What the Council does
A key EU decision-maker
The Council of the European Union (often referred to simply as 'the Council') is a key EU decision-maker. The Council of the EU is where ministers of the 27 EU countries come together to negotiate and adopt EU legislation, coordinate policies and take decisions.
The Council of the EU's main task is EU law-making. The Council, in most cases along with the European Parliament, negotiates and adopts EU laws based on proposals from the European Commission. That's why the Council is also referred to as an EU 'co‑legislator'.
The role of the Council: five main tasks
Negotiating and adopting EU legislation
The ministers of all 27 EU member states come together in the Council to negotiate and then adopt EU legislation. This is their main task in the Council when it acts as EU 'co‑legislator'.
In the Council, the ministers' job is to work together to find EU-level solutions to common problems. This involves a level of flexibility and compromise, as they seek common solutions that deliver benefits for both the EU as a whole and for their respective countries.
Most EU legislative proposals require joint adoption by the two EU co-legislators: the Council of the EU and the European Parliament. As a result, for each proposal there are several lines of negotiations the Council partakes in:
- ministers discuss their views with each other in the Council, reaching a 'general approach' (or Council position)
- then the Council negotiates with the European Parliament and the Commission
When the Council and the Parliament have both agreed on the final text, the legislative act is adopted.
Adopting the EU budget
The Council adopts the EU's annual budget together with the European Parliament.
The budget period covers one calendar year. The budget is usually adopted in November/December and runs from 1 January the following year.
The EU's annual budget is based on the multiannual financial framework (or MFF), a long-term budget which is usually set for seven years.
Coordinating member states' policies
The Council coordinates member states' policies in specific fields, such as economic policy or employment.
In other fields, such as education, culture, youth and sport, which are national competences, the Council adopts EU policy frameworks and work plans which set out the priorities for cooperation between member states and the Commission.
Developing the EU's common foreign and security policy
The Council defines and implements EU common foreign and security policy on the basis of guidelines set by the European Council. This includes EU development and humanitarian aid, defence and trade.
Together with the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Council ensures the unity, consistency and effectiveness of the EU's external action.
Concluding international agreements
The Council takes the final decision on concluding the EU's international agreements with non-EU countries and international organisations. These are mostly trade agreements.
The Council gives a mandate and negotiating directives to the Commission, which negotiates on behalf of the EU. At the end of the negotiations, the Council votes to sign and conclude the agreement. All international agreements, except for those under foreign and security policy, require the consent of the European Parliament.
See also
How the work in the Council is organised
The Council's role in EU decision-making
Council meetings explained
Last review: 23 February 2026