As pupils and teachers return to school, the European Commission has published a new report providing an overview of recent developments in education spending across Europe, updated to the latest available data from 2024.
The report ‘Investing in Education 2026′ shows that in 2024, EU countries spent 4.8% of Gross Domestic Product on education, accounting for 9.7% of total public expenditure, although significant differences remain between Member States. While education investment in the EU is stabilising, it remains slightly below pre-pandemic levels as a share of public expenditure (10% in 2019, 9.3% in 2020 and 2021; 9.4% in 2022; 9.6% in 2023).
The report stresses the importance of investing in teachers, who are at the core of our education systems. The findings show that over 3 in 4 teachers (76.5%), if given the choice to choose a new profession, would choose to continue to teach. They indicate that several factors, such as remuneration and professional recognition, play an important role in shaping the attractiveness of the teaching profession.
Salary satisfaction continues to be associated with a higher likelihood of choosing the teaching profession again, alongside other factors such as supportive working environments, positive perceptions of the profession and opportunities for professional collaboration also play an important role. In contrast, workplace stress significantly reduces teachers’ willingness to remain in the profession.
Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, Roxana Mînzatu, said: ‘Teachers are the backbone of Europe’s education systems, and investing in education means investing in them. This report makes clear that attracting and retaining teachers is not only about salaries. It is also about working conditions, well-being, professional recognition and opportunities to grow throughout a career. At a time when many education systems face teacher shortages, we need to make teaching a profession that people want to join, stay in and feel valued in. Our upcoming EU Teachers and Trainers Agenda, under the Union of Skills, will support Member States in doing exactly that.’
Commission seeks views on EU rules for cross-border civil and commercial disputes
Today, the European Commission launched an open public consultation and a call for evidence to gather feedback on a possible revision of EU rules governing jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in cross-border civil and commercial cases (‘Brussels Ia Regulation’). The consultation will help assess how the current rules are working in practice and identify possible improvements to strengthen legal certainty, improve access to justice, reduce administrative burdens and support the competitiveness of EU businesses operating across borders.
The current rules are a cornerstone of judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters in the EU. They establish common rules to determine which courts have jurisdiction in cross-border disputes and ensure that court judgments can be recognised and enforced across Member States. This helps citizens and businesses resolve their disputes with parties from different EU countries more efficiently, supporting the functioning of the Single Market and making the EU a more attractive place in which to invest and do business.
A recent Commission application report found that the rules continue to function well and have generally achieved their objectives. At the same time, it identified areas where targeted improvements could help modernise the framework, simplify procedures and better align the rules with digital developments and evolving litigation patterns.
Both the public consultation and the call for evidence will run for 12 weeks, until 24 November 2026. More information on how to participate is available online.
Commission clears acquisition of Caiba and Nosoplas by Portobello, Cobega and Sonab
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Caiba, S.A. and Nosoplas, S.L.U. by Portobello Capital Fondo IV, FCR (‘Portobello’), Cobega, S.A. and Sonab, S.L., all of Spain.
The transaction relates primarily to the polyethylene terephthalate packaging market.
The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given its limited impact on competition in the markets where the companies are active. The notified transaction was examined under the normal merger review procedure.
Commission clears acquisition of AERIAN by Tikehau and Aciturri
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Aerian France SAS (‘AERIAN’) by Tikehau Capital SCA (‘Tikehau’), both of France, and Aciturri Aeroengines S.L.U. (‘Aciturri’) of Spain.
The transaction relates primarily to the aero-engine component sector.
The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given that the joint venture has negligible activities in the European Economic Area and the companies’ limited combined market position resulting from the proposed transaction. The notified transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
More information is available on the Commission’s competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.12423.
Commission clears acquisition of VTS by Accenture
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of VTS S.p.A. of Italy by Accenture plc of Ireland.
The transaction relates primarily to the provision of IT services in the banking sector.
The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given the companies’ limited combined market position resulting from the proposed transaction. The notified transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.