Visit us
The Council has reopened its doors to visitors!
Please rest assured that sanitary precautions are taken, in line with rules in place in Belgium, for all visits in our premises.
We look forward to welcoming you again in the House of the Member States.
What we offer
Step inside the Council, discover the buildings where EU leaders meet and learn how the Council shapes Europe's future.
To visit the Council, you can:
- explore our Visitors' Centre and the public areas of the Council on your own
- request a tailor-made visitors programme for groups of 20 or more participants.
Not travelling soon? You can still book a virtual information session with one of our experts.
Find out about the Council's work in our Visitors' Centre
About the Visitors' Centre
The Visitors' Centre offers an immersive multimedia experience. You will be able to learn about the Council's work and the EU.
The Visitors' Centre is open from Monday to Friday (see opening hours below)
- Visits take about 60 minutes to complete
- Content available in all 24 official EU languages
- Suitable for everyone over the age of 15
- Free admission
You need to register in advance to visit the Visitors' Centre:
The Council at a glance - a video presentation
Weekly guided tours
Join us for an expert-led guided tour of the Council. You will get a chance to see the inner workings of the Council, including the Europa building and its architecturally acclaimed lantern-shaped space.
Guided tours take place every Friday morning at 8:00. This early timing ensures that visitors can see the essential parts of the Europa building, which are closed to visitors the rest of the day.
- Tours last one hour approximately
- Languages spoken: French and English
- Suitable for everyone over the age of 15
- Free admission
Opening hours
Monday to Friday: 10:30 – 16:00 (10:30 – 13:00 in August)
The Visitors' Centre is closed:
- on certain Belgian public holidays
- on holidays of the EU institutions
Getting there
The Visitors' Centre is in the Justus Lipsius building.
Security and accessibility
Each visitor must bring a valid passport or national ID card to enter our premises. We will not accept other types of personal identification.
The Council buildings are accessible to people with reduced mobility.
Cancellation
We may be forced to cancel visits that have already been confirmed, even at short notice, in exceptional circumstances resulting from political developments or last-minute Council meetings.
Visit the #EUCouncilExpo
The Council hosts a mobile expo on the role of the Council and the Presidency, which travels to each EU presidency country.
The expo is currently in Prague until December 2022 to mark the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU.
Curious about how the Council works? Come visit us in Prague, in front of the National Library of Technology!
How can I visit member states' representations in Brussels?
As we are the house of EU member states, we work closely with member states' permanent representations to the EU. We suggest you combine your visit to the Council with a visit to a member state's permanent representation.
How can I visit the other EU institutions?
European Parliament
The European Parliament is based in Brussels, Strasbourg and Luxembourg. Each location offers a range of activities for visitors, which cater for different age groups and interests. Visitors can see how the European Parliament works, how it developed and the role that it plays. See the European Parliament's website for information.
European Commission
The European Commission visitors' centre welcomes visitor groups (minimum 15). It gives presentations and hosts discussions on the European Commission's role as the EU's political executive. Visits should be booked at least 10 weeks in advance and can be adapted to suit interests and age groups.
European Committee of the Regions
The European Committee of the Regions offers engaging presentations to visitor groups (minimum 15 persons, older than 14 years) on the role of Europe's regions and cities in shaping European Union legislation. Visits should be booked at least 8 weeks in advance.
European Economic and Social Committee
Visit the house of organised civil society for an interactive talk. Discover its three groups — representing employers (group I), workers (group II) and diversity (group III) — and how their rights are heard in the European Union.
Data protection
Complaints procedure
We strive to offer highest standards of service. You have the right to lodge a complaint with the European Ombudsman if you consider that the Council service you have been in contact with has not delivered a high standard of service.
However, before the Ombudsman can accept a complaint, you should first raise your concerns with the service that dealt with your initial request. We will endeavour to remedy the cause of your dissatisfaction, where possible and as appropriate.
Europa: the beating heart of Europe
Circles, ellipses and squares; a lantern within a cube; a blend of old and new… The Europa building unites form and function and has become a political and architectural icon since it opened for work in 2017.
Join us on a fascinating tour of this landmark building.
