The European Ombudsman

The European Ombudsman investigates complaints against the institutions and bodies of the European Union (EU). You can complain to the Ombudsman about maladministration in the activities of these institutions and bodies.

The European Ombudsman cannot investigate complaints against national, regional or local administrations in the Member States, even when the complaints are about EU matters. Many of these complaints could be addressed to national or regional ombudsmen or committees on petitions in national or regional parliaments. Contact details for all national and regional ombudsmen and committees on petitions in the EU are available on the European Ombudsman's website: http://www.ombudsman.europa.eu

Who can complain to the Ombudsman?

If you are a citizen of a Member State of the Union or reside in a Member State, you can make a complaint to the European Ombudsman about maladministration in the activities of the EU institutions and bodies. Businesses, associations or other bodies with a registered office in the Union may also complain to the Ombudsman.

What is maladministration?

Maladministration means poor or failed administration. This occurs if an institution fails to act in accordance with the law, fails to respect the principles of good administration, or violates human rights. Some examples are:

administrative irregularities
unfairness
discrimination
abuse of power
failure to reply
refusal of information
unnecessary delay

What are the institutions and bodies of the EU?

The institutions and bodies of the EU include the:

European Parliament
Council of the European Union
European Commission
Court of Justice of the European Communities (except in its judicial role)
European Court of Auditors
European Economic and Social Committee
Committee of the Regions of the European Union
European Investment Bank
European Central Bank
European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO)
European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)
European Police Office (Europol)
Decentralised agencies (such as the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training, the European Environment Agency, the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market, etc.)

Please note that this list is not exhaustive. An overview of the EU institutions and bodies is available on the Europa website: http://www.europa.eu

How to complain

Write to the Ombudsman in any of the Treaty languages setting out clearly who you are, which EU institution or body you are complaining against and the grounds for your complaint.

A complaint must be made within two years of the date when you became aware of the facts on which your complaint is based.
You need not be individually affected by the maladministration.
You must already have contacted the institution or body concerned about the matter, for example by a letter.
The Ombudsman does not deal with matters that are currently before a court or that have already been settled by a court.

The Ombudsman will examine your complaint, and you will be informed of the outcome of his investigation.

A complaint can be made by writing a letter to the European Ombudsman or by using the form enclosed. An electronic version of this complaint form is available on the Ombudsman's website: http://www.ombudsman.europa.eu

Contact Information

Address: 1 Avenue du Président Robert Schuman
B.P. 403 FR-67001 Strasbourg Cedex,France
Tel: +33 (0) 3 88 17 23 13
Fax: +33 (0) 3 88 17 90 62
Website: http://www.ombudsman.europa.eu