This in-depth analysis examines whether VET learners, graduates and professionals face systemic disadvantages relative to their higher education counterparts across four domains: labour market outcomes, public support and mobility, qualification pathways and recognition, and access to services and economic sectors. Drawing on evidence from EU Member States, it identifies structural disparities that reduce VET attractiveness, documents significant cross-country variation, and puts forward eight policy recommendations for the forthcoming European VET strategy. This study was commissioned by the European Parliament's Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL). Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The taxing of the digital economy remains among the most controversial topics in international tax policy. Although there was political agreement on Pillar One achieved by the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework in 2021, implementation of this proposal has not yet materialised and negotiations within the United Nations Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation are expected to last until 2027. Lack of a global solution increases the pressure for action at EU level. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The United States remains a leading global health and life sciences actor, driven by high spending, strong research capacity and a regulatory environment that accelerates innovation. At the same time, the system faces persistent structural challenges, including high costs, fragmented insurance coverage and unequal access. Since the start of President Trump’s second term, federal reforms, budget cuts and institutional restructuring have reshaped the roles of HHS, CDC, NIH and FDA. Reduced engagement with WHO and cuts to USAID have weakened US participation in global health, raising concerns in Europe about global leadership, crisis preparedness and international cooperation. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Digitalisation has powered the shift to a ‘services economy’, and has greatly expanded the cross-border delivery of services, enabling service providers to access markets around the world with little or no local physical presence. Services can now also be produced digitally and supplied automatically, which will expand further with artificial intelligence (AI). Automated digital services (ADSs) can be supplied from the cloud, so that there is no specific location for the place of supply. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The EU aims to adapt the Digital Single Market to technological change and to promote innovation, while also mitigating risks. To this end, the Digital Rulebook contains a wide range of legal acts that address specific sectors, individuals, or technologies. To date, (almost) all of these legal acts also include elementary but uncoordinated enforcement provisions. The study highlights the many resulting gaps, overlaps, and inconsistencies that hinder enforcement. The study proposes to resolve this issue by a Digital Rulebook Enforcement Toolbox, which can be further developed into a Directive. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Due to demographic changes, a growing share of the population suffering from chronic diseases and an unmet need for more healthcare personnel; health systems are under growing pressure to deliver better outcomes with limited resources. Digital health offers tools to improve prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and system efficacy, while also supporting research and innovation. This infographic touches upon the main areas regarding Digital Health, to help understand the discussion taking place during the public hearing on «Digital Health: Preparing Healthcare Systems for the Future» Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Marking the first reform of the Better Regulation framework since 2021, the Commission communication – A simpler, clearer and better enforced EU rulebook – aligns the EU's regulatory policy framework with the Commission's overall political priorities for the current term and steps up and formalises certain practices. In this respect, the communication advances the EU's simplification agenda, adjusts lawmaking to the new political imperative of competitiveness and seeks to make the EU acquis leaner. While previous Better Regulation reforms were geared towards improving regulatory quality (by adjusting impact assessment, evaluation and stakeholder consultation processes), the present reform is much broader in scope. It targets the full life cycle of EU laws, placing a particular emphasis on the review and enforcement stages. The communication is expected to be followed by a revision of the Better Regulation guidelines and toolbox later this year. The communication's five headline ambitions span the different stages in the policy cycle, from the design of new legislation to implementation and enforcement. Regarding the latter, it notably commits to applying a more rigid approach to infringements and to stepping up measures against gold-plating. It introduces new concepts, such as 'simplicity by design' and 'regulatory deep cleaning' and envisages making greater use of legal techniques and tools such as codification, recast and sunset clauses. The communication contains several measures targeting single market improvements, which are largely inspired by the 2024 Letta report. These include prioritising full harmonisation of single market legislation, wherever possible. The communication introduces major changes to the impact assessment process. Above all, the Commission commits to carrying out 'more and more focused' impact assessments. Guided by proportionality considerations and based on a newly developed 'matrix of key impacts', it introduces a two-tier approach to impact assessments that differentiates between 'major' and 'more targeted' initiatives. Moreover, it sets out a pathway for integrating politically urgent initiatives into the Better Regulation framework, thereby committing to preparing lighter impact assessments wherever feasible or, at least, analytical staff working documents with clearly defined minimum requirements. The communication also presents, for certain cases, a new category of Regulatory Scrutiny Board (RSB) opinions, namely opinions without qualification. Overall, the impact assessment reform seeks to achieve an increase in the number of files submitted to the RSB, while potentially weakening RSB scrutiny. The reform also envisages certain adjustments to stakeholder consultations but barely addresses the ex-post evaluation of EU policies. Instead, the communication introduces 'regulatory deep cleaning' as the new ex-post review instrument, in an effort to reduce the complexity and fragmentation of the EU acquis. It presents an associated action plan across 12 priority areas and mandates regular Commission progress reporting on the 'deep cleaning' exercise. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Free movement of workers is a cornerstone of the European single market, yet qualifications and skills do not always travel freely with the worker. Despite a binding EU instrument in place since 2005, recognition procedures remain complex, lengthy and unevenly applied across Member States. With labour shortages affecting key sectors and around 10 million EU citizens working abroad, there is a need for further EU action. The European Commission's skills portability initiative, expected in the third quarter of 2026, aims to address these persistent barriers. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This briefing provides an overview of recent ECB monetary policy decisions, the nature of the latest energy price shock, and its implications for inflation dynamics and the outlook. It places particular emphasis on the scenarios presented in the Eurosystem staff macroeconomic projections of June 2026, and reviews recent ECB publications alongside monetary policy developments in the US. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This briefing relates to ECON’s scrutiny of the delegated act (DA) on temporary adjustments to Basel III market risk rules (the Fundamental Review of the Trading Book / FRTB), adopted by the Commission on 4 June 2026, C(2026)3647, under Article 461a(2)(a) CRR. It explains the background, legal procedure, and the amendments effected via this DA to the legal basis, i.e. the Capital Requirements Regulation 575/2013 (CRR). Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Pierre Gramegna, Managing Director of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) is participating in the first exchange of views with the ECON Committee in the 10th parliamentary term, based on the Memorandum of Cooperation between the ESM and European Parliament signed in 2024. This briefing provides an overview of the ESM setup in 2012, its key features, instruments, and capital structure. It also considers the ESM Annual Report 2025 and discusses the main findings of the joint discussion paper by the ESM and EIOPA on the macroeconomic, fiscal and financial stability implications of climate-related natural catastrophes. Lastly, it reviews various proposals for euro area safe assets, which are becoming increasingly prominent in the debate, as well as the limited role that the ESM can play in that regard and in financing defence investments, bearing in mind that the revised ESM Treaty has not been ratified by all euro area Member States. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This pre-Commission initiative briefing explores the proposed European product act, a policy initiative announced by the European Commission with the aim of overhauling the legal framework regarding the free movement of goods in the EU. The initiative will address certain problems associated with the rise of 'e-commerce', i.e. low-value items ordered online from third countries. The briefing looks at the specific legal instruments involved, and anticipates policy solutions which the Commission might put forward. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Cyberbullying is a real issue for the current generation of young people who have grown up in the always connected digital world. While trends have indicated that both victims and perpetrators of cyberbullying are becoming younger, it can also affect adults, with women at greater risk of cyberviolence. Cyberbullying can take many forms and can cause anxiety and depression among its victims. People can experience shame and embarrassment and withdraw from studies, work, interests and their social circles. The impact of cyberviolence can be tangible with a significant economic cost to society. The EU has placed significant importance on tackling the issue of cyberbullying. The Commission has adopted an action plan against cyberbullying in 2026, which focuses on a coordinated approach among Member States. It is designed to foster prevention and awareness, and encourages Member States to adopt comprehensive national strategies and promote a common understanding of cyberbullying to ensure a safer digital environment. The EU has enacted a number of laws which address various elements of digitalisation to protect EU citizens and prevent providers of digital services and content from engaging in harmful practices. The EU also has a suite of policies and strategies to complement its legal framework in online child protection, coupled with support for parents and educators. Risks from cyber-enabled violence continue to be a threat to European society, especially its young people. While advances in digital technology provide many opportunities, these are accompanied by a myriad of dangers. Cyberbullying is one such danger, with real-world consequences for individuals. While Member States across the EU have embarked on multi-faceted responses to the issue, there have been calls for an EU-wide legally binding definition of cyberbullying. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Thousands of migrants have died in the Mediterranean over the past decade, and there are increasing demands for greater action. In its previous term, the European Parliament called for more active and coordinated search and rescue (SAR) operations, but other organisations have also stressed the need for further measures. Under international law, EU countries are responsible for SAR operations for ships within their jurisdiction, with Frontex able to offer support. A permanent solidarity mechanism will be in place from July 2026 as part of the pact on migration and asylum. However, creating a European search and rescue corps would require a clear legal basis under EU law. Frontex could be given a larger role in SAR operations, but for this would need additional powers and resources. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Briefing No. 5 - Following independence from the CIS, the environmental situation in Estonia has improved considerably because of the economic recession and high investments. Despite the very recent signing of the Association Agreement, Estonia has already made considerable progress in harmonization of environmental legislation. All White Paper legislation will probably have been transposed by the end of 1999. Adoption of the remaining acquis communautaire is planned for the end of 2001. Even though this date is rather unrealistic, the acquis will probably be adopted before Estonia’s accession. However, application and transposition in the high-investment areas is currently very patchy and has to be improved. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

People from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds face discrimination and its consequences on a daily basis. However, the exact scale of the problem is hard to gauge, owing to a lack of data and general under‑reporting of racist incidents. Although the European Union (EU) has been introducing legislation to combat racial and xenophobic discrimination since 2000, the problem persists. The global Black Lives Matter protests highlighted the need for new measures, while the COVID‑19 pandemic saw a major increase in reports of racist and xenophobic incidents, and the crisis it triggered had a disproportionately large negative effect on racial and ethnic minority groups, in the form of higher death and infection rates. Studies point to the cost of racial discrimination not only for the individuals concerned, but also for society as a whole. For instance, a 2018 EPRS report argued that the loss in earnings caused by racial and ethnic discrimination for both individuals and societies amounts to billions of euros annually. EU citizens also acknowledge this problem: a 2019 survey found that over half of Europeans believe racial or ethnic discrimination to be widespread in their country. To address racial discrimination and the inequalities it engenders, the European Commission has put forward a number of equality strategies and actions. The European Parliament, meanwhile, has long demanded an end to racial discrimination. In recent resolutions, Parliament has called for an end to structural racism, discrimination, racial profiling and police brutality; for protection of the right to protest peacefully; for an enhanced role for culture, education, media and sport in the fight against racism; and for authorities to take an intersectional approach. This is a further update of a briefing, the previous edition of which was from April 2025. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

We assess the latest monetary policy stance of the European Central Bank (ECB). We first discuss whether the inflation surge is temporary or permanent and examine the nature of the inflation shock. We then analyse the ECB’s interest rate and quantitative tightening policies. Finally, we examine inflation differentials within the euro area and the ECB’s communication strategy. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This briefing provides an assessment of the ECB Annual Report 2025 and the ECB’s feedback statement responding to the issues raised and requests made by the European Parliament in its resolution on the “European Central Bank – annual report 2025”, which relates to the ECB Annual Report for the previous year. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This paper evaluates technical aspects of the Directives on periodic roadworthiness testing (2014/45/EU) and roadside inspection of commercial vehicles (2014/47/EU). Key findings focus on harmonising minimum content for Periodic Technical Inspection and Roadside Inspection requirements across Member States and establishing a cross-border data-exchange platform for registration, driver licence and inspection data. For remote sensing, comparative campaigns across Member States are recommended, noting its benefits while zero-emission vehicle uptake remains low. This document was provided by Policy Department B at the request of the TRAN Committee. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

According to Directive 2008/115/EC, third-country nationals staying illegally on the territory of a European Union (EU) Member State should, as a general rule, be issued a return decision obliging them to leave the EU. However, available data suggest that, among those who receive such a decision, only about a quarter actually leave the EU. The limited effectiveness of the return policy is due to several challenges that the EU and Member States face when carrying out return procedures, including difficulties related to implementation at national level. To increase the effectiveness of the EU return policy, the European Commission announced in its 2025 work programme that it would develop a new common approach to returns, including a new legislative proposal on the subject. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

European Union countries will be able to set up return hubs in third countries once the return regulation enters into force. These facilities in non-EU countries would be used to host irregular migrants who do not have the right to remain in the EU. The EU has been trying for decades to get more irregular migrants to leave. They would have to conclude an agreement with a third country that is safe and recognises human rights. The examples of non-EU countries that have done something similar suggest this could prove expensive and involve only small numbers of migrants. The plans have been criticised by non-governmental organisations (NGOs), who worry how the human rights of the migrants involved will be affected. There are likely to be many legal challenges. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Article 8 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) commits the European Union and its Member States to eliminating inequalities and promoting the principle of equality between women and men in all their actions. As set out in the EU gender equality strategy 2026-2030, achieving gender equality in the European Union is a joint responsibility, requiring action by all EU institutions, Member States and EU agencies, in partnership with civil society and women's organisations, social partners and the private sector. Since 2003, when the European Parliament formally launched gender mainstreaming activities within the institution, the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM Committee) has been regularly preparing monitoring reports on the state of gender mainstreaming in the European Parliament. The subsequent resolutions, adopted in 2007, 2009, 2011, 2016, 2019 and 2022, are part of a sustained series of activities implemented over the past two decades to support and intensify gender mainstreaming in the European Parliament. This effort was significantly reinforced by the adoption of a gender action plan and a roadmap for its implementation in July 2020 and April 2021 respectively, and their renewal in October 2025 and April 2026. This study, which updates a previous edition of September 2021, examines the current state of play of gender mainstreaming in the European Parliament in support of the forthcoming own-initiative report on gender mainstreaming in the European Parliament, to be drawn up by the FEMM committee. It provides an updated overview of the concept of gender mainstreaming and the tools available to implement it; analyses Parliament's current gender mainstreaming policy, with particular focus on the 2022 resolution on the issue, Parliament's 2020 and 2025 gender action plans and their accompanying roadmaps, as well as committee gender action plans; and examines gender mainstreaming both in European Parliament policymaking and in terms of representation, institutional culture and working environment within the institution. It further reviews gender mainstreaming practices in other EU institutions and national parliaments to place the European Parliament's efforts in a broader comparative context. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

A review of institutional aspects of budgetary control which describes the roles of the main actors and the changes introduced by the Treaties of Maastricht and Amsterdam. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This study, prepared for the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Transport, Employment and Social Affairs and commissioned by the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), describes support for large families and single parents across the European Union. It analyses the vulnerability of these households and provides recommendations to improve support at both EU and Member State level. Attention is paid to the implementation of large family cards across EU Member States, and the feasibility of a European large family card.      Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Amidst increasing political pressure to adopt a stricter approach to migration, certain EU Member States have begun calling for reform of the protections available to migrants under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The calls have centred around Article 3 and Article 8 of the ECHR.Article 3 prohibits torture and inhuman and degrading treatment. It blocks states from deporting individuals to places where they would be at risk of such treatment. It is absolute and cannot be restricted in any circumstances. Article 8 protects the right to respect for private and family life. It is a qualified right, meaning that it can be subject to limitations: it must be in accordance with the law, in pursuit of a legitimate aim and proportionate to the aim pursued.Calls for reform have intensified since June 2025, culminating in the Council of Europe's adoption of a political declaration on migration and the ECHR on 15 May 2026 in Chișinău, Moldova. While the declaration has no binding legal effect and does not amend the ECHR or any other legal instrument, it carries significant political weight and may influence the approach taken by both the ECtHR and national authorities when applying the ECHR in the future. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The IA underpins the revision of ENISA's mandate to adapt it to the evolving cybersecurity threat landscape and the main stakeholder needs. It also supports: the revision of the ECCF to expand and clarify its scope and improve its governance and procedures; targeted amendments to the NIS2 Directive to facilitate and align compliance across the internal market; the filling of regulatory gaps by setting up an EU-level framework to enhance ICT supply chain security against non-technical risks. The IA effectively substantiates the need for a revision of the Cybersecurity Act. It presents a well-evidenced problem definition and identifies the initiative's general and specific objectives, which broadly meet the S.M.A.R.T. criteria (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound), though not fully, and it does not include operational objectives. The IA provides a well-structured intervention logic linking the specific objectives with the identified problems, drivers, proposed policy options and key measures. The need for EU action is sufficiently justified, but, despite the initiative's political significance, the IA is not supported by a subsidiarity grid, and it does include a distinct section on proportionality. The IA considers four areas of intervention, each with a set of three policy options considered in view of the specific objectives. Each policy option consists of a set of key measures linked to the identified problems, their underlying drivers, and the specific objectives. However, the design and description of options and the choice of the preferred package raise some questions, which are presented in the dedicated section of this analysis. The IA considers, qualitatively and quantitatively, economic, social, and environmental impacts, although it analyses economic impacts more than the others. The analysis includes an SME test to examine the initiative's direct and indirect impacts on SMEs, and the IA addresses impacts on competitiveness systematically. Overall, the IA presents its key methodological considerations and is transparent about the evidence and analytical methods used, including limitations and underlying assumptions. The feedback from stakeholder consultation activities could have been given more consideration in the IA, particularly regarding the available policy options and their potential impacts. The IA presents a non-exhaustive list of monitoring indicators linked to each specific objective and suggests carrying out an evaluation to assess the initiative's effectiveness. The Regulatory Scrutiny Board issued a positive opinion with reservations on the draft IA after initially issuing a negative opinion due to serious shortcomings. The Board's recommendations have largely been addressed in the final IA, with some issues remaining. Finally, it appears that both proposals are mostly in line with the preferred option of the IA, with a couple of issues remaining. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

During the June 2026 plenary session, the European Parliament is due to vote on an own-initiative resolution on the European Commission's 2025 report on North Macedonia. The Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) report, adopted on 3 June, recalls its full support for the country's EU integration and reiterates the European Council's call from its 2024 conclusions on North Macedonia to accelerate the completion of the constitutional changes needed to open the first negotiating cluster as soon as possible, in line with the negotiating framework. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Students and young people in training across the EU are seriously affected by the housing crisis, facing high housing costs, shortages, and insecurity to varying degrees across Member States. This negatively affects students’ wellbeing, educational outcomes, and even regional competitiveness. Building on the Commission’s European Affordable Housing Plan (EAHP), this study proposes six policy actions focused on increasing dedicated student housing, integrating student housing into broader policy strategies, and investing in innovation, research, and knowledge exchange. This document was prepared at the request of the Special Committee on the Housing Crisis in the European Union (HOUS). Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This fact sheet explains how EU regulations on maritime transport focus on the application of the principle of free movement of services and proper enforcement of competition rules, while at the same time ensuring high safety levels and good working conditions and environmental standards. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This fact sheet outlines how the European Union adapted its founding Treaties to reflect environmental concerns and help tackle the complex challenges of climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss and the use of natural resources. The four principles underlying EU environmental policy are introduced and the most significant aspects of the policy framework are presented. The fact sheet concludes by addressing the role of the European Parliament in shaping environmental laws and policies. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This fact sheet explains EU passenger rights – the common rules that protect travellers by air, rail, ship, bus and coach across the EU. It covers the core rights (information, assistance, compensation and equal access for passengers with reduced mobility) for each mode of transport. It describes ongoing legislative developments, including proposals on multimodal journeys and enforcement, and outlines Parliament’s role in shaping and strengthening these protections. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This fact sheet explains the EU’s energy efficiency policy, including its legal framework, primary targets and most important laws. The policy aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower energy bills and improve energy security while reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels. The fact sheet highlights the European Parliament’s role in shaping this policy. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This fact sheet outlines the right to petition in the EU, including its legal basis, objectives, eligibility criteria and procedures. It explains how petitions are submitted and examined, the role of the European Parliament and its Committee on Petitions in handling them, and the main follow-up actions available. It also highlights the importance of petitions as a tool for participatory democracy and for monitoring the application of EU law. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This at a glance paper, prepared ahead of the Monetary Dialogue with the ECB President on Monday 22 June 2026, compares three recent external papers commissioned by the European Parliament’s Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs exploring the main features of the current energy shock and its implications for euro area inflation and ECB’s monetary policy. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP