The executive arm and an institution of the European Union.

The European Commission is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions and upholding the EU Treaties.

It operates as a cabinet government, with a Commissioner for each EU member state. The Commission is headed by the Commission President (Ursula von der Leyen since 1 December 2019).

The Commission President is selected by the European Council and then elected by the European Parliament.

The Council then appoints the remaining Commissioners in agreement with the nominated President from candidates put forward by member states. After a series of hearings by the European Parliament, the College of Commissioners as a whole is subject to a vote of approval by the European Parliament.

The person holding the new post of High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy automatically becomes a Vice-President of the Commission.

The Commission comprises several departments or Directorates-General (often known as "DGs") and services usually headed by a Commissioner.

For further information, see Practice notes: