The European Union is preparing a major overhaul of its main institutional headquarters in Brussels—the Council and the Parliament—at a combined cost that could exceed €1.5 billion. The projects, still in various stages of planning, come at a time when member states are engaged in intense debate over the next multiannual financial framework, with several governments, including Germany and the Netherlands, strongly opposing any increase in EU spending.
According to internal documents, the Council of the EU plans to invest around €803 million in renovating the Justus Lipsius building—its historic headquarters, inaugurated in 1995 and now considered one of the least energy-efficient buildings in the European Quarter. Including loan interest and other financial costs, the total price tag could exceed €1.1 billion.
The plan, expected to unfold over a decade, aims to transform the building into one “aligned with contemporary energy and security standards,” according to internal notes. The institution justifies the project on both sustainability grounds—citing the building’s poor insulation—and security concerns, referencing the need for enhanced “explosion protection” in light of rising threats since the 1990s.
The renovation would consolidate the Council’s operations into just two buildings: a fully revamped Justus Lipsius and the Europa building, inaugurated in 2017 and currently hosting summits of heads of state and government. A third site, the LEX building, would be sold, potentially recouping about €65 million. However, the financing model is still undecided. The Council is weighing either an increase in its own budget, a long-term loan, or a combination of both—options that would imply future spending hikes and repayment commitments.
The work would proceed in phases: following technical studies and permit requests from Brussels authorities, the renovation would begin in 2029 and continue through 2035. Full reopening is expected in 2036, barring delays.
Parliament follows suit
Almost in parallel, the European Parliament is moving forward with its own modernization plan. Its main building in Brussels, the Paul-Henri Spaak, was evacuated in 2022 due to structural issues, and since then, MEPs have been working from temporary offices. The Parliament is allocating around €500 million to rebuild the facility from scratch, with completion targeted for around 2030.
The new headquarters is intended to be a symbol of energy efficiency and transparency, but it, too, has drawn similar criticism: although the project was approved years ago, its execution now coincides with the current budget crisis, driven by inflationary pressure, the need to fund European defense, and the maintenance of social and cohesion programs—not to mention the planned enlargement to include nine new countries, including war-torn Ukraine.
The political context appears far from ideal for such investments. While the European Commission calls for spending cuts and national governments demand restraint, EU institutions are planning real estate projects that could add up to more than €1.5 billion in combined spending over the next decade.
While some warn that the timing could be politically damaging, others argue that the high energy and maintenance costs of current buildings could justify the investment over the long term.
Still, the political signal is risky. At a time of growing Euroscepticism and public mistrust toward Brussels, these multi-billion-euro renovations may reinforce perceptions of an institutional bubble disconnected from the priorities of European citizens.
