Commission unveils 2027 work programme for a stronger and sovereign Europe and reports on simplification efforts

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.

Today, the Commission adopted its 2027 work programme, setting out its main legislative and non-legislative initiatives for the year ahead. It is accompanied by the 2026 annual overview report on simplification, implementation and enforcement, taking stock of progress towards simpler EU rules and more effective results on the ground. At a time of major changes, the European Union is redefining itself to build a more independent, secure and prosperous Europe.

President Ursula von der Leyen said: “We are equipping Europe for the challenges to come. Our 2027 work programme sets out ambitious policies to strengthen our Union’s footprint. From deepening the Single Market to expanding our global partnerships. With strategic, streamlined policies, we will keep building a strong, independent Europe. A Europe that delivers for its citizens and businesses.”

In 2027, the Commission will focus on delivering, implementing and enforcing on our ambitious policies. It will continue to implement the One Europe, One Market roadmap to boost competitiveness, deepen the Single Market and cut red tape and barriers to growth across Europe. The work programme also sets out how the Commission will strengthen our unique social model, reduce strategic dependencies, strengthen the EU’s defence, support Ukraine, expand global partnerships and protect democracy and citizens. New initiatives will be clear, agile and fit for purpose.

Delivering on Europe’s priorities also means ensuring that its rules work in practice, without imposing unnecessary burdens. The Annual Report sets out the progress made in clearing the path to a simpler, more competitive Europe.

Robust analysis of evidence and active engagement with a wide range of stakeholders are essential for effective legislation. During implementation dialogues, College members have engaged directly with over 1,500 stakeholders – including industry representatives, civil society, social partners, business associations and public authorities at all levels.

In parallel, the enforcement of EU legislation has increased in pace. The Commission launched 874 infringement procedures, the highest number in ten years; referred 61 cases to the Court of Justice and requested financial sanctions in 25 cases. The Commission closed 499 infringement procedures as Member States complied with EU law. It will continue to speed up enforcement, across all areas, including with a focus on the Single Market.

Key deliverables of the 2027 work programme

• Promoting sustainable prosperity and competitiveness: The Commission will take coordinated action to address high energy prices, strengthen its economy and further eliminate barriers to the Single Market. The Commission will create a European Corporation on Critical Raw Materials. It will table proposals to complete the Savings and Investments Union, including the venture capital framework reform and the Bank competitiveness and simplification package. It will tap the potential of Artificial Intelligence by proposing a blueprint for AI in health, transport, agri-food, manufacturing and defence and space. To ensure that technologies serve both people and our competitiveness, the Commission will propose a digital transformation package.
• Supporting people, strengthening our societies and social model: The Commission will continue work to reinforce and will restate commitment to the enduring principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights. It will build on the EU’s Affordable Housing Plan to increase access to affordable housing through a housing simplification package. The Commission will propose European university alliances 2.0 to improve the quality of higher education. The European Care Deal will promote affordable, quality care. We will work towards preparing our systems for changing demographic realities.
• Introducing a new era for defence and security: The Commission will continue investing in defence. It remains committed to supporting Ukraine and will continue to implement the EU-Ukraine Defence industrial pact to enhance cooperation between the industries of the EU and Ukraine. A new European Instrument for Strategic Enablers will boost Europe’s defence capabilities at scale. The new European Security Emergency Protocol will help enable the EU to quickly respond to evolving security threats to Europe. In addition, the Commission will increase the security of the external border by proposing a European emergency response framework and modernising the Schengen visa framework. The Commission will also further assess the impact of its data retention rules.
• Sustaining our quality of life: The Commission will keep working on adapting to and mitigating climate change. It will propose a European Water Initiative to help better manage our vital water resources, present a European Heatwave Plan to improve cross-sectoral action; and consider reinforcing capacities and capabilities required for the EU to address future crises. The Commission will also launch a Climate Insurance Alliance to address the climate insurance gap and improve risk management everywhere. The review of the nature protection Directives will allow us to assess whether changes to the legal framework are needed to continue to function effectively. To ensure effectiveness in view of climate neutrality objective and to move away from fossil fuels, we will review the CO2 standards for heavy-duty vehicles.
• Protecting democracy and upholding values: Seventy years after the signature of the Treaty of Rome, the Commission will gather the brightest minds from across the EU in a new Congress of Europe to help shape a shared vision for Europe’s future. We will step up our work under the European Democracy Shield, including by coming forward with a Recommendation on Safety in politics to safeguard inclusive democratic participation. The Commission will also follow up on the European Citizens’ Initiative on conversion practices with a Recommendation calling on Member States to ban them.
• Leveraging our power and partnerships abroad: The EU will continue building trusted partnerships to reduce vulnerabilities and strengthen supply chains. It will deepen strategic cooperation with key partners, such as Canada, and cement our trade and economic ties abroad, notably with Indonesia, India, Australia, the Philippines and Thailand. The EU will build new tools against economic risks abroad with a diversification instrument and a deterrence pact. The EU will continue to support the rules-based international order, of which the International Criminal Court is a fundamental part. It will continue to stand firmly with Ukraine and contribute to peace and stability in the Middle East, Syria, Lebanon and the Red Sea while continue promoting freedom of navigation and maritime security through the straits of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab.
• Delivering together and preparing our Union for the future: The Commission renews its calls on co-legislators to reach a political agreement on the next 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework by the end of the year, with the aim of being ready to start implementing it from the 1^st January 2028. In parallel, the Commission will enhance the protection of taxpayer’s money with the review of the Anti-Fraud Architecture, including the upcoming revision of the legislation for OLAF, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office and the protection of EU financial interests.

A focus on results and simpler rules

Since the start of its mandate, the Commission has proposed 12 omnibus packages, alongside other simplification initiatives, with the potential to generate over €22 billion in annual savings, nearly 60% of its mandate target. The priority now is to ensure that European businesses and citizens feel this impact. In this regard, securing swift and ambitious agreements from the co-legislators on pending proposals remains key.

The Commission has also stepped up its effort to help Member States apply EU rules more consistently through transposition roadmaps, implementation strategies, practical guidance and targeted technical assistance. And to prevent unnecessary national requirements from adding back the burdens removed at EU level, the Commission is working with Member States on a new Pact against gold-plating.

In addition, the Commission will continue the simplification drive, by tabling further simplification proposals such as the bank competitiveness and simplification package. The post-2030 framework will achieve simplification, while ensuring that to deliver on decarbonisation objectives.

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

2027 Commission work programme

2026 Overview Report

Questions and answers on the 2027 Commission work programme

Questions and answers on the 2026 Overview Report

Factsheet on the 2027 Commission work programme

Factsheet on the 2026 Overview Report