The powder α-Eu 2 (MoO 4 ) 3 sample was prepared by the solid-state reaction method. The phase purity of the final powder product was verified by X-ray diffraction analysis. The constituent element core levels and valence band are measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy as a function of Ar + ion (2.5 keV, 7−8 μA/cm 2 ) bombardment time. The formation of Mo 5+ and Mo 4+ states at high bombardment times was detected. The Eu−O and Mo−O bonding was considered in comparison with other Eu 3+ -and Mo 6+ -containing oxides using binding energy difference parameters. The transparency range obtained for the pure α-Eu 2 (MoO 4 ) 3 tablet is λ = 0.41−0.97 μm, as estimated at the transmission level of 5%. The short-wavelength cut edge in α-Eu 2 (MoO 4 ) 3 is governed by the direct allowed optical transitions within the band gap of E g = 3.74 eV (300 K). The band structure of α-Eu 2 (MoO 4 ) 3 was calculated by ab initio methods and strongly different results were obtained for the spin up/down configurations. The Eu-4f states are located around 2.2 eV and −4.0 eV for spin up (↑) and the structures situated at around 6.5 and 5.5 eV for spin down (↓) configuration. The calculated spin magnetic moments are in excellent relation to the Slater-Pauling rule and within the Eu sphere the magnetic moment of 4f electrons is ∼5.99 μB.