The description of nuclear few- and many-body systems is a constant challenge to theory. Effective field theories provide one path to the description of such systems provided a ratio of separated scales is available that can be exploited as an expansion parameter. I will discuss the application of EFTs to light nuclei and give overview over recent developments. I will furthermore address how this EFT can also be applied to halo nuclei and few- and many-body systems of ultracold atoms. If time permits I will also raise (and answer) the question how very heavy nuclei can be described in a similar systematic fashion.