Cookie Policy

Only Technical (essential) Cookies

By default, our website blocks all non-essential cookies . This means we initially allow only technical (strictly necessary) cookies needed for the site to function correctly, in line with EU privacy laws.

We do not load any analytics, advertising, or other non-technical cookies until you give your consent. This default approach protects your privacy and ensures compliance with regulations from the moment you visit our site​

What Are Technical Cookies?

Technical cookies (also called strictly necessary cookies) are those used solely to carry out the transmission of communications or to provide a service you explicitly request.

In other words, they are essential for core website features to work – for example, remembering your preference to accept or reject additional cookies so you don’t have to select your preference on every page you visit or enabling you to log in securely. These cookies do not require your prior consent under EU law because they are considered necessary for delivering the service or functionality you expect when using the site.

List of the most important technical cookies we might use:

  • wordpress_logged_in_ – Used to indicate when you are logged in and who you are..
  • wordpress_sec_ – Security cookie to protect against unauthorized access..
  • wordpress_test_cookie – Tests if cookies are enabled in the browser..
  • wp-settings- – Used to store user preferences in the admin interface..
  • wp-settings-time- – Stores the time at which wp-settings- was set..
  • PHPSESSID – Stores the session ID for maintaining a logged-in state..
  • cookie_consent – Stores user consent preferences for cookies, valid for 1 year..

Learn more about it on the “Your Europe” website (external link).

If You Decline Optional Cookies

You are free to reject all non-essential cookies when our cookie banner appears. If you do so, we will respect your choice.

The EUI Institutional website will continue to run with only technical cookies, and any features that rely on third-party cookies will remain disabled by default.​

This means certain embedded content will not be visible or functional without your consent, including:

  • YouTube videos – Embedded YouTube players will not load on our pages (you may just see a placeholder instead).
  • Google Maps – Interactive maps will not display on our site.
  • Google Analytics – User experience tracking

List of the other third-party cookies we might use:

  • personalization_id – Twitter cookie for personalized content..
  • bcookie – LinkedIn browser identification cookie..
  • bscookie – LinkedIn secure browser cookie..
  • fr – Facebook cookie for tracking users and advertising..

By declining cookies, you might notice empty spaces or messages where this external content would normally be. This is because those services set their own cookies, which we block until you allow them. Even without enabling cookies you can still read the information on our site. Embedded media or forms will not be visible but you can contact the relevant department or unit to ask for more information.

Preference remembered : When you choose to reject cookies, we store that preference in a technical cookie on your browser to remember your choice​.

This cookie only notes that you opted out of optional cookies (it contains no personal data) and prevents the cookie banner from nagging you again on each visit​

We set this preference cookie to last for one year. If you revisit within that time, our site will know your decision and keep the non-essential cookies blocked.

After one year (or if you manually clear your cookies), you may be asked again to confirm your cookie preferences, ensuring that we periodically reconfirm your choice.

Accepting Cookies for Additional Features

If you accept all cookies via our banner, we will enable the full range of features and reload any previously blocked third-party content.
This means:

  1. embedded YouTube videos will play right on our pages
  2. Google Maps will display interactive maps
  3. Google Analytics is able to track your navigation

In practical terms, by accepting, you are allowing us to load those external services’ components (YouTube video players, map frames, Google Analytics tracking, form widgets) which in turn may set their own cookies on your device.

Once you consent, the previously disabled iframes and scripts from these third parties are activated. As a result, additional cookies may be stored by YouTube, Google Maps, Google Analytics in accordance with their own policies.

We recommend reviewing the specific policies of the above-mentioned service providers if you have any concerns.

By accepting cookies on our site, you acknowledge that these external services will be processing your data in accordance with their respective privacy terms. (Note: YouTube, Google Maps and Google Analytics are all services from Google, which are covered under Google’s unified privacy policy​:

If at any time you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent by clearing cookies and the third-party content will be blocked again until you re-consent.

How We Manage Cookies (Google Tag Manager)

To implement our cookie control in a reliable way, we use Google Tag Manager – a tool provided by Google that helps deploy website tags and manage cookies. Google Tag Manager itself does not set any cookies on your device and does not collect personal information​.

Google Tag Manager simply loads other scripts and tags on our pages, and we have configured it so that non-technical tags are not fired unless you have given consent . In essence, Tag Manager serves as a traffic light for cookies: by default it keeps analytics/marketing tags “red-lighted” (inactive) and only “green-lights” (activates) them after you click “Accept”.

This ensures that, for example, our analytics or embedded content tags run only if you’ve allowed cookies.

If you use an ad blocker or privacy-enhancing browser extension , be aware that some of these tools can hide cookie consent banners automatically.

In other words, you might never see our cookie banner if an ad blocker is actively suppressing it. Some ad-blocking lists specifically target cookie pop-ups (for instance, if you’ve enabled a feature like “block cookie notices” in your blocker, it will prevent our banner from showing up).

What does this mean for you?

If the banner is blocked, our site will assume no consent was given, and thus will default to technical cookies only. All optional cookies remain off – which protects your privacy, but also means external videos, maps, and forms will stay disabled (since you never got a chance to enable them).

If you find that, for example, a YouTube video isn’t loading and you weren’t prompted about cookies, your ad blocker could be the reason.

How to resolve it?

You don’t need to disable your ad blocker completely. Most ad-blockers have an option to allow or show cookie notices. You can whitelist our site or disable the “hide cookie banner” feature for our website, then refresh the page. This will let the cookie consent banner appear so you can make your choice. After you’ve made your selection (either accept or continue to refuse), you can continue browsing with your preferences properly applied.

We just want you to be informed that a blocker might be intervening if things seem stuck or missing. Your convenience and privacy are important to us, so please adjust your settings as needed to ensure you have control over cookies on our site.

Keeping it Privacy-Friendly and Easy to Use

We have crafted this cookie policy to be clear and user-friendly. Our goal is to respect your choices and give you the information you need without overwhelm.

If you have any questions or need help with your cookie preferences, feel free to contact our Data Protection Office.
Data Protection at the EUI

Cookie setting

We use cookies to help personalise content and provide a better experience. By clicking Accept all, you agree to this, as outlined in our Cookie Policy. To change preferences or withdraw consent, please update your Cookie Preferences.