July infringements package: key decisions

Migration, Home Affairs and Security Union

Letters of formal notice

Fight against terrorism: Commission urges CYPRUS, CZECHIA, GREECE, SPAIN and LITHUANIA to ensure correct transposition of EU rules on combating terrorism

The Commission decided today to open infringement procedures by sending letters of formal notice to Cyprus, Czechia, Greece, Spain and Lithuania for failing to correctly transpose certain elements of the EU rules on combating terrorism (Directive (EU) 2017/541). The Directive on combating terrorism is a key element of the EU’s Counter-Terrorism Agenda and includes provisions that criminalise and sanction terrorist-related offences, such as travelling abroad to commit a terrorist offence, returning to or travelling within the EU for such activities, training for terrorist purposes and financing terrorism. In addition, EU rules set out special provisions for victims of terrorism to ensure they have access to reliable information as well as professional and specialist support services, in the immediate aftermath of an attack and for as long as necessary. Member States had to transpose the Directive into national law by 8 September 2018. Cyprus, Czechia, Greece, Spain and Lithuania now have two months to respond to the arguments put forward by the Commission. Otherwise, the Commission may send a reasoned opinion.

Jobs and social rights

Letters of formal notice

Posting of workers: Commission calls on 24 Member States to comply with EU Posting of Workers Enforcement Directive

The Commission decided today to open infringement procedures by sending letters of formal notice to Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia and Finland for failing to bring various national provisions in line with the Enforcement Directive on Posting of Workers (2014/67/EU). The Enforcement Directive aims to strengthen the practical application of the rules on posting of workers by addressing issues related to fighting fraud and circumvention of rules, access to information, and administrative cooperation between EU Member States. In particular, the Enforcement Directive defines the administrative requirements and control measures that Member States may impose to monitor compliance with the rules on posting of workers; defends the rights of posted workers and protects them from retaliation (unfavourable treatment by their employer in case they take legal or administrative action against the employer if their rights are not respected); ensures that the rights of posted workers in subcontracting situations are protected; ensures the effective application and collection of administrative penalties and fines across EU Member States; obliges Member States to put in place effective, proportionate and dissuasive penalties. The Commission is engaging in a dialogue with the 24 EU Member States who have not correctly transposed some or all of the above-mentioned provisions of the Directive. The Commission intends to ensure that the rules in place will allow for posting of workers to continue on the Single Market without unnecessary hindrances for employers, while ensuring the rights of the posted workers. The Member States concerned now have two months to take the necessary measures, otherwise the Commission may decide to send reasoned opinions.

Overview by policy area

In its regular package of infringement decisions, the European Commission pursues legal action against Member States for failing to comply with their obligations under EU law. These decisions, covering various sectors and EU policy areas, aim to ensure the proper application of EU law for the benefit of citizens and businesses.

The key decisions taken by the Commission are presented below and grouped by policy area. The Commission is also closing 108 cases in which the issues with the Member States concerned have been solved without the Commission needing to pursue the procedure further.

For more information on the EU infringement procedure, see the full Q&A. For more detail on all decisions taken, consult the infringement decisions’ register.