The European Council brings together the heads of state or government of the 27 EU countries, its own President and the President of the Commission. It sets the EU's general political direction and priorities, but it does not adopt laws.
- Seat
- Brussels
- Established
- Regular summits since 1974 under the name European Council; full EU institution since the Treaty of Lisbon (2009)
- Members
- 27 heads of state or government, the President of the European Council and the President of the Commission (who does not vote); the High Representative takes part in its work
- Head
- António Costa, President since 1 December 2024
- Legal basis
- Articles 13 and 15 TEU; Articles 235 and 236 TFEU
The European Council is the summit of the EU’s national leaders: presidents or prime ministers, depending on each country’s constitution. Under Article 15 of the Treaty on European Union, it gives the Union “the necessary impetus for its development” and defines its general political directions and priorities. The treaty states explicitly that it has no legislative function: EU laws are adopted by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU, not by the leaders’ summit.
It started as informal summits. At a meeting in Paris in 1974, leaders agreed to meet regularly under the name “European Council”. The Single European Act mentioned it in the treaties for the first time, and the Treaty of Lisbon made it a full EU institution in 2009. It normally meets at least four times a year, and more often since the financial crisis of 2008.
The European Council has a permanent President, elected by the leaders by qualified majority for two and a half years, renewable once. The President chairs the meetings, prepares them with the Commission President and represents the EU abroad on foreign policy at the level of leaders. The President cannot hold a national office at the same time.
Most conclusions are adopted by consensus, meaning no leader objects. Some decisions are taken by qualified majority, such as electing its own President, proposing a candidate for Commission President to the Parliament, and appointing the High Representative and the President of the European Central Bank. Unanimity is required for treaty changes and some defence decisions.
It should not be confused with the Council of the European Union (national ministers who adopt laws) or with the Council of Europe, a separate human rights organisation based in Strasbourg.
Example
At its meeting of 27 June 2024, after the European elections, the European Council elected António Costa, a former Prime Minister of Portugal, as its President, and adopted the EU’s strategic agenda for 2024-2029. Costa took office on 1 December 2024. His current term runs until 31 May 2027.
Debates and limits
Because the European Council usually works by consensus, and many sensitive areas require unanimity, a single government can delay or block a decision. The treaties include “passerelle” clauses that allow a switch from unanimity to qualified majority, but using the general clause (Article 48(7) TEU) itself requires a unanimous decision of the European Council, and any national parliament can block it within six months. Supporters of unanimity see it as a guarantee of national sovereignty; those who favour more majority voting argue that it slows the Union down.