If you are in Brussels, come and get hold of one of our handheld media guides which will take you the European Parliament's plenary chamber. This portable guide will accompany you on a one-hour journey through EU democracy from past to present.
Tours take place from Monday to Thursday at 10:00 and 15:00 and on Friday at 10:00. No prior reservations: just come to the visitors' entrance of the Paul-Henri Spaak building. There is a limited capacity for the tour and registration starts around 1 hour before the visit. We welcome families and small groups. The tour is free of charge and available in all 23 official EU languages.
For the moment it is unfortunately not possible for us to organise these tours during plenary sessions (2012: 1.-2.2. / 28.-29.3. / 9.-10.5. / 7.-8.11, 2013: 27.-28.2. / 27.-28.3. / 8.-9.5. / 6.-7.11.). However a limited number of places are available for visitors wishing to sit in on the plenary debates.
No, the visit is free of charge.
No, just come to the visitors' entrance 15 minutes before the start of the tour at 10:00 or 15:00 from Monday to Thursday and at 10:00 on Friday, except during plenary sessions.
A limited number of places are available to attend a parliamentary sitting for one hour. Please note that admission is not guaranteed and depends on availability of places.
To attend an EP plenary sitting (see calendar):
Yes, we have a limited number of wheelchairs available. Please email us or call +32.2.284.4777.
Yes, the European Parliament is accessible to all its visitors, including those with special needs.
Yes, visitors can take photos and videos. No photography or filming is permitted in the chamber during plenary sessions.
All visitors must be at least 14 years old. However the Parlamentarium and the chamber tours for individuals are happy to accommodate family groups.
Yes, your luggage will be scanned and you will have to pass through a metal-detecting gate. The checks are similar to those at airports.
Our individual multimedia guided visit takes about one hour.
Yes, there is a gift shop in the Parlamentarium which is open every day. There are also gift shops in the visitors' areas but these are open only during parliamentary activities.
Yes, vending machines are available on floors 0 and 4.
Please check our travel directions section.
Yes, for coats and luggage. The cloakroom is located in the main visitors' area.
Public transport is strongly recommended, as there are limited parking facilities in the vicinity of the European Parliament.
Is there somewhere I can leave my bicycle? Yes, there is a bicycle stand outside the Parlamentarium, the European Parliament's Visitors' Centre. Please bring your own padlock as we do not supply them.
European Parliament
Visits and Seminars Unit
Paul Henri Spaak Building
Rue Wiertz/Wiertzstraat 60
B-1047 Brussels
Belgium
The multimedia tours are available daily:
Please note that visits are not possible during Brussels plenary sessions, office closing days (30.4./18.5./24.12.-31.12.) and public holidays (1.5./17.5./28.5./15.8./1.11./2.11.).
The Chamber tour entrance can be reached by bus, underground and train. You can also walk to the European district from the city centre. Public transport is strongly recommended as there are limited parking facilities in the vicinity of the European Parliament.
The three main Brussels railway stations - Brussels Midi, Brussels Central and Brussels Nord - are connected to Brussels Luxembourg, which is located 200 metres from the European Parliament.SNCB
The Société des Transports Intercommunaux de Bruxelles (STIB) is the main public transport operator in Brussels. STIB trams, buses and underground trains form one network and you can switch easily from one to another using the same ticket.STIBBus
Buses 27 and 38 run from the city centre to Place Luxembourg
Buses 12 and 21 run from Brussels International Airport to Place Luxembourg
Underground
Lines 1 and 5 to Maelbeek and Schuman (10 minute walk to the Parliament)
Lines 2 and 6 to Trône (7 minute walk to the Parliament).
There are vending machines on floors 0 and 4.
There is a gift shop in the Parlamentarium which is open every day, and one in the visitors' area open only during plenary sessions.
There is a cloakroom at the visitors' entrance.
Remember to bring your identity document (an official ID card, passport or driving license). It will be checked at the entrance. You will not be able to enter Parliament without an identity document. You will be directed through a search point and your bags scanned.
Plenary session calendar (PDF) (33KB)