The EPC summit in Dublin brings about 50 European heads of state and government to the Convention Centre Dublin on Thursday, November 12, 2026. EU leaders then stay on for an informal meeting of their own on Friday, November 13. Arrivals, the family photo and the press conferences will be streamed live by the host broadcaster.
Key facts (as of November 2026)
- The 9th European Political Community meeting takes place on November 12, 2026, at the Convention Centre Dublin, chaired by Taoiseach Micheál Martin (Irish EU Presidency).
- An informal meeting of the 27 EU leaders follows in Dublin on November 13, chaired by European Council President António Costa (Irish EU Presidency).
- Gardaí call the security operation the largest in the history of the Irish state, starting on Tuesday, November 10 (RTÉ, The Irish Times).
What is happening at the EPC summit in Dublin?
Ireland is hosting the ninth summit of the European Political Community, or EPC. The EPC is an informal forum, set up in 2022, where leaders from EU and non-EU countries across Europe talk about security, the economy and politics.
The Irish government says more than 50 leaders will take part, along with the heads of the main European institutions. The theme Ireland chose is “Europe – strong, secure and connected.” Countries on the participant list include the UK, Ukraine, Türkiye, Norway, Switzerland, Serbia and the Western Balkan states, as well as all 27 EU members.
After the main sessions, Martin will host the visiting leaders for dinner on Thursday evening, with the National Gallery of Ireland as the venue, RTÉ reported. On Friday, the 27 EU leaders meet without their non-EU guests.
When is it, in your time zone?
Ireland is on Greenwich Mean Time in November, so Dublin time equals GMT. Central Europe is one hour ahead, and the US East Coast is five hours behind.
| What | Dublin (GMT) | CET | ET |
|---|---|---|---|
| EPC summit day | Thursday, Nov 12 | Thursday, Nov 12 | Thursday, Nov 12 |
| Heaviest road closures for motorcades (per The Irish Times) | 3–7 p.m. | 4–8 p.m. | 10 a.m.–2 p.m. |
| Leaders’ dinner, National Gallery | Thursday evening | Thursday evening | Thursday afternoon |
| Informal EU leaders’ meeting | Friday, Nov 13 | Friday, Nov 13 | Friday, Nov 13 |
The organisers had not posted minute-by-minute session times on their event pages when we checked. So for US viewers, most live moments from Dublin will fall in the early morning or around midday Eastern time.
Why does the Dublin EPC summit matter?
For European viewers, it is the one place where EU and non-EU leaders sit in the same room, including the UK and Ukraine. Because the format is informal, the live doorstep comments leaders give on arrival are often where the headlines start.
For the Irish state, it is a test of scale. The Irish Times called it the biggest meeting of national leaders Ireland has ever staged. Garda spokesman Superintendent Liam Geraghty said the operation would be “bigger than a US presidential visit,” according to RTÉ.
The Friday meeting has a policy angle too. In April, Costa said EU leaders would hold a high-level discussion on the housing crisis in Dublin in November, Brussels Signal reported. He called affordable housing one of the most urgent problems facing Europeans.
What led to this?
Ireland took over the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU on July 1, 2026. The EPC meets twice a year, in spring and autumn. The previous summit was held in Yerevan, Armenia, in the spring, and Switzerland is due to host the next one in 2027.
How have officials and others reacted?
Gardaí, Dublin City Council and the National Transport Authority have asked people to plan ahead. The security zone around the Convention Centre will be closed to walkers, cyclists and cars, and some Luas red line stops will shut, The Irish Times reported. Every Dublin bus route is expected to feel knock-on delays, according to RTÉ.
Labour disputes add a second layer. Public sector unions plan a 24-hour strike on Thursday over a pay deal, RTÉ said. Meanwhile, the Garda Representative Association has called a work-to-rule from November 10 to 14, and talks with the Garda Commissioner were ongoing, The Irish Times reported.
On housing, views differ as well. Brussels Signal noted that critics see the EU’s response as slow. In contrast, Costa and the mayors’ housing alliance argue for a coordinated plan at every level of government.
What happens next?
The security operation begins on Tuesday, November 10, and road restrictions run until Friday evening. The EPC session is on Thursday and the EU-only meeting is on Friday. After that, the next EPC meeting moves to Switzerland in 2027.
How to watch the EPC summit in Dublin live
The most direct feed comes from the organisers. The Irish Presidency’s host broadcaster will stream arrivals, handshakes, doorsteps, the opening round-table, the family photo and the press conferences live on the presidency website and through EBS, the EU’s broadcast service. That footage is free to watch.
For live coverage with analysis, these channels cover European summits closely:
- Euronews streams free on its website and apps. Our Euronews live guide lists every official way to watch.
- DW News, Germany’s international broadcaster, has a free English stream. See the DW News live guide for devices.
- France 24 runs a free English channel online and on many TV platforms. Our France 24 English guide covers the options.
- Sky News is a good option for UK viewers following the British delegation. Check the Sky News live stream guide.
In Ireland, RTÉ’s news services will report from Dublin throughout. For more English-language options from the continent, see our round-up of European news channels in English, and follow our Hot Topics coverage for the stories people watch live.
Coming soon: the NewsLive streaming app. We’re building one subscription for live international news on Android, Roku, Fire TV and desktop. The service is under development. See what the NewsLive app will offer and join the early-access list.
Frequently asked questions
When is the EPC summit in Dublin?
The EPC summit in Dublin is on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at the Convention Centre Dublin. An informal meeting of EU leaders follows on Friday, November 13.
Can I watch the summit for free?
Yes. The host broadcaster streams arrivals, the family photo and press conferences on the Irish Presidency website, and Euronews, DW News and France 24 all have free official streams.
Which countries attend the European Political Community?
About 50 European countries take part, including all 27 EU members plus the UK, Ukraine, Türkiye, Norway, Switzerland and the Western Balkan states.
Sources
- Irish EU Presidency: Meeting of the European Political Community
- Ireland.ie: European Political Community, Ireland 2026
- Irish EU Presidency: host broadcaster services
- RTÉ News: traffic disruption expected in Dublin during EU meetings (Nov 4, 2026)
- The Irish Times: road closures for the EU presidency meetings (Nov 4, 2026)
- Brussels Signal: EU leaders schedule Dublin housing meeting (Apr 30, 2026)
