Brussels and the European Union

Brussels (Belgium) is considered the de facto capital of the European Union, having a long history of hosting a number of principal EU institutions within its European Quarter. The EU has no official capital, but Brussels hosts the official seats of the European Commission, Council of the European Union, and European Council, as well as a seat (officially the second seat) of the European Parliament. In 2013, this presence generated about €250 million (8.3% of the regional GDP) and 121,000 jobs (16.7% of the regional employment). One commonly cited reason for Brussels being regarded as the "capital of the European Union" is its location between France, Germany and the United Kingdom, the three countries whose rivalry played a role in starting the two world wars and whose reconciliation paved the way for European integration.