The European Judo Federation consists of 51 national Judo federations/associations, and is itself recognised by the International Judo Federation as one of five continental unions. The organisation of the administration of Judo is based on a pyramid system of regulations, with the IJF the world governing body, the EJU the European governing body, and national Judo associations the governing bodies at domestic level.
The first meeting was held on 26 July 1948, in London to form the European Judo Union (EJU). Representatives from Great Britain, Austria, and the Netherlands took part. The meeting was adjourned until the following Wednesday. On 28 July finally, Great Britain put forward the motion: "That the European Judo Union be now formed on the basis of the Constitution as approved, and that all other European countries be circulated with a copy of it and be invited to join." This was seconded by Holland and approved unanimously. France, who was allowed to express opinions but not to vote.
The object of the proposed Union was the standardisation of judo rules and procedures and the establishment of an international body for arbitration. Inclusion of judo in the Olympic Games was first mentioned in this meeting. Young French publisher Henry D. Plee suggested that he print a translation of the Kodokan's monthly magazine in English and French; the EJU agreed to make it an official organ of the EJU.
After the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russian Sergey Soloveychik resigned as European Judo Union President, a position he had held since 2007, and thereafter the Russian Judo Federation and the Belarusian Judo Federation suspended their participation in all EJU international events, and the EJU cancelled two events that had been scheduled to take place in Russia. In May 2023, following the IJF's decision to reinstate Russia and Belarus, the EJU followed suit and re-admitted Russian and Belarusian athletes.