How does an EU law become law?
From Commission proposal to Official Journal, in the fewest possible steps.
By Nina Marchetti · Filed Monday, 27 July 2026 · Last updated 00:25 CET
What happened
The Commission proposes. Parliament and Council each adopt a position. The two negotiate a common text, usually in trilogue. Both formally adopt it. It is published in the Official Journal and member states transpose it.
Why it matters
Knowing the stage a file is at tells you how much can still change. Before trilogue: a lot. After: almost nothing.
The Brussels angle
The ordinary legislative procedure is designed so that no single institution can act alone. That is a feature, and it is also why everything takes eighteen months.
What happens next
Read next: why can the Commission not just pass it?
Explainer Desk Editor · EU 101 and What It Means
Nina MarchettiNina Marchetti edits the Explainer Desk, turning complicated EU announcements into plain English for readers who have never sat through a Commission briefing.
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