Relations between the European Union (EU) and the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) are based on common values, European heritage, and a shared interest in areas such as the economy, the environment, education, and culture. These relations have developed under the framework of the Agreement for Trade and Cooperation signed in 1992 between the EU and Macao. 

After Macao was handed over to China by Portugal in 1999, the European Commission started producing annual reports on developments in Macao. The most recent report covers 2021. 

Under the Agreement for Trade and Cooperation, the EU and Macao hold regular Joint Committee meetings to review recent developments in their relationship, take stock of current cooperation activities and explore new areas for cooperation. The most recent Joint Committee meeting was held in Brussels in June 2019, about which a Joint Press Statement was released. 

The EU is working with the Macao Government to diversify its economy, improve the sustainability of its economic development and promote bilateral trade and investment. 

The EU is Macao’s second largest supplier after China, providing one-fourth of its imports in goods in 2018. However, the EU was the destination of less than 1.7% of Macao’s export of goods. These trade imbalances have generated long-standing trade surpluses in favour of the EU, as Macao’s import demand has continued to grow over the years, while its manufacturing sector has been shrinking.