EU Jargon Glossary

Bilateral talks between the EU and a candidate country to examine how the candidate will adopt and implement the acquis. Organised into 35 thematic chapters.

The full body of EU law, obligations, rights, and commitments that candidate countries must adopt before joining the EU — comprising over 35 chapters of rules.

A Treaty provision allowing the EU to suspend the voting rights of a member state found to be in serious and persistent breach of EU founding values (democracy, rule of law, human rights).

A framework for EU-level supervision and resolution of banks, covering the Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM) and Single Resolution Mechanism (SRM).

Under QMV, at least 4 member states representing 35% or more of the EU population can block a decision. Used as a political tool to signal opposition.

The phenomenon by which EU regulations become global standards because multinational companies comply with the most stringent rules to access the Single Market.

Committee on Budgets — responsible for the EU's Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the annual EU budget, own resources, and discharge procedures for EU expenditure.

A country officially recognised by the EU as a candidate for membership, having submitted a membership application and received candidate status from the European Council.

An EU initiative to integrate capital markets across member states, making it easier for businesses to raise funds and investors to invest across borders.

A certification mark indicating that a product meets EU safety, health, and environmental standards, allowing it to be sold freely across the Single Market.

EU funds designed to reduce economic disparities between regions and member states, including the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Cohesion Fund.

The system of procedures by which the European Commission exercises its implementing powers, overseen by committees of member state representatives.

An advisory body representing regional and local authorities across the EU. Consulted on legislation that affects regions and cities.

The EU's agricultural support system, providing direct payments to farmers and rural development funding. Historically the largest item in the EU budget.

The uniform import duty applied by all EU member states on goods coming from third countries, a core feature of the EU customs union.

The EU's framework for coordinating foreign policy, security, and defence among member states. Largely intergovernmental and requiring unanimity.

The EU framework for military and civilian crisis management missions outside the EU. Member states contribute forces voluntarily.

A final attempt to reach agreement between Parliament and Council if they still disagree after second reading. Rarely used due to the prevalence of trilogue.

The principle that the EU can only act within the limits of the competences conferred on it by the Treaties. It has no competence unless explicitly granted.

The conditions a country must meet to join the EU: stable democracy and rule of law, a functioning market economy, and the ability to adopt and implement EU law.

The Committee of Permanent Representatives — ambassadors of EU member states to the EU who prepare the Council of the EU's agenda and negotiate texts before ministerial meetings.

Also called the Council of Ministers — represents the governments of EU member states. Jointly legislates with the European Parliament and adopts the EU budget.

The EU's supreme court, which interprets EU law and ensures it is applied equally across all member states. Based in Luxembourg.

An arrangement where EU member states apply the same external tariffs on goods imported from outside the EU and have no internal customs duties between themselves.

A binding EU act addressed to specific recipients — a member state, a company, or an individual — rather than applying generally across the EU.

Non-legislative acts adopted by the Commission to supplement or amend non-essential elements of EU legislation. Parliament and Council can object or revoke the delegation.

A critique that EU decision-making lacks sufficient democratic accountability, as key decisions are made by bodies not directly elected by EU citizens.

The departments of the European Commission, each responsible for a specific policy area (e.g. DG CLIMA for climate, DG TRADE for trade). Headed by a Director-General.

An EU strategy to remove barriers to online activity across the EU, enabling citizens and businesses to access digital goods and services freely across borders.

The principle that certain EU law provisions create rights that individuals can invoke directly before national courts, without needing national implementing legislation.

An EU legal act that sets a goal for member states to achieve by a deadline, but leaves it to each country to decide how to implement it in national law.

The annual process by which the European Parliament approves — or withholds approval of — the Commission's management of the EU budget for a given year.

European Court of Auditors — the EU's independent external auditor, examining whether EU funds are raised and used correctly.

Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs — responsible for EU economic and financial policy, including the eurozone, banking union, capital markets union, taxation, and competition policy.

European External Action Service — the EU's diplomatic service, supporting the High Representative in conducting the EU's foreign and security policy.

A mechanism allowing at least 9 EU member states to move ahead with integration in an area without all members participating. Other states can join later.

The process by which new countries join the EU. Requires formal application, candidate status, accession negotiations, and ratification by all current member states.

Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety — responsible for EU climate, environmental protection, biodiversity, food safety, and public health legislation, including the Green Deal legislative files.

European Parliament — shorthand used in EU institutional correspondence and legal references (e.g. procedure references like '2021/0106(COD)').

The central bank for the eurozone, responsible for monetary policy, price stability, and the euro currency. Based in Frankfurt.

The EU's executive body, responsible for proposing legislation, enforcing EU law, and managing the day-to-day business of the EU. Often called 'the Commission'.

The body of EU heads of state or government that defines the EU's overall political direction and priorities. Distinct from the Council of the EU.

The EU's independent external auditor, checking that EU funds are raised and spent correctly and promoting financial accountability.

An EU funding instrument supporting collaborative defence research and capability development among member states and the European defence industry.

An advisory body representing employers, workers, and civil society organisations. Provides opinions on EU legislation.

The directly elected legislative body of the EU, representing over 450 million citizens. Jointly adopts EU laws and the budget with the Council of the EU.

An annual cycle of economic and fiscal policy coordination between the EU and member states, including country-specific recommendations from the Commission.

Political opposition to or scepticism of EU integration, ranging from criticism of specific policies to calls for withdrawal from the EU.

The monetary union of EU member states that have adopted the euro (€) as their official currency. Currently 20 of 27 EU members.

A mechanism triggered when a member state's deficit exceeds 3% of GDP, requiring corrective action and potentially leading to fines.

In EU context, the idea of deeper political integration toward a more unified federal structure, with greater EU-level powers and a stronger central government.

The initial stage of the legislative procedure where the European Parliament adopts its position. If the Council agrees, the act is adopted. If not, it moves to second reading.

The four fundamental freedoms underpinning the Single Market: free movement of goods, services, capital, and persons (workers and citizens).

Rights protected by the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, including dignity, freedom, equality, solidarity, citizens' rights, and justice. Legally binding since 2009.

A term coined by Commission President von der Leyen to describe a Commission that acts as a geopolitical actor, prioritising foreign policy and strategic interests alongside its traditional regulatory role.

The EU's flagship policy strategy aiming to make Europe climate-neutral by 2050 through sweeping reforms across energy, transport, agriculture, and industry.

The EU's foreign policy chief — officially the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy — who coordinates the EU's external action and chairs foreign affairs councils.

Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection — responsible for the creation and functioning of the Single Market, including consumer rights, product safety, services regulation, and digital markets.

An analysis carried out by the Commission before proposing legislation, evaluating the likely economic, social, and environmental impacts of different policy options.

Acts adopted by the Commission to ensure uniform implementation of EU law across member states, subject to oversight by member state committees.

Legal action taken by the Commission against a member state for failing to comply with EU law. Can result in fines imposed by the CJEU.

An approach to EU cooperation where member states retain control and decisions are made by agreement between governments, rather than by supranational institutions.

Agreements between EU institutions (Commission, Parliament, Council) establishing working arrangements, procedures, or political commitments not set out in the Treaties.

Committee on Industry, Research and Energy — one of the most powerful EP committees, responsible for EU policy on industrial competitiveness, the internal energy market, research and innovation, the Digital Single Market, and space policy.

The Commission holds the exclusive right to formally propose new EU legislation. Parliament and Council can request it does so, but cannot propose laws themselves.

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs — responsible for EU legislation on fundamental rights, data protection, migration and asylum, border management, police cooperation, and the rule of law.

Member of the European Parliament — a directly elected representative serving in the European Parliament. The EU has 720 MEPs following the 2024 elections.

The EU's long-term budget, set for 7-year periods, establishing maximum annual spending across all EU policy areas. Also called the 'EU budget framework'.

The principle that a product or qualification legally marketed or recognised in one EU member state can generally be sold or accepted in all others.

A €750 billion recovery package launched in 2021 to help member states recover from COVID-19, funded by the EU borrowing on capital markets for the first time at scale.

The Official Journal of the European Union — the publication where all EU legislation, agreements, decisions, and notices are formally published and enter into force.

A variation of strategic autonomy that emphasises maintaining open trade and partnerships while building the EU's own resilience and strategic capabilities.

A non-binding statement by an EU institution expressing its view on a matter. Often issued by advisory bodies like the EESC or Committee of the Regions.

The standard EU law-making process requiring agreement between both the European Parliament and the Council of the EU. Formerly known as 'co-decision'.

The EU's sources of revenue: customs duties, a share of VAT revenues from member states, and GNI-based contributions. Debated regularly in MFF negotiations.

A Treaty provision allowing the European Council to authorise the Council to act by QMV in areas that normally require unanimity, without changing the Treaties.

A framework for EU member states who wish to deepen defence cooperation through jointly developing capabilities and undertaking commitments in defence investment.

A foundational principle established by the CJEU: EU law takes precedence over national law where the two conflict. Not explicitly in the Treaties but repeatedly upheld by courts.

EU action must not exceed what is necessary to achieve the objectives of the Treaties. Closely linked to subsidiarity.

Qualified Majority Voting — the standard voting method in the Council, requiring 55% of member states representing 65% of the EU population.

The standard voting method in the Council of the EU for most decisions. Requires 55% of member states (at least 15) representing 65% of the EU population. A blocking minority needs at least 4 member states.

A Member of the European Parliament (MEP) appointed to lead the Parliament's work on a specific legislative file, drafting the committee report and representing Parliament in trilogue.

A non-binding EU act in which an institution suggests a course of action without legally obliging the recipient to follow it.

A binding EU legal act that automatically and uniformly applies in all member states without needing national legislation to implement it.

A mechanism allowing the EU to suspend or reduce payments to member states that breach the rule of law in ways that affect the EU's financial interests.

An annual Commission report assessing the state of the rule of law in each EU member state, covering areas like judicial independence, anti-corruption, and media freedom.

A zone of 29 European countries (including some non-EU members) that have abolished passport and border controls at their mutual borders, allowing free movement.

A second stage of the legislative procedure if Parliament and Council disagree at first reading. Each institution reviews the other's position.

An MEP from a political group other than the rapporteur's group, appointed to monitor progress and negotiate on behalf of their group during the legislative process.

A voting threshold requiring more than half of those voting to agree. Used for procedural decisions in the Council and for some Parliament votes.

Member states and EU institutions must assist each other in carrying out tasks flowing from the Treaties and refrain from any measure that could jeopardise EU objectives.

The EU's unified trading area where goods, services, capital, and people can move freely between member states — also called the 'internal market'.

A state's supreme authority over its territory and laws. In EU debates, frequently refers to tensions between national decision-making and EU-level obligations.

In integration theory, the process by which integration in one policy area creates pressures to integrate in related areas. A core concept in neofunctionalist theory.

Rules requiring EU member states to maintain sound public finances — limiting deficits to 3% of GDP and debt to 60% of GDP. Frequently suspended or reformed.

Financial support given by a government to a company or sector that distorts competition. Mostly prohibited under EU rules unless the Commission approves an exemption.

The EU's ambition to act independently on the world stage — in defence, technology, and supply chains — without relying solely on external partners like the US.

The EU principle that decisions should be made at the most local level possible — the EU acts only when action at national or regional level would be insufficient.

A model of political organisation in which authority is transferred from national governments to a higher-level institution, such as the EU.

Treaty on European Union — one of the two main EU Treaties, establishing the EU's values, objectives, institutional framework, and provisions on foreign policy and enhanced cooperation.

Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union — one of the two main EU Treaties (alongside the Treaty on European Union/TEU), providing the legal basis for most EU policies.

The process by which member states incorporate EU Directives into their national law within a set deadline. Failure to transpose can trigger infringement proceedings.

Informal three-way negotiations between the European Parliament, Council of the EU, and European Commission to agree on legislation before a formal vote. Most EU laws are agreed in trilogue.

A voting rule in the Council requiring all member states to agree. Used for sensitive areas like taxation, foreign policy, and constitutional matters.