Correspondence with Citizens

The mailbox is intended for questions, requests for information, proposals and suggestions addressed to the European Parliament by members of the public. All questions must relate to matters falling within the European Union's sphere of activities.
Otherwise, any citizen or resident of the European Union, or any company, organisation or association with its headquarters in a Member State (i.e. any 'natural or legal person' based in the EU), may submit a petition to the European Parliament, either individually or jointly, on a subject which falls within the European Union's sphere of activities and concerns them directly. The subject of the petition may be a matter of general concern, an individual grievance or an appeal to the European Parliament to take a stance on a matter of public interest.
They will be answered within a reasonable period. If a question covers a complex subject, a holding letter will be sent immediately by e-mail.

Complaints to the European Ombudsman

Any citizen or resident of the European Union can complain to the European Ombudsman about maladministration on the part of a Community institution or body.

Invitations to tender, contracts, grants

In accordance with the Financial Regulation of the European Communities, the European Parliament is required to put contracts for the purchase of goods and services out to public tender. Such invitations to tender are published regularly in the Official Journal of the European Communities - S Series, and can be browsed on-line. Below certain thresholds contracts may be put out to tender under non-public procedures among a limited number of suppliers who may have been determined by a preceding call for expressions of interest.

SOLVIT - Effective problem solving in the Internal Market

SOLVIT is an on-line problem solving network in which EU Member States work together to solve without legal proceedings problems caused by the misapplication of Internal Market law by public authorities. There is a SOLVIT centre in every European Union Member State (as well as in Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein). SOLVIT Centres can help with handling complaints from both citizens and businesses. They are part of the national administration and are committed to providing real solutions to problems within ten weeks. Using SOLVIT is free of charge.