Besides these effects on life in Salzburg, the land also tries to present its interests and ideas in Brussels. Salzburg land is represented in the Assembly of Regions of the EU and has played an active role there since Austria’s accession to the EU. For Salzburg the Assembly of Regions represents one of the ways in which attempts can be made to influence the policy of the EU. Again and again there are specific examples where this is seen to be absolutely necessary. During discussions about the Agenda 2000 of the EU Salzburg was concerned, for instance, about toning down certain reforms in the agricultural sector because they would have endangered the survival of Salzburg’s agricultural enterprises on the market. In the discussion about the reform of regional aid Salzburg also fought to ensure that mountainous areas should not be the losers when the EU is enlarged because the subsidies foreseen for these regions could be siphoned off to the eastern European countries. This would be extremely harmful to the population’s acceptance of EU enlargement. Concerning transit problems, Salzburg has to be careful not to be "overrun" by Alpine crossing traffic.

Salzburg politicians are lobbying hard towards EU decision makers to get the Alpine region granted sensibility status, allowing for ecologically sound limits that still make economic sense. Salzburg has raised its voice on the European level as founding member of an initiative of constitutionally "strong" regions. REG LEG is the board of Presidents of European lands with legislative powers in eight member states. Together they lobby hard for additional legislative rights within the EU and the specification of regional responsibilities and competences. Through the Working Community of Alpine countries Salzburg also tries to exert pressure for the EU to adopt reasonable positions in questions concerning the Alps. Salzburg is also present in the Committee of the Regions and in the Assembly of the Regions of Europe. Salzburg’s European deputies also represent the interests of Salzburg. At the first elections to the European Parliament (EP) in autumn 1996 Salzburgers were elected to this institution. In comparison with other parts of Europe Salzburg achieved an above-average turnout. This was also the first time that non-Austrian EU citizens were eligible to vote and 549 made use of this right in this election. Johannes Voggenhuber (Green Party) has been a member of the European Parliament in a second term since 1999.