This observational study aimed to assess trends in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) disease burden in European Union countries for the years 1990–2019. Sex specific T2DM age-standardised prevalence (ASPRs), mortality (ASMRs) and disability-adjusted life-year rates (DALYs) per 100,000 population were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study online results tool for each EU country (inclusive of the United Kingdom), for the years 1990–2019. Trends were analysed using Joinpoint regression analysis. Between 1990 and 2019, increases in T2DM ASPRs were observed for all EU countries. The highest relative increases in ASPRs were observed in Luxembourg (males + 269.1%, females + 219.2%), Ireland (males + 191.9%, females + 165.7%) and the UK (males + 128.6%, females + 114.6%). Mortality trends were less uniform across EU countries, however a general trend towards reducing T2DM mortality was observed, with ASMRs decreasing over the 30-year period studied in 16/28 countries for males and in 24/28 countries for females. The UK observed the highest relative decrease in ASMRs for males (− 46.9%). For females, the largest relative decrease in ASMRs was in Cyprus (− 67.6%). DALYs increased in 25/28 countries for males and in 17/28 countries for females between 1990 and 2019. DALYs were higher in males than females in all EU countries in 2019. T2DM prevalence rates have increased across EU countries over the last 30 years. Mortality from T2DM has generally decreased in EU countries, however trends were more variable than those observed for prevalence. Primary prevention strategies should continue to be a focus for preventing T2DM in at risk groups in EU countries.