Why is Brussels often called the administrative capital of Europe?

Brussels is often referred to as the administrative capital of Europe primarily because it serves as the central seat for the major institutions of the European Union.41

Following the establishment of the headquarters of the European Communities in 1958, the city became the focal point for European integration. Today, Brussels hosts the executive components of the EU, including the European Commission and the Council of the European Union. Additionally, the city is home to the committee sessions of the European Parliament, as well as the EU’s Committee of the Regions and the Economic and Social Committee.234

This concentration of international governance institutions, located largely within the city's "European Quarter," reinforces Brussels's identity as the capital of Europe and a significant global city.13