What is Lobbying?

According to the European Union, lobbying refers to activities carried out with the objective of influencing the formulation or implementation of policy and decision-making processes within the EU institutions.

These activities are conducted by a wide range of stakeholders — including companies, NGOs, trade associations, think tanks, and legal firms — who engage in dialogue with EU policymakers to present their interests, expertise, or concerns. The EU views lobbying as a legitimate and essential part of a democratic system, provided it is conducted transparently and ethically.

The EU Transparency Register was created to provide public oversight of such activities and ensure that interactions between interest representatives and EU institutions are open and accountable.

The Register aims to ensure that lobbying is conducted with integrity, by disclosing who is involved, on whose behalf, and with what budget and goals.

Visit the EU Transparency Register for more information.