The subsidiarity principle aims to ensure that decisions are taken as closely as possible to the citizen. Except in cases where the EU has exclusive competence, action at European level should not be [..]

1936, from German Subsidiarität, paraphrasing the Latin of Pius XI in his Quadragesimo Anno of 1931; see subsidiary + -ity.

The idea that national-level decision-making should be devolved to the most appropriate level (usually downwards to local communities). See devolution and decentralization.

The “subsidiarity principle” means that EU decisions must be taken as closely as possible to the citizen. In other words, the Union does not take action (except on matters for which it alone is responsible) unless EU action is more effective than action taken at national, regional or local level.

(n) secondary importance

It is presently known as a fundamental principle of European Union law. According to this principle, 

The principle of subsidiarity is defined in article 5 - lisbon treaty on european union.

Maximum local autonomy.

The principle that government power ought to reside at the lowest feasible level (i.e. at the local or regional level, instead of the national or supranational level, unless the latter presents clea [..]