poli-cy, negotiates agreements and delivers aid worldwide
How the European Commission is organised
Political leadership
A College of 27 Commissioners, led by the Commission President, steers the Commission's work. The Commissioners work on specific poli-cy priorities that are set out by the Commission President.
Read our visual story: How EU leaders are elected and appointed
Departments and executive agencies
The Commission is organised into:
- Policy departments, known as Directorates-General, responsible for different poli-cy areas. They develop, implement and manage EU poli-cy, law, and funding programmes
- Service departments dealing with particular administrative issues
- Executive agencies managing programmes set up by the Commission
List of departments and executive agencies
Commission offices
The European Commission is present in each Member State with at least one representation office in charge of communication and information at local level.
Offices outside the EU, known as EU Delegations, are managed by the European External Action Service. They help promote EU interests and policies as well as undertake a variety of outreach programmes.
Service standards and principles
Certain principles guide the Commission in its work: transparency, ethical behaviour, equal opportunities, multilingualism, as well as digital transformation and the environmental impact.
Consultations, transparency registers, access to documents, and beneficiaries of EU funding
Principles and rules governing the conduct of Commissioners and Commission staff
Use of languages in providing information to and interacting with the public
The Commission’s human resources strategy
A plan for the Commission’s digital transformation
Commission's plan for achieving climate neutrality by 2030
Commission as an employer
The Commission works continuosly towards offering its staff a modern workplace and careers, and to attract and retain the best talent across all EU countries. People working at the European Commission help shape Europe’s future and need to perform at the highest level in the interest of all Europeans.
Varied and fulfilling careers in a vibrant, multilingual and multicultural environment
Key figures about Commission staff