In 2023, the actual weekly working hours for people aged 20-64 in their main job, in the EU, averaged 36.1 hours. A closer look at EU countries reveals notable differences. The longest working weeks were recorded in Greece (39.8 hours), Romania (39.5), Poland (39.3) and Bulgaria (39.0). By contrast, the Netherlands had the shortest working […]
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Joint statement of the parties to the European Economic Area Agreement on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of its entry into force
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the entry into force of the European Economic Area (EEA) Agreement. The EEA Agreement, which unites our States in the internal market, has been the bedrock of our close and special partnership. It has greatly contributed to the prosperity of our societies and economies. This exceptional milestone invites […]
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Council adopts updated Schengen Borders Code
The Council has given its final approval to a new Schengen Borders Code, the EU’s rulebook that deals with the management of internal and external borders as well as the rules governing border control of persons crossing the external EU borders. The reform is instrumental in making the Schengen area more resilient to present and […]
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New Eurobarometer shows Europeans’ positive attitude towards language learning
A vast majority of Europeans (86%) believe that everyone should speak at least one foreign language, and almost three out of five (59%) can have a conversation in one. These are some of the results of the new Eurobarometer on “Europeans and their languages” that the Commission published. Coinciding with the world day for cultural diversity, […]
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CJEU Judgment: frontier workers must enjoy the same social advantages as resident workers
A Belgian national works in Luxembourg and lives in Belgium. As a frontier worker, he depends on the Luxembourg system for family allowances, which he received for several years for a child placed in his household by a court order. In 2017, the Luxembourg Caisse pour l’avenir des enfants (CAE) (Children’s Future Fund) nevertheless withdrew […]
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EIB and MicroBank to provide €200 million to finance microenterprises and self-employed in Spain
The EIB and MicroBank have signed a €100 million loan that MicroBank will top up with a further €100 million to provide microloans to small businesses and self-employed individuals wanting to launch or expand their businesses. The transaction will boost job creation, especially among young entrepreneurs in need of liquidity to turn their ideas into business […]
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International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU
Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia have no place in the European Union or anywhere in the world. Ensuring that no one is left behind requires us to focus on fighting inequalities and multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination. Equality, freedom and justice must apply to everyone regardless of their actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender […]
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A Spanish institution among the 2023 Champions for Gender Equality in Research and Innovation
The Commission has announced the three winners of the 2023 Gender Equality Champions Award: Universitat Rovira i Virgili from Spain, the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) from France, as well as the Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest from Ireland. Each winner will receive a prize of EUR 100 000. Iliana Ivanova, […]
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The Council adopts the EU’s pact on migration and asylum
The Council adopted a landmark reform of the European asylum and migration system. This establishes a set of rules that will help to manage arrivals in an orderly way, create efficient and uniform procedures and ensure fair burden sharing between member states. Complete overhaul of EU asylum and migration system The Council today adopted in […]
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