New guidelines from the European Commission set out how state aid rules allow EU Member States to facilitate investment and provide social assistance. These guidelines help Member States to plan state aid for investment and social support, as set out in the Clean Industry Pact. A tool for managing state aid in the social sector […]
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The entry and exit system has been fully operational since 10 April 2026. Who is exempt?
The Entry/Exit System (EES) has been fully operational at all external border crossing points within the Schengen area since 10 April 2026. Designed to modernise border management and enhance the EU’s security, the system has recorded more than 145 million entries and exits since its launch. The EES applies to non-EU nationals travelling to the Schengen […]
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European Commission renews its commitment to the European Pillar of Social Rights
Last July 22, the European Commission adopted a Communication on the European Pillar of Social Rights. It confirms that the Pillar remains the EU’s social shield and compass for fairness in an age of fast transformation, for a Europe that protects and empowers citizens. The Communication assesses progress made in strengthening social rights across the EU and […]
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The Commission and the International Labour Organisation set out a renewed strategic agenda for social justice, quality jobs and a people-centred future of work
The European Commission and the ILO share a commitment to building a fair future for work. Both institutions confirmed their joint support for: multilateral cooperation and international labour standards decent work, quality jobs and robust labour market institutions inclusive labour markets and greater social cohesion They emphasised that social justice and fundamental rights in the […]
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The Commission and the High Representative are proposing a new sanctions regime to combat the smuggling of migrants, human trafficking and other forms of violence
The European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy have today proposed a new EU sanctions regime to combat the smuggling of migrants, human trafficking and other serious forms of organised crime, including trafficking in firearms and illicit drugs, as well as money laundering. The President of the […]
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The Commission has registered the European Citizens’ Initiative calling for an unconditional basic income
On 7 July, the European Commission registered a European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) entitled ‘Introduction of an unconditional basic income (UBI) across the EU’. The organisers of the initiative believe that,“with rapid advances in artificial intelligence and robotics, there is an urgent need to decouple our livelihoods from our ability to sell our labour, as we […]
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8th edition of the Madrid Summit, an international conference on the challenges facing the LGBTIQ community
On 3 July 2026, Madrid hosted the 8th edition of the Madrid Summit, a conference focusing on the main challenges currently facing the LGBTQIA+ community in Europe and internationally. Launched in 2017 during WorldPride Madrid, the Summit has established itself as a leading forum for analysing the challenges affecting LGBTIQA people around the world. This […]
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Specialist prosecutors step up the fight against human trafficking
On 17 and 18 June, the Working Group of Prosecutors Specialising in Human Trafficking met at Eurojust’s headquarters in The Hague. The meeting was co-chaired by the EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator and focused on recent developments in the fight against human trafficking. This fifth meeting of the Working Group addressed the practical challenges of applying the […]
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The Commission welcomes the political agreement on criminal law provisions against the sexual abuse of children
The Commission welcomes the political agreement reached yesterday, 22 June 2026, with the European Parliament and the Council on the Directive updating criminal law provisions on the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children. Worrying trends such as the proliferation of child abuse material generated by artificial intelligence (AI) make today’s agreement all the more […]
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