Political leadership
Under the leadership of its President, the Commission's work is steered by a group of 27 Commissioners, known as 'the College'. Together they take decisions on the Commission's political and strategic direction.
A new College of Commissioners is appointed every 5 years.
Departments and executive agencies
The Commission is organised into policy departments, known as Directorates-General (DGs), which are responsible for different policy areas. DGs develop, implement and manage EU policy, law, and funding programmes. In addition, service departments deal with particular administrative issues. Executive agencies manage programmes set up by the Commission.
Commission staff
The Commission's civil service has a tradition going back nearly 70 years. Currently, over 33,000 permanent and contract employees work in the Commission. These include policy officers, researchers, lawyers, translators and many other profiles.
The Commission strives to be a modern, flexible and values-driven organisation that ensures its staff deliver outstanding results for people across the EU.
Learn more about:
Commission offices
Our headquarters
The departments and executive agencies of the Commission are based in Brussels and Luxembourg.
Weekly meetings of the Commissioners take place in the Brussels headquarters and in Strasbourg.
Our offices in EU countries
Representations offices throughout the EU Member States act as the Commission’s voice and monitor public opinion in their host country.
They offer information on the EU and organise thematic events. Some also arrange, visits for schools and organisations and offer their premises for EU related activities. Aside from Representations, various EU agencies have their offices in EU countries.
The Commission also maintains Europe Direct Information Centres
Offices outside the EU
The EU has 139 offices outside the EU, known as EU Delegations. They represent the EU and its citizens around the globe and build networks and partnerships.