In the first half of 2025, there were 1 279 million overnight stays in tourist accommodations across the EU, a 2.3% increase compared with the first 6 months of 2024 (1 249 million). At country level, Malta (12.7%), Latvia (8.6%) and Poland (8.5%) had the highest increases in the share of overnight stays in tourism accommodation in the […]
Commission proposes fishing opportunities for 2025
Today, the Commission published its proposal to set catch limits, or total allowable catches (TACs), for ten fish stocks in the EU waters in the Atlantic Ocean, Kattegat, and Skagerrak for 2025. The proposal is based on scientific advice and covers fish stocks managed solely by the EU in those sea basins. Following the available scientific advice from the International Council for the […]
Putting culture at the heart of European cities
Europe’s identity is defined by its rich and diverse cultural heritage. Nowhere is this more evident than in the many different towns and cities dotted across our continent. This is something to be celebrated. That is why, every year, the EU rewards and recognises two or three cities as a European Capital of Culture, in […]
EU annual budget for 2025: Council agrees its position on the draft budget
The Council’s reached an agreement on its position on the 2025 EU draft budget. In total, the Council’s position for next year’s budget amounts to €191.53 billion in commitments and €146.21 billion in payments, not including appropriations foreseen for special instruments outside the MFF. Overall, the Council takes a prudent approach. The Council stresses the […]
Access City Award 2025
Applications for the Access City Award 2025 are open from 27 June 2024 until 10 September 2024 at 23:59 CEST. Applications must be made by completing and submitting an online application by 10 September 2024 23:59h at the latest. This year is particularly important as it marks the 15th anniversary of the award. Over the […]
EU Budget 2025 aims to reinforce funding for Europe’s priorities
The Commission has proposed an annual EU budget of €199.7 billion for 2025. The budget will be complemented by an estimated €72 billion of disbursements under NextGenerationEU. This substantial financial envelope will support the EU in meeting its political priorities while integrating the changes agreed in the mid-term revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) in […]
Budget 2025: Council agrees on guidelines for next year’s EU budget
The Council reached an agreement on its guidelines for the 2025 EU budget. The approved guidelines will provide political guidance to the Commission in preparing the budget for next year. In its conclusions, the Council underlines that the EU budget for 2025 has a key role in the development and delivery of the long-term objectives […]
Spanish city Viladecans, winner of the European Green Leaf 2025 Award
The winners of the European Green Cities 2025 Awards were announced in Tallinn, Estonia, this year’s European Green Capital. Vilnius (Lithuania) will be the 2025 European Green Capital, and the title of European Green Leaf 2025 for smaller cities went to Viladecans (Spain) and Treviso (Italy). The jury crowned Vilnius as the 2025 European Green Capital Winner, and especially liked their down […]
European Commission takes action against Spain and other Member States to ensure transposition of EU directives
The Commission has adopted a package of infringement decisions due to the absence of communication by Member States of measures taken to transpose EU directives into national law. The Commission has sent a letter of formal notice to those Member States who have failed to notify national measures transposing directives in time. In this package, […]