The presidency of the Council rotates among the EU member states every 6 months. During this 6-month period, the presidency chairs meetings at every level in the Council, helping to ensure the continuity of the EU's work in the Council. Member states holding the presidency work together closely in groups of three, called 'trios'. This system was introduced by the Lisbon Treaty in 2009. The trio sets long-term goals and prepares a common agenda determining the topics and major issues that will be addressed by the Council over an 18-month period. On the basis of this programme, each of the three countries prepares its own more detailed 6-month programme.

Swedish presidency of the Council of the EU 2023

Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union
1 January – 30 June 2023.

During the first half of 2023, Sweden holds the presidency of the Council of the EU. Sweden has identified four priorities for the work under its third presidency of the Council:

  • Security and unity.
  • Competitiveness.
  • Green and energy transition.
  • Democratic values and the rule of law.

The Swedish presidency will prioritise continued economic and military support for Ukraine, as well as support for Ukraine's path towards the EU. It will devote its attention to European competitiveness, reducing risks of volatile energy prices and energy market reform, the green transition and the upholding of the rule of law.

Swedish presidency's website

Swedish presidency's programme

Czech presidency of the Council of the EU:
1 July – 31 December 2022

During its second presidency of the Council of the EU, the Czech Republic focused on five closely linked priority areas:

  • managing the „refugee crisis“ and Ukraine’s post-war recovery
  • energy security
  • strengthening Europe’s defence capabilities and cyberspace security
  • strategic resilience of the European economy
  • resilience of democratic institutions

Czech Presidency website

Programm of the Presidency

Calendar of meetings and events under the Czech Presidency

French presidency of the Council of the EU: 1 January – 30 June 2022

The priorities of France's presidency were reflected in its motto 'Recovery, strength and a sense of belonging':

  • recovery, to enable Europe to support the ecological and digital transitions
  • strength, to defend and promote european values and interests
  • a sense of belonging, to build and develop a shared European vision through culture, european values and common history

French presidency website

Programme of the Presidency

Priorities of the French presidency

Portugal's presidency of the Council of the European Union

From 01 January to 30 June 2021.

German's presidency of the Council of the European Union

from 1 July to 31 December 2020.

The priorities of Germany's presidency were driven by its motto: “Together for Europe’s recovery”.

The presidency programme focused on six main areas:

– overcoming the consequences of the coronavirus crisis for the long-term as well as economic and social recovery

– a stronger and more innovative Europe

– a fair Europe

– a sustainable Europe

– a Europe of security and common values

– a strong Europe in the world

The German presidency of the Council of the EU focused directly on overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic. Fighting the spread of the virus, supporting the European economy to recover and reinforcing social cohesion in Europe. In order to achieve this, Germany was committed to joint approved action, European solidarity and common values.​

Croatia's presidency of the Council of the European Union

from 1 January to 30 June 2020.

The priorities of Croatia's presidency were driven by its motto: “A strong Europe in a world of challenges”.
The presidency programme focused on four main areas:
- a Europe that develops
- a Europe that connects
- a Europe that protects
- an influential Europe.

This was Croatia's first presidency of the Council since it joined the EU in 2013.
Croatian presidency website

Romanian presidency of the Council of the European Union

from 1 January to 30 June 2019.

The priorities of the Romanian Presidency were driven by this motto: cohesion, a common European value, understood as unity, equal treatment and convergence.
The presidency programme focused on four main priorities: Europe of convergence, a safer Europe, Europe as a strong global actor and Europe of common values.

It was the first time that Romania held the Council rotating presidency.
The Romanian Presidency website

Logo der Ratspräsidentschaft von Österreich
Picture: Bundeskanzleramt Österreich

Austrian presidency of the Council of the European Union

from 1 July to 31 December 2018.

The presidency programme placed a focus on asylum and migration issues, on protecting external borders, on fighting radicalisation, terrorism and organised crime, on digital security, and on protecting European values.
The Austrian Presidency Website


Picture: Europäische Kommission

Bulgaria held the EU Council Presidency

from January to July 2018.

This was Bulgaria's first time to hold the rotating presidency. The Bulgarian government identified four over-arching priorities for its presidency:

  • The future of Europe and young people
  • Western Balkans
  • Security and stability
  • Digital economy

The Bulgarian Presidency Website

Logo estnische Ratspraesidentschaft
Picture: Europäische Kommission

The Estonian presidency of the Council of the EU: 1 July to 31 December 2017

The priorities of the Estonian presidency built on the European Council's strategic agenda and common goals formulated by the member states and the EU institutions in the Rome declaration on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Rome Treaties. The Estonian presidency focused on preserving the common values of prosperity, security, peace and stability in Europe. It sought to maintain Europe's unity through practical decisions.

During the next 6 months, the presidency focused on four key areas: an open and innovative European economy, a safe and secure Europe, digital Europe and free movement of data as well as an inclusive and sustainable Europe.

The Estonian Presidency website

Website of the Council of the EU

Logo niedreländische Ratspraesidentschaft
Picture: Europäische Kommission

The Netherlands EU Presidency 2016

From 1 January to 30 June 2016. The Netherlands Presidency work programme focused on four key areas: migration and international security, sound finances and a robust eurozone, Europe as an innovator and job creator and forward-looking climate and energy policy.

The Netherlands Presidency website

Picture: Europäische Kommission

Luxembourg Presidency of the Council of the European Union

For the twelfth time since 1958, Luxembourg held the Presidency of the Council from 1 July to 31 December 2015.

Programme and priorities

Website of the Luxembourg Presidency

Website of the Council of the EU

Picture: Europäische Kommission

Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union

From 1 January to 30 June 2015.

The Latvian Presidency focused on three overarching priorities: Competitive Europe, Digital Europe and Engaged Europe.

Logo italienische Ratspraesidentschaft
Picture: Europäische Kommission

Italian Presidency of the Council of the European Union

From 1 July to 31 December 2014.

Priorities of the Italian Presidency: Growth and employment, a space for freedom and security, full exercise of citizenship rights and a stronger role of Europe in the world.