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European Ombudsman Complaints: UK Guide 2025

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Part ofComplain to an Ombudsman UK

Written by Brad Askew Solicitor (non-practising)
Brad is on the roll of solicitors of England & Wales but does not hold a practising certificate and does not provide legal advice.
Updated June 2026 · England & Wales
Even after Brexit, the European Ombudsman remains relevant to people and organisations in the UK who still have dealings with EU institutions. That might be a researcher whose grant application was mishandled, a business navigating an EU agency's decision, or a citizen who has not had a reply to correspondence from Brussels. This guide, written from a UK perspective, walks through what the Ombudsman actually does, who can bring a complaint, what counts as maladministration, and how the process works in practice. It also sets out the time limits to watch, what the Ombudsman can and cannot do about a finding, and where to look if your concern really belongs elsewhere. If your situation involves a UK public body rather than an EU one, I have flagged that too, so you do not waste time pointing at the wrong door.

Overview

The European Ombudsman is an independent office based in Strasbourg that looks into complaints of maladministration by the institutions, bodies, offices and agencies of the European Union. That includes the European Commission, the Council, the European Parliament's administration, EU agencies, and bodies such as the European Personnel Selection Office.

The role was established under the EU Treaties and the Ombudsman is elected by the European Parliament. Crucially, the Ombudsman does not investigate national governments, national courts, or UK public bodies. So a complaint about HMRC, a UK council, or an English court would not be something this office can take on.

The Ombudsman's powers are persuasive rather than coercive: it can make findings, issue recommendations, and publish reports, but it cannot overturn an EU institution's decision or award compensation. In practice, though, EU bodies often accept recommendations because of the reputational weight the office carries.

Key steps

  1. Check the body you are complaining about. The Ombudsman can only look at EU institutions, agencies and bodies. If your issue is with a UK authority, a national court, or a private company, you will need a different route such as the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman or the relevant sector regulator.
  2. Raise it with the EU institution first. Before approaching the Ombudsman, you are normally expected to have contacted the EU body directly to try to resolve the problem. Keep copies of what you sent, the date you sent it, and any reply or lack of reply you received, because you will need to reference this.
  3. Prepare your complaint within the time limit. A complaint must generally be submitted within two years of becoming aware of the facts you are complaining about. Set out clearly what happened, which institution is involved, why you think it amounts to maladministration, and what outcome you are seeking.
  4. Submit the complaint to the Ombudsman. Complaints can be made online through the Ombudsman's complaint form, by post, or by email. You can write in any of the official EU languages, including English. The office will acknowledge receipt and decide whether the complaint falls within its remit.
  5. Engage with the investigation. If the complaint is accepted, the Ombudsman will usually ask the EU institution for its position and may request documents or further information from you. The process is free of charge. You may be invited to comment on the institution's reply before the Ombudsman reaches a conclusion and publishes its findings.

Common questions

If you're dealing with this kind of situation, a call with an experienced legal adviser can help you work out the right next step — from £89.

Common questions

Q Can UK citizens still complain to the European Ombudsman after Brexit?
Yes, in many cases. The Ombudsman's jurisdiction is defined by the body complained about, not the nationality of the complainant. If you are affected by the actions of an EU institution, such as an EU agency handling a licensing matter or a grant decision, you can still bring a complaint. What changed after Brexit is that UK nationals living in the UK are no longer EU citizens, but the complaints mechanism itself remains open to them where an EU body is involved.
Q What counts as maladministration?
Maladministration covers poor or unlawful administrative behaviour by an EU body. Common examples include refusing to respond to correspondence, unreasonable delay, unfair treatment, discrimination, abuse of power, lack of transparency, or failing to follow the institution's own procedures. It is not about disagreeing with a policy choice made by the EU, but about how an institution has behaved in a specific administrative matter.
Q Is there a fee to complain?
No. Submitting a complaint to the European Ombudsman is free of charge, and you do not need a lawyer to do so. You can write the complaint yourself in any official EU language. If you want someone to help you think through whether your situation is suitable for an Ombudsman complaint, a short call with an experienced legal adviser can be useful before you commit time to drafting it.
Q How long does an investigation take?
It varies. Straightforward matters can be closed within a few months, while more complex investigations involving multiple institutions or extensive document review can take considerably longer. The Ombudsman aims to handle cases efficiently and publishes statistics on average timelines, but you should be prepared for the process to take time, particularly if the EU body needs to provide a detailed response.
Q Can the Ombudsman force an EU institution to change its decision?
No. The Ombudsman's powers are recommendatory rather than binding. It can find maladministration, suggest solutions, and issue public reports, but it cannot annul a decision or order compensation. That said, EU institutions frequently accept the Ombudsman's recommendations, and the public nature of findings creates real pressure to comply.
Q What if my complaint is about a UK public body instead?
The European Ombudsman has no role in that case. Complaints about UK central government departments or the NHS usually go to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, typically via your MP. Complaints about local councils in England go to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman. There are separate ombudsman schemes in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Q Do I need to have tried to resolve it with the EU body first?
Generally yes. The Ombudsman expects you to have raised the issue with the institution concerned and given it a fair chance to respond before escalating. If the institution ignored you, gave an inadequate reply, or acted in a way you consider unfair, that correspondence forms the starting point for your Ombudsman complaint and helps show the matter could not be resolved directly.
If you're dealing with this kind of situation, a call with an experienced legal adviser can help you work out the right next step — from £89.

Sources

This guide is based on primary UK law and official guidance.

Brad Askew, Solicitor (non-practising)

Written & reviewed by

Brad Askew Solicitor (non-practising)

Brad is on the roll of solicitors of England & Wales but does not hold a practising certificate and does not provide legal advice. LegalDocuments.co.uk is not a law firm and does not provide regulated legal advice.

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Legal disclaimer
This article is for general information only. It is a tool to help you find your way — not legal advice, and not a substitute for speaking to a qualified adviser about your situation.