The European Union and Uruguay

The EU and Uruguay signed a Framework Cooperation Agreement in 1992 to promote bilateral relations with the aim of increasing cooperation with regard to trade, finance and technology, among other things. Since the signing of this agreement, bilateral relations have expanded, and fostering relations with the EU has become a priority of Uruguay's foreign policy.

The Framework Cooperation Agreement involves regular meetings through a Joint Commission in order to share information and discuss issues of interest. The XIII Joint Commission of the European Union and Uruguay took place in Brussels in October 2023. Both parties reiterated their shared commitment to continue working together and to deepen the close bilateral relationship, based on the shared principles of democracy, rule of law, respect for human rights, multilateralism and international cooperation. In the field of bilateral relations, both parties welcomed the push of European investments in Uruguay, which reach almost 40% of total foreign investment in the country. The European Union and Uruguay highlighted the recent signing of the memorandum of understanding on energy, which puts emphasis on the production of green hydrogen and renewable energy, an area that offers enormous investment and growth opportunities. On digital issues, both parties expressed satisfaction with the signing of the EU-LAC Digital Alliance and discussed the next steps to be taken, as well as Uruguay's accession to the Latin American and Caribbean Cybercapabilities Centre (LAC4).

Bilateral relations took on a new dimension with the conclusion of negotiations between the EU and Mercosur - announced in Montevideo in December 2024 by the President of the European Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen, and her counterparts from the four Mercosur countries, Javier Milei (Argentina), Lula da Silva (Brazil), Santiago Peña (Paraguay) and Luis Lacalle Pou (Uruguay) - for an innovative partnership agreement that, in addition to trade, will intensify political and cooperation relations between both blocs.

Trade relations between the European Union and Uruguay are governed by the Framework Cooperation Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Uruguay signed in 1992, which established the foundation for strengthening bilateral economic and trade ties. Furthermore, as a member state of Mercosur, Uruguay participates in the Interregional Cooperation Framework Agreement between the European Union and Mercosur, signed in 1995, which incorporated provisions aimed at promoting economic and trade cooperation between the two blocs.

Relations between the EU and Mercosur reached a new level with the signing of the European Union - Mercosur Partnership Agreement on January 17, 2026. In this context, the entry into force of its trade component, the EU-Mercosur Interim Trade Agreement, on May 1, 2026, represents a decisive step towards deepening bi-regional economic integration by facilitating market access, promoting investment, and strengthening legal certainty for economic operators in both regions.

The European Union is one of Uruguay's main trading partners, both in goods and services. European exports to Uruguay consist mainly of machinery, equipment, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals, while imports from Uruguay are concentrated in wood pulp, paper and cardboard, as well as animal and agricultural products.

The EU has also established itself as the leading foreign investor in Uruguay, accounting for more than 40% of the country's foreign direct investment (FDI). European companies such as Bader, Bayer, BBVA, Banco Santander, Katoen Natie, Montes del Plata, Sofitel, Tigo, and UPM play a prominent role in strategic sectors of the Uruguayan economy, reflecting the confidence of the European private sector in the country and Uruguay's attractiveness as an investment destination.

The European business community in Uruguay is represented by Eurochamber Uruguay, which brings together the binational chambers of commerce of the European Union member states with a presence in the country. The European Parliament promotes economic and trade exchange, facilitates dialogue between the private sector and authorities, and contributes to strengthening economic relations between the EU and Uruguay.

How to trade with the EU?
Companies interested in exporting to or importing from the European Union can access practical and up-to-date information through the European Commission's  Access2Markets platform. This tool offers detailed information on tariffs, taxes, customs procedures, import and export requirements, rules of origin, trade measures, statistics, and other conditions for accessing the European market.

EU cooperation with Uruguay strengthens our partnership to combat global challenges and work together around the priorities we share, such as climate change and digitalisation.

Uruguay benefits from EU cooperation programmes, such as regional programmes for Latin America (EUROCLIMA, EUROSOCIAL, EL PAcCTO, COPOLAD, ADELANTE and AL INVEST, among others), thematic programmes which support civil society and promote democracy & human rights, and academic or scientific support & exchange programmes, such as Horizon Europe and Erasmus+.

In 2021, the EU launches a new strategy, named Global Gateway, to build more resilient connections with our partners around the world. The aim is to support smart investments in quality infrastructure in sectors such as digital, energy, transport, health, education and research.

Uruguay is an established and effective democracy. It enjoys considerable political and economic stability, with a robust rule of law. It is considered one of the most transparent and least corrupt countries of the world. The overall human rights situation in Uruguay remains positive and stable, with fundamental freedoms and human rights respected overall.

EU action focuses on the following key areas: 

• Eradicating all forms of violence and discrimination against women. 

• Promoting gender equality and cultivating an overall environment of non-discrimination, with special attention to the LGBTIQ community, persons with disabilities, elderly and Afro-descendants. 

To this effect, the EU Delegation in Uruguay engages proactively with the Uruguayan civil society, in particular through the annual structured dialogue, and carried out several major public events. 

In 2018, the EU Delegation launched an EU Human Rights Award to mark the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Award has been granted annually since then. It provides well-deserved visibility to the Uruguayan civil society and is an occasion to strengthen relations between the EU and key Uruguayan human rights institutions and civil society organisations.

See the situation in Uruguay as informed in the latest EU annual report on Human Rights and Democracy.

The EU has a strategic plan for humanitarian aid for Uruguay through the disaster preparedness programme (DIPECHO). 

Through its humanitarian aid, the European Commission not only provides assistance in emergencies, but also seeks to ensure that advance preparation is in place for the risk of natural disasters. 

The range of projects includes training, awareness-raising, risk mapping, emergency plans, early-warning systems and mitigation projects.