European Order of Merit

The European Order of Merit is an order of merit awarded by the European Parliament. The order was founded on the 75th Anniversary of the Schuman Declaration in May 2025, the first appointments were in March 2026. The selections are made by a selection committee appointed by the Bureau of the European Parliament.

Only 20 people can be awarded the order each year. Elected members and civil servants of the institutions of the European Union cannot be awarded for the duration of their term or employment.

The European Order of Merit feature three classes.

The first inductees were awarded at a ceremony in Strasbourg on the 19 May 2026.