The first generic class of aseismic foundation design problem relates to the design of new foundations. Once earthquake risk and site effects have been evaluated the designer needs to proceed with the proportioning of the foundation. To date there is little in the way of code based recommendations to cover this. Eurocode 8 (the structural design code in the new Eurocode series) is an exception and contains an extensive section on the design of foundations to resist earthquake loading. This has been developed using the results of a number of special investigations, both laboratory and theoretical. This paper will address the background to the provisions in the Eurocode, will cover shallow foundations and deep foundations, and review differences between low level response for which the soil can be expected to remain elastic and other situations where nonlinear behaviour of the soil adjacent to the foundation occurs.