Today, the European Commission adopted an ambitious tax simplification package designed to simplify EU tax rules and reduce compliance burdens for businesses. The package comprises of two proposals, the Taxation Omnibus and the Recast of the Directive on Administrative Cooperation (DAC) and will modernise the EU’s direct tax framework and strengthen the competitiveness of the Single Market while maintaining the existing strong level of protection against tax fraud, evasion and avoidance. The package is expected to save EU businesses around pound 8 billion annually, of which pound 3.3 billion in administrative costs.
Tax Simplification Package
Over the past decade, the EU has significantly developed its direct taxation framework. Most notably, developments have addressed the challenges arising from globalisation, digitalisation, the rise of aggressive tax planning practices and the need to strengthen the functioning of the internal market. This framework has delivered important results. However, the cumulative effect of successive legislative initiatives has also increased complexity and compliance costs for businesses operating cross-border.
The proposal addresses these issues and ensures that the Union’s direct tax framework remains coherent, proportionate and effective. Its goal is to simplify the acquis in direct taxation, reduce unnecessary compliance burdens, enhance legal certainty, and facilitate cross-border activity in the internal market.
The Omnibus on Direct Taxation, it introduces key measures, such as:
Simplifying cumbersome rules to improve the internal market: The Omnibus introduces an exemption from withholding tax on all cross-border payments of dividends, interest, and royalties between companies in the EU. By removing upfront procedural requirements and simplifying refund processes, the measure will facilitate financing, encourage investment, and enhance competitiveness. This measure alone should bring EU taxpayers savings and benefits of around pound 5.3 billion annually.
Facilitating Financing: The Omnibus removes unnecessary restrictions on genuine third-party and market financing, making it easier for businesses to invest in the internal market. The Omnibus also simplifies the interest limitation rule in the Anti-Tax Avoidance Directive (ATAD) by eliminating implementation options and making the de minimis threshold mandatory. These changes will bring about compliance and administrative reductions amounting to over pound 500 million per year.
Eliminating Duplication: The Omnibus removes overlapping provisions between the Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) rules and the global minimum tax (Pillar Two), reducing unnecessary complexity and overlaps. This measure should save businesses approximately pound 160 million in compliance costs annually.
The main objectives of the DAC recast proposal are to simplify, clarify and enhance the EU legal framework for administrative cooperation in the field of direct taxation. By bringing together the DAC and its eight amendments into one single legal text, the legislation is more user-friendly and coherent, thereby improving legal certainty.
The recast introduces some key measures, such as:
Removing reporting obligations for certain cross-border arrangements: The recast removes reporting obligations for Multinational Enterprise (MNE) groups subject to the minimum 15% tax rate under Pillar 2 rules, generating compliance cost savings of around pound 300 million. It also eliminates reporting requirements for all other EU businesses for certain cross-border tax arrangements that provide limited added value for tax administrations, reducing reporting volumes by 35% and saving pound 40 million annually.
Supporting the Circular Economy: The recast increases the reporting threshold for the online sales of goods, removing reporting obligations on over 10 million private sellers, particularly those selling second-hand goods. This measure delivers compliance cost savings of pound 678 million for digital platforms.
Improving Taxpayer Identification: The recast introduces a new verification tool for taxpayer identification numbers, ensuring that tax administrations can efficiently and effectively identify all reported taxpayers.
Next steps
The package will now be submitted to the European Parliament for consultation and the Council for adoption.
Background
Since the start of this mandate, simplification has been a core priority of the Commission’s work, with clear targets of at least 25% reduction in administrative burdens (35% for SMEs) and EUR 37.5 billion in annual savings by 2029. With the packages proposed today, the Commission has already put forward twelve omnibus packages and a broad set of targeted measures last year, cutting over pound 18 billion in recurring annual administrative costs.
But this is not just about reducing paperwork – simplification is a core part of the Commission’s competitiveness agenda. It is about changing Europe’s regulatory culture: designing rules that are clearer from the start, more proportionate, and easier for businesses, especially SMEs, to understand and comply with. The aim is to keep Europe’s high standards, while making it easier to invest, innovate and grow across the Single Market.
For more information
Factsheet
Questions and Answers
Quote(s)
Europe needs simpler rules to deliver better results. Our tax simplification proposals offer solutions will radically improve clarity and legal certainty for businesses and tax administrations alike. They will reduce overall compliance costs for European businesses by almost pound 8 billion per year, including pound 3.3 billion in annual administrative costs. This brings total savings from our simplification agenda so far to over pound 18 billion – almost half of our goal for this mandate. Our proposals will also help remove obstacles to cross-border investment and economic activity, strengthening the EU’s Single Market and advancing the Savings and Investments Union. By simplifying the Directive on Administrative Cooperation, we are also advancing our regulatory deep cleaning agenda. The European Commission is determined to keep building a more competitive and prosperous Europe – we won’t stop until we get there.
Valdis Dombrovskis, Commissioner for Economy and Productivity; Implementation and Simplification
Today’s simplification package sends a clear message: Europe is serious about competitiveness, making it easier for our businesses to grow, invest, and succeed on its soil. We are upholding high standards of tax transparency and fairness, and at the same time, we are decreasing the administrative burden and modernising our tax framework, saving approximately pound 8 billion.
Wopke Hoekstra, Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth
Convergence Report reviews Member States’ progress towards joining the euro area
Today, the European Commission published the 2026 Convergence Report assessing the progress that non-euro area Member States have made towards adopting the euro.
More than 27 years after the introduction of the single currency, the euro has become a powerful symbol to the world of Europe’s identity. It is now the currency of 21 Member States, and more than 350 million people use it every day, making it the second most-used currency worldwide. Over the years, the euro has delivered tangible benefits to citizens and businesses by strengthening the Single Market, facilitating trade and investment, and promoting price stability. It has also enhanced the resilience of the euro area through closer economic coordination and stronger financial safeguards, providing a solid foundation for growth, jobs and prosperity across Europe.
Joining the euro area is governed by a set of transparent rules and criteria, ensuring equal treatment for countries on the road to joining the euro and underpinning a successful euro area membership. Today’s report covers the five non-euro area Member States that are legally committed to adopting the euro: Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Sweden.
The report is based on the convergence criteria, sometimes referred to as the ‘Maastricht criteria’, set out in article 140(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). These include price stability, sound public finances, exchange rate stability and long-term interest rate stability. The report also examines the compatibility of Member States’ national legislation with the Treaty and with the Statutes of the European System of Central Banks and European Central Bank (ECB).
The report concludes that Member States covered in the report display various degrees of nominal convergence:
Czechia and Sweden fulfil the price stability criterion.
Czechia and Sweden fulfil the criterion on public finances.
Czechia and Sweden fulfil the long-term interest rate criterion.
None of the five Member States is a member of the Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM II): at least two years of participation in the mechanism without severe tensions is required before joining the euro area.
Therefore, none of these Member States currently meets all of the criteria for joining the euro area.
The Commission’s assessment is complemented by the ECB’s own Convergence Report, which has also been published today.
Overall assessment of preparedness
National legislation in the monetary field is not fully compatible with the rules of the Economic and Monetary Union in the five non-euro area EU Member States examined.
The Commission has also analysed additional factors referred to in the Treaty that should be taken into account in the assessment of the sustainability of convergence. This analysis found that the non-euro area Member States are generally well-integrated economically and financially in the EU. Nevertheless, some of them show macroeconomic vulnerabilities and/or face challenges related to their business environment and institutional framework which need to be addressed to underpin the sustainability of the convergence process.
Eurobarometer: overall support for the euro in non-euro area Member States
According to the latest Eurobarometer survey, the majority of citizens (57%) in the EU Member States that have yet to adopt the euro think that the common currency has had a positive impact on those countries that already use it. A majority also believe that introducing the euro would have positive consequences for their own country (51%) and for them personally (52%).
Overall, as regards attitudes towards introducing the euro, 52% of respondents are in favour of their country introducing the euro. Support is especially pronounced in Hungary (80%) and Romania (65%), followed by Sweden (51%), Poland (43%) and Czechia (42%). Favourability is picking up particularly strongly in Hungary, up 5 points compared to last year.
The Flash Eurobarometer 583 was conducted between 17 April and 4 May 2026 in the five non-euro area Member States that are legally committed to adopting the euro: Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Sweden.
Background
The Convergence Report prepared by the European Commission forms the basis for a possible Commission proposal for a Council of the EU decision on the adoption of the euro by a Member State.
The Commission’s report is published in parallel with the convergence report of the ECB.
Convergence reports are issued every two years, or in response to a specific request by a Member State to assess its readiness to join the euro area, e.g. Latvia in 2013, Bulgaria in 2025.
All Member States, except Denmark, are legally committed to join the euro area. Denmark, which negotiated an opt-out arrangement in the Maastricht Treaty, is therefore not covered by the report.
For more information
Questions and answers: Convergence report 2026
European Commission Convergence Report 2026
ECB Convergence Report 2026
Flash Eurobarometer 583: Introduction of the euro in the Member States that have not yet adopted the common currency
Previous convergence reports
The Euro area
Economic and Monetary Union
Quote(s)
In the current geopolitical reality, the euro is one of Europe’s key assets for our long-term prosperity, resilience and sovereignty. This is why we are actively working to strengthen it: by increasing its international role, making the digital euro a reality, and welcoming new Member States into the euro area.
Valdis Dombrovskis, Commissioner for Economy and Productivity; Implementation and Simplification
For media coverage:
Mr. Raffaele Fitto, Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms, and Costas Kadis Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans will be visiting Cyprus on 25-26 June 2026
Tomorrow, 25 June 2025, Executive Vice-President Fitto will begin his programme with a Bilateral meeting with President Christodoulides at the Presidential Palace [09:00-10:00 EEST], followed by Press statement [exit doorstep].
The EVP as part of the ‘Right to Stay’ initiative, will undertake a field visit at Ayios Ioannis village [Pitsilia area, Limassol District 11:30 – 13:00], followed by Visit to Troodos Observatory an EU funded project [15:30 – 16:15 EEST].
On Friday 26 June EVP Fitto will deliver a speech on EU strategy on islands in the context of the High-level conference “Strengthening islands and coastal communities of the European Union” in PAFOS [09:50 – 10:30 EEST].
During the same conference, Commissioner Kadis will present the EU strategy for coastal communities [09:50 – 10:30 EEST]
Commission to issue pound 80 billion in EU-Bonds in second half of 2026
The European Commission has announced its intention to issue up to pound 80 billion of EU-Bonds in the second half of 2026. This will bring the total planned EU-Bond issuance for 2026 to pound 180 billion, in line with the Commission’s earlier indication for the year.
The proceeds will be used to fund EU policy programmes financed through borrowing on capital markets. These include disbursements to EU Member States under the NextGenerationEU programme, support for Ukraine (including payments under the new Ukraine Support Loan), disbursements under the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument, and contributions to other EU programmes.
The Commission will continue to carry out all issuances under its unified funding approach, using a mix of long-term and short-term instruments. This approach enables the Commission to meet disbursement needs across the increasing range of policy programmes funded by capital market operations, supporting a stable pattern of EU-Bond issuances.
For more information on this, please see our dedicated press release.
(For more information: Balazs Ujvari – Tel.: +32 2 295 45 78; Isabel Otero Barderas – Tel.: +32 2 296 69 25)
Updated legislation to make voting in municipal elections simpler and easier for mobile EU citizens
Today, the European Union updated its legislation to make it simpler for mobile EU citizens-EU citizens living in another Member State than the one they are from-to vote and stand as candidates in municipal elections. The revised Directive is part of a broader effort to reinforce democracy across the EU, including by strengthening democratic institutions and free and fair electoral processes.
The Directive, proposed by the European Commission in November 2021, requires Member States to provide timely and clear information on election dates, voting procedures, and the rights of voters and candidates. Member States must ensure this information is provided in a language widely understood by the voters – that is, at least one other official EU language that is either the most studied foreign language across the EU or broadly understood in the Member State of residence. The Directive simplifies the registration process for both voters and candidates, and guarantees that mobile EU citizens have access to the same voting arrangements as nationals.
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, said: “Local elections are at the heart of democratic participation in community life. Citizens who have built their lives in another Member State must have a say, free from unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles. These revised rules deliver on that guarantee, ensuring that mobile EU citizens can seamlessly exercise their electoral rights’
Michael McGrath, Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, said: “The right to vote and participate in municipal elections is a cornerstone of EU citizenship. There are 14 million mobile EU citizens in the EU (EU citizens living in another Member State). Today’s entry into force will ensure that all of them can exercise their voting rights freely and without hurdles – which is an essential part of our democracies.”
Member States will now have until 26 June 2028 to transpose the Directive into their national laws. The Commission will report on the effective application of the Directive every six years.
(For more information: Markus Lammert – Tel: +32 2 296 75 33; Antoine Lomba – Tel.: +32 2 299 32 33)
EU grants access to funding under the EU4Health programme to the Republic of North Macedonia
Today, the EU will sign an agreement associating the Republic of North Macedonia to the EU4Health programme. With the entry into force of the agreement, the health authorities and the wider health community from the Republic of North Macedonia will be able to fully benefit from EU funding opportunities under the EU4Health programme to build stronger, more resilient and more accessible health systems, on an equal footing with EU Member States, Norway, Iceland, Ukraine, Moldova, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Serbia.
Applying retroactively as of 1 January 2026, both public and private health sector entities in the Republic of North Macedonia will be able to access funding opportunities through open calls, direct grants, and joint actions. These funding opportunities will help to improve prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care in critical areas such as cardiovascular disease and cancer, contributing to the European Health Data Space, developing strategies for critical medicines and medicine stockpiling, strengthening mental health services especially for young people, and tackling cross-border health threats.
Olivér Várhelyi, Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, said: ‘I warmly welcome today’s agreement, through which the Republic of North Macedonia will be able to strengthen its healthcare sector with the support of EU funds. This agreement is a concrete step in deepening our health cooperation and protecting people’s.’
Read more about the programme online.
(For more information: Eva Hrncirova – Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Maëlys Dreux – Tel.: +32 2 295 46 73)
EU-China Environment Policy Dialogue discusses biodiversity, plastic and chemical pollution, and multilateral cooperation ahead of key international meetings
Yesterday, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience, and a Competitive Circular Economy Jessika Roswall hosted the 11th EU-China Environment Policy Dialogue. Minister for Ecology and Environment of China, Huang Runqiu co-chaired the dialogue. The high-level meeting is an occasion for both parties to reaffirm their commitment to close cooperation on environmental matters, ahead of COP17 on biodiversity in Armenia, UNCCD COP17 in Mongolia, UN Water Conference and the resumption of work on the Global Plastics Treaty.
During the dialogue, both parties acknowledged the need to accelerate global efforts to implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the need to advance on key priorities, such as the Cali Fund for sharing the benefits of Digital Sequence Information. They also recognised the importance of ongoing work on nature credits to unlock private biodiversity financing.
Both parties also exchanged on the need for a Global Plastic Treaty. They reaffirmed their joint commitment to deepen exchanges, both at political and technical levels, and to make positive joint contributions to develop an international binding instrument to end rising global plastic pollution.
Commissioner Roswall and Minister Huang also stressed the importance of finding solutions to chemical pollution and discussed approaches for prevention and control, notably regarding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS, known as ‘forever chemicals’), which represents a global challenge.
This high-level meeting was an opportunity to discuss environmental multilateralism and the importance for the two partners to coordinate ahead of key multilateral processes. Another meeting is already planned for 2026 with the 7th High Level Environment and Climate Dialogue to be co-chaired by Executive Vice-President for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, Teresa Ribera, and Vice Premier of China, Ding Xuexiang.
Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, Jessika Roswall, said: ‘In the current geopolitical context, effective diplomacy is more important than ever. The EU and China must continue to work together to finalise the negotiations on a global treaty to end plastic pollution, to implement our shared commitments on biodiversity, and strengthen environmental multilateralism.’
You can find more information on the 11th EU-China Environment Policy Dialogue online.
(For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Maëlys Dreux – Tel.: +32 2 295 46 73)
Commission welcomes political agreement on the Single Digital Declaration Portal to simplify posting of workers
The European Commission welcomes the political agreement reached yesterday between the European Parliament and the Council on the Regulation establishing a Single Digital Declaration Portal for the posting of workers.
The agreement delivers on the EU’s commitment under the Single Market Strategy to simplify rules and deepen the Single Market by reducing administrative burdens for businesses providing services across borders, while maintaining strong protections for posted workers.
The new Regulation will establish a common digital portal, available on a voluntary basis to Member States, enabling companies to submit posting declarations through a single interface in all EU languages. By streamlining reporting requirements and improving administrative cooperation between national authorities, the portal will enhance legal certainty, support the free movement of services, and contribute to a more integrated, digital, and competitive Single Market. It is a concrete deliverable under the One Europe, One Market roadmap.
The political agreement is now subject to formal adoption by the Parliament and the Council before the Regulation can enter into force.
(For more information: Siobhan McGarry – Tel.: +32 2 296 47 98; Rya Perincek – Tel.: +32 2 299 49 03)
Commission appoints a new Director in its Directorate-General for Research and Innovation
The European Commission appointed today Martin Špolc as Director for Prosperity within its Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD). This department is responsible for EU policy on research, science and innovation, with a view to help create growth and jobs and tackle our biggest societal challenges. The date of effect will be determined later.
With over 20 years of professional experience, Mr Špolc has built extensive expertise in economic, financial and climate policy, underpinned by a strong track record in shaping and delivering major European policy initiatives. Throughout his career, he has played a leading role in advancing key EU priorities, including post-crisis banking reforms, economic recovery, capital markets integration, sustainable finance and climate resilience. He combines strong strategic and analytical capabilities with substantial experience in leading multidisciplinary teams and developing policies at the intersection of competitiveness, innovation, investment and sustainability. He has demonstrated a proven ability to foster synergies across policy areas, mobilise investment and translate strategic objectives into impactful reforms. His extensive management experience, together with his strong organisational and stakeholder engagement skills, provide a solid foundation for leading the Directorate for Prosperity and contributing to the Union’s competitiveness and innovation agenda.
Martin Špolc, a Czech national, is currently Head of Unit for Preparedness and Adaptation to Climate Change in the Directorate-General for Climate Action (DG CLIMA). Previously, he served as Head of Unit for Sustainable Finance, Head of Unit for Capital Markets Union, and Head of Unit for Economic Analysis and Evaluation in the Directorate-General for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union (DG FISMA). Earlier in his career within DG FISMA, he held the positions of Deputy Head of Unit and Acting Head of Unit responsible for banking and financial conglomerates. He also served as Assistant to the Director-General in the Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (then DG MARKT). Mr Špolc joined the European Commission in 2005 as an Economic Analyst in the Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs (DG ECFIN). Prior to that, he worked in the private sector as a consultant specialising in risk management and corporate finance.
(For more information: Balazs Ujvari – Tel.: +32 2 295 45 78; Isabel Otero Barderas – Tel.: +32 2 296 69 25)
President von der Leyen in Gdansk for the Ukraine Recovery Conference
Tomorrow, President Ursula von der Leyen will participate in the Ukraine Recovery Conference, in Gdansk, Poland.
Co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine, the conference scheduled for 25 and 26 June marks the fifth edition of this annual high-level event dedicated to mobilising international support for Ukraine’s reconstruction and attracting investment in the country’s economy and businesses.
This year, the focus will be on the sectors most impacted by Russia’s full-scale war of aggression: energy, critical infrastructure, and logistics. For the first time, discussions will also cover Ukraine’s security capabilities.
The Commission plays a key role in maintaining international focus on Ukraine’s recovery, both during the war and in the post-war period. Over the course of the two-day event, it will present further initiatives demonstrating its steadfast commitment to the country.
On Thursday, President von der Leyen will deliver a speech at the high-level opening session of the conference, which will be broadcast live on EBS at +/- 10:35 CEST. The President of the European Council, António Costa, the Prime Minister of Poland, Donald Tusk, and the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Yulia Svyrydenko, will also take the floor in this opening session.
Later in the day, President von der Leyen will participate in a leaders’ session, before joining a working lunch of the Eastern Flank Summit with leaders of Poland, Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania and Sweden.
Commissioner for the Economy and Productivity, Implementation and Simplification, Valdis Dombrovskis, Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, and Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation Ekaterina Zaharieva will also participate in the conference.
In the margins of the conference, the members of the College present will hold bilateral meetings with other attendees and participate in side events focused on Ukraine’s reconstruction, defence, energy, economy and finance, as well as the country’s EU path. More details can be found in the Commissioners’ calendar of activities.
(For more information: Paula Pinho – Tel.: +32 498 98 25 31; Guillaume Mercier – Tel.: +32 460 75 53 11)
Tentative agendas for forthcoming Commission meetings
Note that these items can be subject to changes.
Upcoming events of the European Commission
Eurostat press releases
Calendar items of the President and Commissioners
Individual calendars of the President and Commissioners
Commission strengthens Europol and Eurojust to step up the fight against cross-border crime and terrorism
Today, the European Commission is proposing new measures to strengthen the EU’s response to an evolving criminal landscape. Crime is becoming more sophisticated, international and digital. To tackle serious crime effectively, police, customs, prosecutors and courts need to work closely together from the start of an investigation to the final court judgment.
Today’s proposals cover the full chain of EU support to Member States, from prevention, detection and investigation to judicial cooperation and effective prosecution. The package includes two regulations to strengthen the mandates of Europol and Eurojust, a revision of the European Investigation Order, and amendments to the Data Protection Regulation for Union institutions and bodies.
These measures will improve cooperation and complementarity between EU agencies and national authorities, including police, customs and courts. They will support more joint investigations, speed up prosecutions, and facilitate the exchange of information through a clearer legal framework and less administrative burden.
Europol and Eurojust are at the core of the EU’s response to organised criminal networks, terrorists and hostile actors that are operating across borders, globally and online, and increasingly abusing artificial intelligence. With these proposals, the Commission is delivering on President von der Leyen’s political guidelines and the EU’s internal security strategy, ProtectEU.
Europol: Fighting crime across borders
As the EU’s centre for law enforcement cooperation, Europol helps Member States connect information, expertise and investigations – this is key in investigating cross-border cases as no national authority holds the full picture of today’s criminal threats.
With the new rules, Europol will better support Member States with:
More efficient and secure information exchange: Automated and faster information sharing will enable real-time collaboration on investigations. Europol will establish a secure, scalable and sovereign cloud infrastructure, and a Police Shared Data Space, so investigators can work jointly – virtually – on common cases.
Stronger operational support for Member States: Europol Support Offices will be set up in Member States and staffed by police officers who have previously worked at Europol. This will ensure better use of Europol support and tools (e.g. in forensics and data analysis and by facilitating access to Europol’s systems).
A technology and innovation hub, providing for the first time an EU-wide picture of capability needs for law enforcement. It will also support Member States’ investment in joint research and development. This will help Member States invest together in critical technologies and ensure access to advanced capabilities. The tools developed will be made available via the European Police Shared Data Space directly to Member States’ law enforcement authorities.
Stronger cooperation with EU agencies and bodies (notably with Eurojust and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office).
Reinforced international cooperation with partner countries to jointly tackle global cross-border crime.
By automating processes and pooling common resources, these proposed measures will simplify workflows, reduce the administrative burden for Member States, and result in administrative savings and efficiency gains for the Agency and for Member States.
Eurojust: Stronger support to prosecutors and judicial authorities
The new mandate will significantly strengthen Eurojust’s capacity to support national authorities. It strengthens Eurojust across the following key areas:
Stronger capabilities and operational support: Eurojust will be able to act on its own initiative to identify links between cases, anticipate and decide on the need for coordination, help resolve jurisdiction issues, and support national authorities early in the process.
Further support in emerging areas of crime: Eurojust’s mandate will also be expanded to strengthen its involvement in emerging areas of crime, such as cybercrime, the violations of EU restrictive measures, or gender-based violence.
Stronger governance and decision-making: streamline decision-making, with more agile processes, administrative efficiency gains, and faster action in urgent and complex cases.
An integrated EU criminal justice system: Eurojust will improve and strengthen its cooperation with Europol and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. A new information system will allow to easily identify information and cases of relevance to both Eurojust and Europol.
Stronger international engagement by allowing engagement with third countries from an earlier point, making cooperation with third countries more flexible. Stronger cooperation will also be possible where financial commitments are needed or liaison prosecutors are seconded to Eurojust.
Strengthening the European Investigation Order and the Data Protection Regulation for Union institutions and bodies
The Commission is also proposing to update the European Investigation Order, a fast and standard procedure for the cross-border gathering of evidence from other Member States in criminal matters. The new rules will make it easier to apply the European Investigation Order by clarifying procedures and removing operational challenges.
It also introduces a new European Remote Participation Order to allow suspects, accused persons and victims to participate remotely in criminal court hearings from a different Member State.
The Commission is also proposing to update the Data Protection Regulation for Union institutions and bodies (EUDPR). The revised Regulation will allow for more effective cooperation across the EU criminal justice institutions and bodies, including by extending it to the EPPO.
For more information
Questions and answers
Factsheet – Europol
Factsheet – Eurojust
ProtectEU Internal Security Strategy
Cooperation with Europol
Eurojust
Taking of evidence in another EU country
Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol)
Impact assessment on the proposal for the Europol revision
Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Establishment of the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust)
Impact assessment report accompanying the document – Proposal for the Revision of the Eurojust Regulation
Proposal for a Regulation amending the Data Protection Regulation for EU Institutions and Bodies
Proposal for a Directive regarding the European Investigation Order
Annexes to the Proposal for a Directive regarding the European Investigation Order
Quote(s)
Criminals are highly adept at exploiting the opportunities of the digital realm, operating effectively across borders without limitations. With today’s proposals, we are strengthening both Europol and Eurojust so that Europe can respond faster, including in the fight against online criminal activities, share information more effectively, and bring criminals to justice more efficiently. Together, these reforms of Europol and Eurojust will reinforce the EU’s ability to protect our citizens in an increasingly complex and fast-changing security environment.
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy
This is an important moment for European security. By strengthening Europol’s mandate we send a clear message: the European Union is serious about staying ahead of evolving criminal threats. This is the European law enforcement community stepping into the future together.
Magnus Brunner, Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration
Serious organised crime is becoming increasingly sophisticated, digital and transnational. Eurojust must be equipped to keep pace with these evolving threats. This reform strengthens the Agency’s capacity to support national judicial authorities, coordinate complex cross-border investigations and enhance cooperation with partners across Europe and beyond. By modernising Eurojust’s mandate, we are reinforcing the rule of law and ensuring that justice can respond with the same speed and agility as the criminal networks it seeks to disrupt.
Michael McGrath, Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection
Commission welcomes political agreement to protect workers from cancer-causing chemicals
The European Commission welcomes the provisional agreement reached by the European Parliament and the Council on the sixth revision of the Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic substances Directive (CMRD).
Once formally adopted, the strengthened Directive can avert around 1,700 cases of lung cancer and 19,000 work-related illnesses over the next 40 years, while generating up to pound 1.16 billion in healthcare savings across the EU.
Science-backed action for healthier workplaces
The sixth revision of the CMRD sets clearer rules and protective exposure limits for high-risk substances such as cobalt and inorganic cobalt compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), 1,4-dioxane and isoprene.
Cobalt and inorganic cobalt compounds are used in battery production (e.g. for electric vehicles), as well as in the manufacturing of magnets and hard metals. The new rules introduce occupational exposure limits for both inhalable and respirable fractions of these substances. They introduce a 6-year transitional period with higher limits to allow industries time to adapt their processes and technologies, reducing economic disruption while improving safety standards and worker protection.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can be found in steel, iron and aluminium production, as well as in welding fumes. They are essential in the production of batteries storing energy produced by wind turbines, semiconductors and electric vehicles. The latest revision of the rules establishes a new exposure limit while a temporary limit twice as high will apply for 7 years after the Directive enters into force, to help the most affected sectors adapt.
1,4-dioxane is used in chemical and textile production and is present in some household detergents. The new rules include a general occupational exposure limit, a short-term exposure limit and a biological limit value to this substance.
Isoprene is used in the chemical and rubber industries. The new rules include a general occupational exposure limit to this substance.
In addition, the revised rules add welding fumes to the scope of the Directive, highlighting their possible danger for workers and clarifying employers’ obligations regarding necessary protective and preventive measures. They also include specific notations highlighting potential exposure to these substances through the skin or other routes.
Background
EU Directive 2004/37/EC sets minimum requirements to protect workers from exposure to carcinogens, mutagens or reprotoxic substances at work. In July 2025, the Commission proposed this sixth revision to strengthen protection against cobalt and inorganic cobalt compounds, PAHs, 1,4-dioxane and welding fumes. The proposal followed extensive consultation with social partners and scientific experts.
The sixth revision builds on five previous revisions of the CMRD, which together addressed more than 40 key hazardous chemicals and are expected to help save the lives of over 100,000 workers over the next 50 years.
This revision builds on the EU Strategic Framework on health and safety at work 2021-2027 and supports the goals outlined in the Quality Jobs Roadmap and the European Pillar of Social Rights on occupational health and safety. It also contributes to Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and the European Health Union by helping to ensure safer and healthier workplaces across the EU.
Next steps
The agreed text will now need to be formally adopted by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU. Once the Directive enters into force, Member States will be required to incorporate it into national law within the agreed deadline.
For more information
Official Journal of the European Union
Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion
Quote(s)
Cancer should never be the price of a job. Yet too many workers in Europe are still exposed to dangerous substances simply by doing their work. Behind every case is a person, a family, and a life changed forever. Today’s agreement will help prevent avoidable illness, save lives and make workplaces safer across Europe. By strengthening EU rules on carcinogens, mutagens and reprotoxic substances, we are delivering concrete protection for workers’ health and building on the Quality Jobs Roadmap. Safe and healthy working conditions are at the heart of quality jobs. This agreement is an important step towards a Europe where every worker can go to work without putting their health at risk.
Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness
Joint press statement: Strengthening the Strategic Partnership between the European Union and Kazakhstan
H.E. Mr. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, paid an official visit to Brussels on 23 June 2026 and met with H.E. Mr. António Costa, President of the European Council and H.E. Ms. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.
The leaders welcomed President Tokayev’s visit as a strong signal of the growing strategic partnership between the European Union and Kazakhstan at a time of increasing geopolitical importance for connectivity, energy security and resilient supply chains. They reaffirmed their ambition to deepen cooperation under the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA), that marked 10 years in 2025.
The Presidents highlighted the European Union’s role as Kazakhstan’s leading trade and investment partner and agreed to further reinforce the investment climate and strengthen cooperation in strategic sectors, including those under the EU’s Global Gateway strategy for Central Asia, notably critical raw materials, energy, transport, digitalisation and emerging technologies.
They underlined the strategic importance of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor and welcomed enhanced cooperation under the EU’s Global Gateway strategy. The leaders welcomed the signing of the Horizontal Aviation Agreement and the successful conclusion of discussions at negotiators’ level on the Visa Facilitation and Readmission Agreements, which will strengthen connectivity and people-to-people ties between Kazakhstan and the EU.
The Presidents reaffirmed the importance of cooperation on critical raw materials and committed to advancing the Roadmap for the implementation of the EU-Kazakhstan Strategic Partnership on Sustainable Raw Materials, Batteries and Renewable Hydrogen value chains. They also emphasised reliable energy cooperation, recognising Kazakhstan’s role as an important oil and uranium supplier to Europe and the potential for stronger cooperation in renewable and civil nuclear energy. They welcomed the ongoing constructive dialogue on sanctions.
The leaders welcomed strengthened cooperation with the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), including the signature of an EIB agreement supporting transport connectivity (EUR 150 million), and an EBRD Memorandum of Understanding for the development of an internationally accredited national chemical-analytical laboratory in Kazakhstan. These initiatives will be implemented in partnership with the EU, in a Team Europe approach. The opening of an EIB office in Astana was further encouraged, as foreseen in the 2025 EU-Central Asia Summit Declaration.
The Presidents welcomed the signing of a certificate agreement between Air Astana and Airbus covering up to 50 A320neo/A321neo aircrafts, worth EUR 7.145 billion, as a tangible example of the deepening EU-Kazakhstan cooperation in aviation, innovation, connectivity, and private sector investment.
The Presidents reaffirmed their commitment to climate action and the green energy transition while maintaining close dialogue to support competitiveness and economic cooperation. They also welcomed expanding cooperation in education, research and innovation, including through Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe.
The European Union recognised Kazakhstan’s ongoing political reform agenda and acknowledged the adoption of a new Constitution through a nationwide referendum in March 2026. The leaders welcomed continued dialogue on human rights, the rule of law and anti-corruption, including cooperation with the Venice Commission, as well as practical cooperation through TAIEX and Twinning programmes.
The Presidents reaffirmed their shared commitment to peace, security and stability, and to the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the peaceful settlement of disputes. They stressed the importance of effective multilateralism, with the United Nations at its core, and reiterated support for the peaceful resolution of conflicts. The leaders also underlined the importance of strengthening the global disarmament and non-proliferation regime, including support for nuclear-weapon-free zones. The European Union took note of Kazakhstan’s initiative to establish an International Water Organization within the United Nations system to address global water challenges.
The Presidents welcomed the upgrade of EU-Central Asia relations to a strategic partnership and highlighted the outcomes of the Regional Ecological Summit held in Astana in April 2026. They emphasised the importance of stronger regional cooperation in Central Asia to advance shared prosperity, resilience, sustainable development and stability.
EU and Kazakhstan strengthen strategic partnership during leaders’ meeting in Brussels
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the European Council, António Costa, welcomed today Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kazakhstan, in Brussels.
During the visit, the EU and Kazakhstan signed a joint press statement, as well as several agreements that will deliver for citizens and business on both sides. They include agreements on connectivity, in particular aviation, and critical raw materials. Likewise, both sides committed to following through investments under the Global Gateway strategy.
President von der Leyen said: ‘Kazakhstan is a global gateway, and so is Central Asia. The visit of President Tokayev today signals the growing partnership between the European Union and Kazakhstan. We are ready to turn that gateway into a pathway for jobs, business opportunities and common prosperity. Following the success of our first-ever EU-Central Asia Summit last year, our Global Gateway strategy will continue bringing our regions closer together.’
Better connections and more opportunities for European air carriers
A Horizontal Aviation Agreement signed today will improve air connectivity between the EU and Kazakhstan and bring new business opportunities to European airlines.
Under the agreement, all EU airlines can fly between Kazakhstan and any of the 17 Member States that have an air services agreement with Kazakhstan. This in contrast to the current situation in which airlines owned and controlled by the Member States in question, or by their nationals, are generally the ones that can benefit.
The agreement is a major achievement that has been in negotiation for over two decades.
Direct trade links through the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor
Under Global Gateway, a framework loan agreement for up to pound 150 million was signed between the European Investment Bank and the Kazakh National Road Company.
With a guarantee backed by the EU, this operation will finance the improvement of Kazakh roads along the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, a Global Gateway flagship that will create new, direct East-West trade routes and reduce reliance on neighbouring countries.
This follows the operation approved by the EU last October to support the modernisation of the Aktau Port.
An internationally accredited chemical-analytical laboratory for critical raw materials
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Kazakh Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding to support the feasibility study to build an internationally accredited chemical-analytical laboratory for critical raw materials in Astana.
Chemical-analytical laboratories test substances such as critical raw materials for safety and quality.
The EU is committed to deepening cooperation in this strategic sector and previously supported the pre-feasibility study for the laboratory.
This operation is also carried out under the Global Gateway banner.
Visa Facilitation Agreement and Readmission Agreement
Negotiations for the two agreements between the European Commission and Kazakhstan have concluded successfully, opening the internal procedures for their adoption.
Once adopted, the Visa Facilitation Agreement will make the process for Kazakh citizens to request a short-stay EU visa simpler, strengthening people-to-people contacts. Meanwhile the Readmission Agreement will facilitate the enforcement of the EU’s migration rules only days after the full entry into application of the Pact on Migration and Asylum.
The conclusion of the negotiations built on the significant progress and good cooperation with Kazakhstan to prevent the circumvention of EU sanctions.
EU-Kazakhstan Business Roundtable
In the margins of the leaders’ meeting, Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security and Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency, Maroš Šefcovic, and President Tokayev chaired a business roundtable with several European companies which are ready to do business in Kazakhstan.
In this context, Kazakhstan signed an agreement to buy up to 50 Airbus airplanes. This is a clear example of how European companies, big and small, are benefitting from the EU’s partnerships around the world.
Background
The EU-Kazakhstan relation is built on the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA), which has been in force since 2020.
The European Union is Kazakhstan’s first trade and investment partner, accounting for one third of Kazakhstan’s external trade.
Today’s meeting also builds on the first-ever EU-Central Asia Summit, held in 2025 in Samarkand, at which the European Union and the five Central Asian republics established a strategic partnership and the EU announced a Global Gateway investment package for pound 12 billion in the areas of transport, digital connectivity, water, energy, climate, and critical raw materials.
For more information
Joint press statement: Strengthening the Strategic Partnership between the European Union and Kazakhstan
Quote(s)
Kazakhstan is a global gateway, and so is Central Asia. The visit of President Tokayev today signals the growing partnership between the European Union and Kazakhstan. We are ready to turn that gateway into a pathway for jobs, business opportunities and common prosperity. Following the success of our first-ever EU-Central Asia Summit last year, our Global Gateway strategy will continue bringing our regions closer together.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission