[en] Position of the Eu-L₃ absorption edge has been studied in pure metal and in its trivalent halides, EuF₃, EuCl₃, EuBr₃, and EuI₃, employing a simple X-ray spectrometer with an LiF single crystal as the analyser. A linear relationship was established between the chemical shift and the effective charge on the absorbing rare earth atom. The chemical shifts have also been correlated to Moessbauer isomer shifts. The results have been discussed in terms of nature of chemical bonding, effective atomic charge on the absorbing atom and some other parameters relevant to the immediate local environment of the absorbing atom. (author)