Nanoparticles of Eu³⁺ doped YPO4 have been prepared using ethylene glycol (EG). Ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) is used as a complexing agent. X-ray diffraction results show that the nanoparticles are crystalline in tetragonal structure. Based on William-Hall relation, the effective crystallite size and strain developed in lattice are found to be 28 nm and 0.002, respectively. With the addition of EDTA, there is a slight shift towards the lower wavelength in emission peaks. Asymmetric ratio of electric to magnetic dipole transition intensities are found to decrease with addition of EDTA. Emission intensity decreases with EDTA because of decrease of particle size as well as decrease of number of Eu³⁺ activators per unit volume. These materials are dispersible in water, which may have potential biological applications.