The European Commission has today unveiled its 2026 work programme, which outlines a series of actions to help build a more sovereign and independent Europe. The work programme, entitled ‘Europe’s independence moment’, addresses current and future challenges arising from threats to our security and democracy, to conflicts and geopolitical tensions, to risks to our economy and industry, and accelerating climate change. It builds on the commitments set out in the Political Guidelines and mission letters sent by President von der Leyen to the College of EU Commissioners and the ideas set out in the 2025 State of the Union address.
The work programme doubles down on the current core priorities of the Commission by aiming to strengthen competitiveness, lead in clean and digital innovation, strengthen our unique social model and ensure collective security.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “The 2026 work programme marks another significant step towards a stronger, more sovereign Europe. We will continue working closely with the European Parliament and the Council to deliver on Europe’s priorities, to boost competitiveness, harness the power of our Single Market, simplify our rules and address the affordability crisis. Together, we will protect our citizens and uphold our values.”
Simplification and implementation as a focus
In 2026, the Commission will continue to cut red tape for people, business and administrations. The first overview report on simplification, implementation and enforcement, also adopted today, highlights the progress achieved so far – such as the six omnibus packages and other simplification proposals aiming to bring over pound 8.6 billion in annual cost savings for business and citizens.
Many of next year’s initiatives will also focus on making EU laws simpler and reducing costs. Several simplification proposals are foreseen across key sectors – including automotive, environment, taxation, food and feed safety, medical devices and simplifying energy product legislation. At the same time, implementation dialogues and reality checks will continue to help the Commission identify further simplification opportunities, including to reduce burdens for citizens.
The overview report presents Commission measures to support Member States when implementing EU policies, as well as key enforcement statistic and actions. The Commission is actively pursuing over 1,500 ongoing infringement cases to achieve the full implementation of EU rules, and therefore their benefits for people and businesses.
A more sovereign and independent Europe: key deliverables of 2026 work programme
Sustainable prosperity and competitiveness: The Commission will pursue its work to strengthen Europe’s industrial base and support Europe’s strategic industrial sectors and jobs through a new Industrial Accelerator Act. It will increase Europe’s resilience in critical raw materials supply through the creation of a Critical Raw Materials Centre, as well as the Circular Economy Act. And it will aim to substantially unlock the potential of the Single Market by 2028 by removing barriers, establishing a European Innovation Act, setting up a 28th regime for innovative companies and promoting a ‘fifth freedom’ for knowledge and innovation.
Defence and security: We will build on Readiness 2030 framework strengthening the EU’s defence capabilities and enhancing cooperation with strategic partners are key priorities. We will work on flagships as European Drone Defence Initiative, which is essential for the Eastern Flank Watch. The Commission will also reinforce the protection of the Union’s borders, fighting organised crime and enhancing cross-border critical communication systems. We will focus on putting the Pact on Migration and Asylum into practice.
Social model and innovation: To address issues that European families face every day we will put forward a series of measures to address affordability and costs of living crisis facing Europeans. We will propose a Quality Jobs Act. The Fair and labour mobility package, including the skills mobility initiative will make the qualifications more portable. Root causes of poverty and the housing crisis will be addressed.
Quality of life – food, water, nature: The Commission will put forward the livestock strategy and review rules on unfair trading practices in the food chain to support European farmers. It will ensure climate resilience through the European climate adaptation plan. The Ocean Act will guide European ocean governance.
Democracy and Rule of Law: The Commission will help to shield democratic institutions against extremism and disinformation, enhance consumer protection and review anti-fraud measures. We will look closely at issues around young people, particularly children and social media building on recommendations of the Panel of experts. The Commission will continue building on the Equality Union through new strategies on gender equality and disability rights.
Global engagement: Global partnerships will be reinforced, and EU will continue to stand firmly with Ukraine, providing steadfast support for its urgent financial and military needs and reconstruction efforts. And its EU integration efforts will continue to be supported, alongside Moldova. Humanitarian aid will also be reformed for faster, more effective crisis responses. We will roll out our Pact for Mediterranean. We will put forward a Middle East strategy, including supporting the transition in Syria and Lebanon.
Preparation for the Union of tomorrow
Ambitious policies need to be underpinned by ambitious resources, as outlined in the recent proposal for a Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), amounting to almost pound 2 trillion. Therefore, the Commission in parallel calls on the European Parliament and the Council to swiftly agree on this framework and to advance the key legislative priorities.
Background
Every year, the Commission adopts a work programme setting out the list of actions it will take in the following year. The work programme informs the public and co-legislators of political commitments to present new initiatives, including simplification proposals, withdraw pending proposals and review existing EU legislation. The work programme is the result of close cooperation with the European Parliament, Member States and the EU consultative bodies.
For more information
2026 Commission work programme
2025 Overview Report on simplification
Questions and answers on the 2026 Commission work programme
Questions and answers on the 2025 Overview Report
Factsheet on the 2026 Commission work programme
Factsheet on the 2025 Overview Report
Quote(s)
The 2026 work programme marks another significant step towards a stronger, more sovereign Europe. We will continue working closely with the European Parliament and the Council to deliver on Europe’s priorities, to boost competitiveness, harness the power of our Single Market, simplify our rules and address the affordability crisis. Together, we will protect our citizens and uphold our values.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
This work programme is designed to strengthen EU competitiveness, security and democracy – in line with the expectations of our citizens. We are putting a clear and ambitious plan on the table to address the many challenges we face, and we will work hard with the co-legislators to turn its promise into reality.
Maroš Šefcovic, Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security; Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency
A competitive Europe needs rules that work – rules that are simple, smart, and swiftly implemented, empowering people and businesses rather than burdening them. In just six months, we have turned ambition into action: six Omnibus packages, pound 8.6 billion in annual savings, and a renewed focus on implementation and enforcement. And this is only the beginning. With the 2026 Commission work programme adopted today, we are launching the next wave of simplification – building a culture that values results over bureaucracy, and efficiency over complexity.
Valdis Dombrovskis, Commissioner for Economy and Productivity; Implementation and Simplification
EU strengthens cross-regional cooperation with Black Sea countries, the South Caucasus and Central Asia
On 20 October, the EU brought together foreign ministers and representatives from EU Member States, Armenia, Azerbaijan, the Republic of Moldova, Trkiye, Ukraine, and Central Asian partners (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) to discuss the Cross-Regional Connectivity Agenda – whose aim is to link the EU with Central Asia via Trkiye and the South Caucasus. This initiative will coordinate strategic investments to boost trade, and socio-economic development through resilient and efficient transport, energy and digital connections- with sustainability and the green transition at its core.
This meeting follows the EU’s strategic approach to the Black Sea region and the EU-Central Asia Summit.
From the EU side, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas, Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, and Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela took part in the discussions.
In the meetings, participants affirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation in areas of common interest, enhancing mutual resilience and promoting more connected, secure and prosperous regions. Participants also discussed ways to enhance cooperation on shared security interests.
Enhancing security, stability, and resilience in the Black Sea region
The Black Sea region, a key bridge between Europe and Asia, plays a vital role in international trade and the transit of grains, energy and critical raw materials – making it central to regional and global security.
In a first ministerial session, EU Member States and Black Sea countries confirmed the essential importance of cross-regional security, including maritime security. The EU expressed its readiness to step up the support for Member States and partners building up maritime capacities, including monitoring, protecting critical infrastructure and countering hybrid threats.
Initiatives for broadening coast-guard cooperation in the region, supporting demining initiatives and addressing risks related to shadow fleet were also discussed, building on lessons learned in the Mediterranean and the Baltic Seas. These efforts are part of EU contributions to the security of Ukraine and ensuring resilience in the Black Sea region.
Launching the Cross-Regional Connectivity Agenda
In a second ministerial session, EU representatives, along with ministers from EU Member States, Black Sea and South Caucasus countries and Central Asia countries discussed an ambitious Cross-Regional Connectivity Agenda, which aims to explore economic opportunities and foster long-term shared prosperity, cooperation and peace.
The focus is on sustainable and resilient connections, in four priority areas:
Transport: strengthening the cross-regional Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor (TCTC) and the extension of our transport connections.
Digital: developing high-speed internet access to drive innovation, digital trade, and secure critical infrastructure.
Energy: improving energy links and accelerating renewable energy deployment to enhance energy security and diversification.
Trade: harmonising and digitalising customs procedures to simplify cross-border trade and deepen market integration.
Building on existing initiatives, the Connectivity Agenda will be central to resilience and future economic growth across the wider region.
The discussions underscored the importance of coordination among the different participants. The Commission will work towards a proposal for a coordination framework building on existing practices and bringing together participating countries, international financial institutions, private investors and interested third parties. The framework will be presented and further elaborated at the TCTC Investors and Connectivity Forum in Tashkent (Uzbekistan) on 27 November 2025. In parallel, a mapping of existing analyses and ongoing investments in the four priority areas will guide future discussions among stakeholders on priority investments and soft connectivity measures.
Quote(s)
The Black Sea Region is of strategic importance to the EU. Russia’s war in Ukraine has dangerous spillover effects across the region. Moscow’s military build-up, its shadow fleet, drifting mines, and the jamming of ships’ data systems, are collective security challenges that require a collective response. Beyond the Black Sea, the war has impacted overland trade between Asia and the EU. Together with our Central Asian partners, we will diversify connectivity between our regions and give ourselves more trade, energy and digital opportunities.
Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission
Before Russia’s war of aggression, most overland trade between Asia and EU moved though Russia. Today, that route is closed. We need alternatives. That is why all those countries stretching from Europe to the borders of China have come to Luxembourg. It is the first time this is happening. We all know that relying on a single supplier for energy or critical goods makes us vulnerable. By building new infrastructure together, we can give ourselves more freedom to act and more options for trade, for where we buy energy, and for how we transfer digital data. More options mean more independence, for everyone.
Marta Kos, Commissioner for Enlargement
Central Asia is a dynamic region with a young generation and strong potential to work with Europe under the Global Gateway. Together, we can turn this potential into real opportunities. Reliable connectivity – in transport, energy and digital networks – is the foundation for that. By strengthening these links between our regions, we can foster trade, create jobs, and build lasting prosperity on both sides.
Jozef Síkela, Commissioner for International Partnerships
Statement by President Zelenskyy, Prime Minister Starmer, Chancellor Merz, President Macron, Prime Minister Meloni, Prime Minister Tusk, President von der Leyen, President Costa, Prime Minister Støre, President Stubb and Prime Minister Frederiksen on Peace for Ukraine
We are all united in our desire for a just and lasting peace, deserved by the people of Ukraine.
We strongly support President Trump’s position that the fighting should stop immediately, and that the current line of contact should be the starting point of negotiations. We remain committed to the principle that international borders must not be changed by force.
Russia’s stalling tactics have shown time and time again that Ukraine is the only party serious about peace. We can all see that Putin continues to choose violence and destruction.
Therefore we are clear that Ukraine must be in the strongest possible position – before, during, and after any ceasefire. We must ramp up the pressure on Russia’s economy and its defence industry, until Putin is ready to make peace. We are developing measures to use the full value of Russia’s immobilised sovereign assets so that Ukraine has the resources it needs.
Leaders will meet later this week in the European Council and in the Coalition of the Willing format to discuss how to take this work forward and to further support Ukraine.