The paper introduces the concepts 'euro-governmentality' and 'synoptical power' in order to critically examine European education policy and in particular the governmental role of European member states and the EU with regard to education. The term euro-governmentality draws upon the concept of governmentality (cf. Foucault) and points at the analysis of processes of 'governmentalisation' and 'conduct of conduct' both at the European and national level. This perspective on euro-governmentality helps to understand current changes in the rationalisation of the role of governmental agencies, related policy procedures and instruments and forms of conduct (e.g., the optimal 'behaviour' of member states). Synoptical power (cf. Mathiessen) refers to the configuration of surveillance that allows 'the many to watch and to observe the few'. The paper argues that 'synoptism' is a main dimension of euro-governmentality, that is, a mode of surveillance where for example many member states watch and observe the few optimal performing member states in order to know how they should behave on the European scene. In conclusion, the paper discusses the contribution of the analytical perspective of (euro-)governmentality to the critical study of (future) European education policy.