Even today Euroregions and other forms of transfrontier co-operation structures do not create a new type of government at transfrontier level. They do not have political powers and their work is limited to the competences of the local and regional authorities which constitute them.

Within the limits of the geographical scope of co-operation (the "Regio"), the transfrontier structures are arrangements for co-operation between units of local or regional government across the border in order to promote common interests and enhance the living standards of the border populations.

The Association of European Border Regions (AEBR) sets the following criteria for the identification of Euroregions:

An association of local and regional authorities on either side of the national border, sometimes with a parliamentary assembly;

A transfrontier association with a permanent secretariat and a technical and administrative team with own resources;

Of private law nature, based on non-profit-making associations or foundations on either side of the border in accordance with the respective national law in force;

Of public law nature, based on inter-state agreements, dealing among other things, with the participation of territorial authorities.

It would appear that several "labels" are used which are categorised under "Euroregions". These include:

   Euregio

   Euregion

   Euroregion

   Europaregion

   Grand Region

   Regio

   Council

In some cases the label "Euroregion" is not used at all, such as the "Nova Raetia" which is composed of territorial communities of Switzerland, Italy and Austria.

The terms "Regio" and "Euroregions" are also used for national border associations created by the municipalities and counties. This is the case with the Czech Klub Euroregion Labe, the German Euroregio Egrensis Arbeitsgemeinschaft Bayern and the German Inn-Salzach Euregio e.V. (association of Bavarian municipalities) and many others.