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Europe

Luxembourg as a part of the European Union

Luxembourg’s connection to the European Union is broad and fascinating. If you’re curious about how the Grand Duchy contributes to one of the world’s most powerful political and economic unions, you’re in the right place.

Last time updated
10.10.24

Luxembourg is not only a member of the European Union but also an active participant in several other major international organizations, including NATO, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the United Nations, and the Benelux Union.

Is Luxembourg a member of the European Union?

Given the question of whether Luxembourg is in the European Union, the answer is simple: yes. Luxembourg is a member of the European Union. But not only that Luxembourg is also one of its founding members and even before the EU came into existence Luxembourg was a part of several important European associations, such as the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM), and the European Economic Community (EEC). 

These early collaborations were the building blocks that paved the way for what would eventually become the European Union. In the following section, we will retrace the history and take a closer look at how the Grand Duchy became part of the European Union.

History of Luxembourg membership in Union

The creation of the European Union (EU) was the result of a long process of economic and political cooperation in post-World War II Europe, to prevent future conflicts and foster peace and prosperity. Luxembourg has been an essential part of this journey from the very beginning.

Post-World War II context (1945)
The Schuman Declaration (1950)
European Coal and Steel Community (1951)
Treaties of Rome (1957)
The Schengen Agreement (1985)
The Single European Act (1986)
The Maastricht Treaty (1992-1993)
The Euro and Economic Integration (1999-2002)
The Lisbon Treaty (2009)
Ongoing expansions

Despite its small size, Luxembourg has been an influential player in every phase of EU integration, consistently promoting peace, cooperation, and economic growth in Europe.

Luxembourg’s role in the European Union

Despite being one of the smallest countries in the European Union, Luxembourg has played a leading role in its development and day-to-day functioning. The Grand Duchy has made notable contributions in several important areas, such as economics, politics and governance.

Economic contributions
The Grand Duchy is an important global financial center and one of the main investment and banking hubs in Europe, which enables it to generate a solid economic base.  The financial contribution of each member state to the EU budget is calculated on an equitable basis. The larger a country's economy, the larger its contribution, and vice versa. Luxembourg, having a very large economy, has had a very significant economic contribution within the European Union. In addition, its favorable regulatory environment and its ability to attract international capital have been fundamental to the economic growth of the EU.
Political influence
Luxembourg has been an important player in shaping the political landscape of the EU. As a founding member, it has consistently advocated for deeper European integration and cooperation. Luxembourgish politicians have held influential positions within the EU, none more prominent than Jean-Claude Juncker, who served as President of the European Commission from 2014 to 2019. Juncker’s leadership was instrumental in shaping policies related to the Eurozone, migration, and economic governance.
The Council of the European Union
Luxembourg has also been active in the Council of the European Union, which it has presided over several times, most recently in 2015. The Council presidency rotates among EU member states, and during its leadership terms, Luxembourg has played a pivotal role in facilitating major negotiations on various pressing issues. During the 2015 presidency, Luxembourg led discussions on the migration crisis, one of the most challenging issues for the EU at the time. It also led efforts to enhance economic governance, including reforms aimed at strengthening the EU’s financial system. Luxembourg’s presidency was also notable for promoting reforms related to European tax policies, advocating for greater transparency and cooperation among member states.
Representation in the European Parliament
Luxembourg holds six seats in the European Parliament, a relatively small number compared to larger countries, but its representatives have nonetheless been active in shaping EU legislation. Luxembourgish MEPs have consistently pushed for policies that promote European unity, support human rights, and enhance the functioning of the EU’s single market.
Hosting EU institutions
Luxembourg is home to several important EU institutions, further cementing its integral role in the functioning of the Union. The most notable of these is the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) but it is also home to several others. In the next section we will elaborate on this point.
Other contributions
Luxembourg’s contributions to the EU extend beyond economics and politics. The country has been a staunch advocate of European integration, consistently pushing for more unified approaches to issues such as environmental policy, social rights, and technological innovation. 
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Which EU institutions are located in Luxembourg?

Luxembourg hosts many institutions of the European Union due to its historical role as one of the founding members of the EU and its strategic location in the heart of Europe. From the very beginning, the distribution of EU institutions across different founding countries was designed to maintain a balance of power and avoid excessive concentration in any one location. 

Below are some of the most important EU institutions based in Luxembourg. For each of them, you can see the date of their establishment along with their main roles and contact details.

Main roles
Interpreting EU law
Resolving disputes between member states and institutions
Reviewing the legality of EU legislative acts
Ensuring the uniform application of EU law across the Union
Rue du Fort Niedergruenewald, Kirchberg Luxembourg
+352 4 30 31
Main roles 
Financing projects in line with EIB priorities
Supporting sustainable growth and job creation
Promoting economic and social cohesion
Offering advisory and technical assistance services
98-100 Boulevard Konrad Adenauer, Kirchberg-Plateau Luxemburg
+352 4 37 91
Main roles
Publishing the Official Journal of the EU
Ensuring legislative transparency
Disseminating official EU information
Providing public access to official documents
20 Rue de Reims, Gare Luxembourg
+352 2 92 91 
Main roles
Coordinating European Parliament plenary sessions
Body 3 line max
Supporting MEPs in their legislative work
Body 3 line max
Managing the administrative services of the Parliament
Body 3 line max
Facilitating interactions between EU institutions
Body 3 line max
17 Av. John F. Kennedy, Kirchberg Luxembourg
+352 4 30 01
Main roles
Auditing the EU budget
Ensuring legality and regularity of spending
Reporting on the financial management of EU institutions
Promoting financial accountability and transparency
12 Rue Alcide de Gasperi, Kirchberg Luxembourg
+352 4 39 81

Luxembourg’s relationship with the European Union

Luxembourg has played several central roles and made significant contributions to the European Union since its inception. The Grand Duchy has been a powerful advocate for deeper European integration and has consistently supported the EU’s political and economic unity. Below are some of Luxembourg’s key contributions and roles within the EU:

Founding member

Luxembourg was one of the six founding members of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) in 1951, which laid the foundation for what would later become the European Union. By joining forces with France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands, Luxembourg helped establish the principles of cooperation and shared sovereignty that have driven European integration for decades.

Advocate for European integration

Throughout its membership, Luxembourg has been a steadfast supporter of European integration. It has consistently promoted cooperation among member states and backed greater political and economic unity within the Union. 

Home to key European institutions

As discussed in the previous section, Luxembourg hosts several critical EU institutions. These institutions are vital to the functioning and governance of the EU, and Luxembourg’s role as its host underscores its central position within the Union.

Rotating presidencies

Luxembourg has held the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union on several occasions, most recently in 2015. During these presidencies, Luxembourg has led discussions and negotiations on major EU issues. 

Economic and fiscal policies

Luxembourg has also been an important player in promoting economic and fiscal reforms within the EU. In response to concerns about tax evasion and financial transparency in 2015, Luxembourg supported measures aimed at improving transparency in financial management across the EU. It has also been a strong proponent of further economic and monetary integration within the Eurozone, advocating for the creation of robust financial supervision mechanisms to ensure economic stability across the EU.

As a founding member, Luxembourg has been at the vanguard of European integration from the very beginning, defending cooperation, peace and unity among member states. In addition, its role as the seat of several EU institutions and the many contributions it has made to the European Union, which we have seen throughout the article, clearly shows its importance within the Union.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What role did Luxembourg play in the founding of the European Union?

How many seats does Luxembourg have in the European Parliament?

How does Luxembourg benefit from its membership in the European Union?

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