LOCAL AND REGIONAL GOVERNMENT IN THE EU

Over 60% of decisions taken at the European level have a direct impact on municipalities, provinces, and regions and 70% to 80% of public investments in Europe are made by local and regional authorities. Those two figures alone are proof of the ever-increasing importance of European local and regional government in both our world’s economy and the life of citizens. The current financial, economic and social crisis affecting most of Europe’s national governments means that the future of Europe lies more so than ever in the hands of local and regional authorities. Indeed, these units of self-government have the capacity to support development projects directly in their territories and on the ground, and to establish a full cooperation with national governments and European institutions in order to create optimal conditions for sustainable and inclusive growth.

Austria

1. 2357 Municipalities (Gemeinden)
2. 9 Regions (Länder)

Belgium

1. 589 Municipalities (Gemeenten)
2. 10 Provinces (Provincies)
3. 3 Regions (Brussels-Capital, Flanders, Wallonia)
4. 3 Communities (Gemeenschappen) (Flemish, French and German Speaking)

Bulgaria

1. 264 Municipalities (Obshtina)

Croatia

1. 429 Municipalities
2. 106 Towns
3. 21 Cities (Grad)
4. 21 Counties (Zupanija)

Cyprus

1. 484 Communities (Koinotites)
2. 39 Municipalities (Dimoi)

Czech Republic

1. 6250 Municipalities (Obec)
2. 14 Regions (Kraje)

Denmark

1. 98 Municipalities (Kommuner)
2. 5 Regions (Regioner)

Estonia

1. 139 Rural Municipalities (Vald)
2. 33 Cities (Linn)

Finland

1. 336 Municipalities (Kunta)
2. Region of Kainuu and the Äland Islands)

France

1. 36682 Municipalities
2. 96 Departments- 5 Overseas Departments
3. 13 Regions- 4 Overseas Regions

Germany

1. 11500 Municipalities (Gemeinden) and Cities (Städte)
2. More than 300 Counties (Kreise)
3. 16 Regions (Länder)

Greece

1. 325 Municipalities (Dimos)
2. 13 Self-Governing Regions (Peripheria)

Hungary

1. 3175 Municipalities (Telepulések), Cities (Varosok), Cities with County Rank (Megyei Jogu Varosok), Capital City District (Fövarosi Kerületek) and the City of Budapest
2. 19 Counties (Megyek)

Ireland

1. 5 Boroughs and 80 Towns
2. 5 Cities and 29 Counties

Italy

1. 8094 Muncipalities (Comuni)
2. 101 Provinces (Provincia)
3. 20 Regions (Regione)

Latvia

1. 110 Muncipalities (Novads)
2. 9 Cities (Pilseta)

Lithuania

1. 60 Municipalities (Savivaldybe)

Luxembourg

1. 106 Municipalities

Malta

1. 68 Local Councils (Kunsill Lokali)

Netherlands

1. 418 Muncipalities (Gemeenten)
2. 12 Provinces (Provincies)

Poland

1. 2479 Municipalities (Gminy)
2. 379 Counties (Powiaty), which includes the 65 Municipalities with special status
3. 16 Regions (Voivodship-Wojewodztwo)

Portugal

1. 4259 Parishes (Freguesias) and 308 Municipalities (Municipios)
2. 2 Autonomous Regions (Açores and Madeira)

Romania

1. 2861 Municipalities (Comune), 217 Towns (Orase) and 103 Cities (Municipii)
2. 41 Counties (Judete)

Slovakia

1. 2792 Municipalities (Obce) and 138 Cities (Mesta)
2. 8 Self-Governing Regions (Samospravne Kraje)

Slovenia

1. 211 Municipalities (Obcin)

Spain

1. 8117 Muncipalities (Municipios) County Councils (Diputaciones), Canary Island, County Councils (Cabildos) and Balearic Island County Council (Consejos Insulares)
2. 17 Autonomous Communities (Comunidades Autonomes)
3. 2 Autonomous Cities (Ciudades Autonomas)

Sweden

1. 290 Municipalities (Kommuner)
2. 17 County Councils (Landsting)
3. 4 Regions (Regioner)

United Kingdom

1. 466 Local Authorities
2. Nations and Regions: England, ales, Scotland and Northern Ireland