A lanthanide coordination complex [Eu(PAA)2(phen)(NO3)]2 (PAA = phenylacetic acid, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) has been synthesized by the hydrothermal method. Single crystal X-ray diffractions show that it forms a dimeric molecular structure. The title complex crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P1, with lattice parameters a = 8.9473(8) Å, b = 13.3659(12) Å, c = 13.4745(12) Å, α = 60.7590(10)°, β = 89.5100(10)°, γ = 71.9850(10)°, V = 1317.3(2) Å3, Dc = 1.675 Mg m-3, Z = 1, F(000) = 660, GOF = 1.003, R1 = 0.0206, wR2 = 0.0575. The fluorescence excitation and emission spectra have been investigated.