Article 191 of the Treaty establishing the European Community states that political parties at European level constitute an important factor for integration in the Union and that they contribute to the formation of European consciousness and to expressing the political will of the citizens of the Union. Regulation 2004/2003 defines the rules relating to the status and financing of political parties at European level. This Regulation provides in particular for an annual economic contribution from the European Parliament, in the form of an operating subsidy, to political parties that request it and that respect the conditions established in said Regulation.
A political party at European level is an organization that follows a political program and is made up of parties and individuals from different countries and is therefore represented in several Member States.
Since July 2004, European political parties can receive annual funding from the European Parliament. This financing consists of a subsidy for the operation and can cover up to 85% of the expenses of a party; the remaining 15% must be covered by the party itself from its own resources, such as dues paid by members or donations.
The grant can be used to defray expenses directly related to the objectives set out in the party's political program, such as: meetings and conferences; publications, studies and advertising; administrative, staff and travel expenses, and campaign expenses related to the European elections.
