Denmark has prepared amendments to national copyright rules to grant people more control over their voices and images in AI-generated deepfakes. It proposes a novel approach that would introduce new personality rights utilising copyright law. While there seems to be an appetite to tackle harmful deepfakes more effectively across the Union, there is also a debate about the most appropriate legal framework to do so and the need for new rights in the first place. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The roadworthiness package (RWP), last updated in 2014, aims to ensure that minimum standards are maintained by vehicle owners to ensure road safety and an adequate environmental performance of vehicles in the EU. The evaluation of the 2014 RWP found that unsafe and polluting vehicles are still circulating, and that the package has not been fully effective at achieving its objectives so far. The RWP's current revision seeks to further improve road safety and sustainable mobility and facilitate the free movement of people and goods. It consists of two proposals addressing three directives: Directive 2014/46 on registration documents for vehicles, under one procedure; and Directive 2014/45 on periodic technical inspection and Directive 2014/47 on roadside inspection, under another. The new measures are aimed at reducing road fatalities, making roadworthiness testing more objective, reducing tampering, and improving storage and exchange of specific vehicle data to improve mutual recognition across countries. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The defence readiness roadmap 2030 translates the ambition of the 2025 white paper for European defence into concrete objectives intended to ensure that EU Member States can deter and respond to high-intensity threats by the end of the decade. It identifies persistent fragmentation, limited joint procurement and dependence on non-EU suppliers as key structural weaknesses, despite rising defence spending. Capability coalitions are designed to coordinate national investment in priority areas, and European readiness flagships, such as the drone defence initiative and the European air shield, aim to provide urgent collective responses to emerging threats. Successful implementation will depend on meeting targets for collaborative procurement, industrial capacity expansion and regulatory streamlining. The roadmap views defence readiness as dependent on a resilient industrial and technological base linked to innovation, workforce development and secure access to critical raw materials. It emphasises closer coordination with NATO and international partners, including Ukraine, whose integration into European defence planning is treated as strategically essential. Trade unions warn against deregulation and social cost shifting, while industrial actors emphasise predictable frameworks to incentivise investment. Expert analysts caution that political divergence among Member States, limited new funding and concerns over duplication with NATO may hinder progress. The European Parliament supports greater defence ambition and calls for a unified posture based on sustained support to Ukraine and strengthened joint capability development. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Sports tourism is a growing branch of the EU tourism economy, encompassing both active participation in sports and attending spectator events. Defined by the UN specialised agency for tourism as travel experiences involving watching or participating in sporting events, it has evolved into a significant economic force, valued at approximately €585 billion globally and accounting for 10 % of the total tourism market. The EU has recognised the potential of sports tourism as a strategic tool for regional development, capable of addressing common tourism challenges, such as seasonality and overtourism, by attracting visitors during off-peak periods and to emerging destinations. Benefits of sports tourism extend across economic, social, health and environmental dimensions. Economically, the sports sector generates employment, with over 6 million jobs directly linked to sports across the EU, many of which are linked to the visitor economy. Further multiplier effects create additional value through supply chain impacts. Beyond immediate revenue generation, sports tourism can serve as a catalyst for infrastructure development, destination branding and long-term urban revitalisation. For individuals, active sports tourism provides health benefits and serves as a preventive health investment. Rural areas, in particular, benefit from sports tourism as it can diversify local economies, boost infrastructure improvements and provide visibility for less-visited regions. However, it is important to design policies that promote a sustainable and inclusive form of sports tourism that addresses the needs of all stakeholders involved and respects the unique local social and environmental context to avoid negative impacts associated with poorly managed mega-events, such as overcrowding, displacement and unsustainable public debt. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

In autumn 2025, the ECON Committee requested external expertise to better understand the evolving EU-US macroeconomic dynamics to foster effective policy scrutiny in light of the European Parliament's economic oversight responsibilities. Three papers have been received: one by Natacha VALLA and François MIGUET (Sciences Po and New York University), one by Cinzia ALCIDI (Centre for European Policy Studies, CEPS), and one by Daniela GABOR (SOAS University of London). This briefing presents the main takeaways from the three studies and, in the following sections, provides an overview of the authors’ analyses and findings structured around four key questions. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This digest provides a collection of documents prepared by the academia, think tanks, other EU institutions and bodies, as well as stakeholders that can be useful for Members of the European Parliament’s Committee on Budgets to stay informed about the debate concerning the next Multiannual Financial Framework, starting in 2028. The document is produced monthly by the Budgetary Support Unit of DG BUDG and the European . Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The free movement of capital is one of the four fundamental freedoms of the EU single market. It is not only the most recent one but, because of its unique third-country dimension, also the broadest. The liberalisation of capital flows has progressed gradually. Restrictions on capital movements and payments, both between Member States and with third (i.e. non-EU) countries, have been prohibited since the start of 2004 as a result of the Maastricht Treaty, although exceptions may exist. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The Commission is proposing to revise the market stability reserve for the buildings, road transport and additional sectors covered by the EU emissions trading system. The targeted amendments aim to reinforce the capacity of the reserve to intervene if the price of carbon escalates in these sectors. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The communication on the European Democracy Shield (EDS) aims to boost the protection of democracy against attacks, including from foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) and disinformation. Proposed actions reflect the EU's whole-of-society approach, with a new Centre for Democratic Resilience complementing a broad set of proposed actions across three key pillars. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The importance of information and communication technologies (ICTs), as well as data services, continues to grow in importance for both consumers and businesses. With the surge in on-demand content and 4G/5G growth, the EU has introduced a telecommunications regulatory framework. This encompasses all types of telecommunications, including broadcasting. Research indicates that telecommunications services, network equipment, content and applications contribute up to EUR 1 trillion to the EU’s GDP annually, representing about 4.7% of the EU’s GDP. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The free movement of goods was bolstered by eliminating customs duties as well as other non-tariff barriers. Principles like mutual recognition and standardisation further advanced the internal market. The 2008 New Legislative Framework enhanced the movement of goods, EU market surveillance and the CE (European Conformity) mark. Yet, challenges on internal market harmonisation persist and other factors can still hinder the full free movement of goods. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The housing crisis is a growing problem in Europe. In fact, 10% of EU households are spending over 40% of their income on housing. While housing policy is primarily a national competence, the EU’s role in internal market, social, cohesion and environmental policy underpins EU action in this sector. The European Pillar of Social Rights and the renovation wave strategy have demonstrated EU action to specifically tackle homelessness and ensure affordable and decent housing and living conditions. Further EU action focuses on State aid, financing for housing, short-term rentals, and the construction sector. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The aim of the EU’s asylum policy is to grant appropriate status to any non-EU national requiring international protection in one of the Member States, while ensuring compliance with the principle of non-refoulement[1]. To this end, the EU is striving to develop a Common European Asylum System. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The founding principles of the European Union are liberty, democracy and respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law. The EU aims to build human rights concerns into all its policies and programmes. This fact sheet explains:— The legal framework that governs the EU’s human rights policy;— The tools and funds that the EU uses to support democracy and human rights in its relations with countries and organisations outside the EU. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The European Cybersecurity Act adopted in 2019 established a permanent mandate for the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) and introduced a European cybersecurity certification framework to strengthen trust and resilience across the Union. Its implementation faced a fast-evolving cybersecurity landscape since the Act’s adoption, marked by a 150% increase in cyberattacks in 2024 and an expanding regulatory landscape, including the network and information systems Directive, the Cyber Resilience Act, and the Cyber Solidarity Act. These parallel developments have expanded ENISA’s responsibilities putting strains on its resources and coordination capacity. Over recent years, ENISA has become an established actor within the EU’s cybersecurity landscape. It has supported Member States in policy development, contributed to building technical and operational capabilities, and promoted exchanges of good practice and awareness-raising initiatives. Its role in facilitating cooperation and providing expertise has been widely acknowledged. At the same time, the broadening of ENISA’s mandate has created challenges in defining priorities, allocating resources and coordinating with other EU and national bodies. Stakeholders have underlined the need for clearer task definition, more systematic planning and stronger coordination mechanisms to avoid overlaps. The European Cybersecurity Certification Framework has advanced more slowly than initially foreseen. According to stakeholders, progress in developing certification schemes has been limited, with several delays and concerns regarding process transparency and predictability. The absence of a regularly updated Union Rolling Work Programme has made long-term planning more difficult for both public authorities and industry. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

In July 2023, the European Commission tabled a package of proposals aimed at greening freight transport. One of these proposals focuses on improving the use of rail infrastructure capacity. The proposed text suggests changes to the rules governing the planning and allocation of railway infrastructure capacity, which are currently outlined in Directive 2012/34/EU and Regulation (EU) No 913/2010. The goal of the changes is to enhance the management of rail infrastructure capacity and traffic so as to improve service quality, optimise railway network usage, increase traffic capacity and enhance the transport sector's contribution to decarbonisation. In the European Parliament, the file was referred to the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN), which appointed Tilly Metz (Greens/EFA, Luxembourg) as rapporteur. The TRAN committee adopted its report on 4 March 2024. Parliament adopted its first-reading position during its March 2024 plenary session. The Council adopted its general approach on 18 June 2024, and following the European elections, the TRAN committee voted on 7 October 2024 to start interinstitutional negotiations. A provisional agreement was reached on 18 November 2025. Fifth edition. The previous editions of this briefing were drafted by Jaan Soone. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

In the context of the wars in Ukraine and other parts of the world, the increasingly global effects – material and political – of war make it more important than ever to measure the level of threats to peace, security and democracy around the world. The Normandy Index has presented an annual measurement of these threats since the 2019 Normandy Peace Forum. The results of the 2025 exercise suggest the level of threats to peace is at its highest since the index was launched, confirming declining trends in global security resulting from conflict, geopolitical rivalry, growing militarisation and hybrid threats. The findings of the 2025 exercise draw on data compiled in 2024 and 2025 to compare peace – defined on the basis of a given country's performance against a range of predetermined threats – across countries and regions. Derived from the Index, 63 individual country case studies provide a picture of the state of peace in the world today. Designed and prepared by the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS), in conjunction with, and on the basis of data provided by, the Institute for Economics and Peace, the Normandy Index is produced in partnership with the Region of Normandy. The paper forms part of the EPRS contribution to the 2026 Normandy World Peace Forum. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

'We delivered' is how European Council President António Costa summed up the last EU leaders' meeting of 2025, which 'addressed crucial issues for the future of Europe'. After an EU agreement on the long-term immobilisation of Russian assets was secured just days before the meeting, EU leaders found a 'pragmatic and realistic solution' to cover Ukraine's financial needs of €90 billion for 2026-2027. If EU borrowing was the less expected outcome, it was one 'everyone can stand behind'. Even if the discussion on Ukraine was lengthy, EU leaders also managed to agree on the structure of, and a timeline for, the 2028-2034 multiannual financial framework (MFF). Likewise, this meeting paved the way towards 'a successful completion of the Mercosur agreement in early 2026', with the postponement of its signature designed to address remaining reservations in certain Member States, notably Italy and France. EU leaders also discussed enlargement and parallel EU reforms, as well as migration and geoeconomics. Additional topics addressed by the European Council were the Middle East, the Pact for the Mediterranean, the fight against antisemitism, racism and xenophobia, democratic resilience and the macro-regional strategy for the Atlantic. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Iceland, a small island in the North Atlantic Ocean, is home to 393 000 inhabitants. Driven by tourism, fishing, and aluminium smelting, its economy is robust. The gross domestic product (GDP) per capita is the 5th highest globally. After applying for European Union (EU) membership in 2009, Iceland suspended its well-advanced accession process in 2015. However, the country's relations with the EU have remained positive. It maintains close economic, political and sectoral ties, largely shaped by the European Economic Area (EEA) Agreement. This agreement, in force since 1994, brings all EU Member States, alongside Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein, into the single market. It also enables free movement of people, services, goods and capital in the EEA. It covers competition and State aid regulations, horizontal policies such as consumer protection, energy, environment and social policy, as well as flanking policies including research, education, public health and entrepreneurship. The EU and Iceland are aligned on key foreign policy issues and hold regular dialogues. Cooperating under North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) auspices and beyond, they are equally close partners on security and defence. Moreover, Iceland participates in key aspects of EU cooperation concerning justice and home affairs, primarily through the Schengen Agreement. Currently, the debate on joining the EU has revived in Iceland. Following the latest Icelandic parliamentary elections in November 2024, the new coalition government agreed to hold a national referendum on whether to open EU accession talks by 2027. The European Parliament is closely involved in nurturing EU-Iceland relations. It sends a delegation to the EEA Joint Parliamentary Committee and holds an annual bilateral interparliamentary meeting with Iceland. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

On 1 June 2023, the European Commission presented the maritime safety package, focused on introducing modernised maritime safety and security rules on port state and flag state control, maritime accident investigation and ship source pollution. The package also includes a proposal to revise the Regulation on EMSA. The revised regulation would give EMSA new and more numerous tasks. The regulation mandates the agency to provide EU Member States and the Commission with technical, operational and scientific assistance, to ensure maritime safety, security and the maritime sector's green and digital transition. The agency would also receive adequate human and financial resources to fulfil its role. The European Parliament's Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) adopted its report on 7 December 2023. Parliament adopted its first-reading position on 12 March 2024. Following agreement in trilogue negotiations, the Council adopted its position at first reading on 15 October 2025. Following the TRAN committee's recommendation for second reading, Parliament approved the proposal at second reading on 13 November 2025. Published in the Official Journal on 29 December 2025, the new regulation enters into force on 18 January 2026. Fourth edition of a briefing originally drafted by Karin Smit-Jacobs and subsequently updated by Monika Kiss. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Directive 2005/44/EC on harmonised river information services (RIS) on inland waterways ('RIS Directive') establishes rules on RIS to ensure the safety, efficiency and environmental protection of inland waterways in the EU. On 26 January 2024, the European Commission put forward a proposal to amend the RIS Directive with a view to addressing certain shortcomings. The amending directive should provide better-quality information, reduce efforts to collect basic information, reduce the need to re-register cargo information and report cargo information to ports, save costs through electronic processing of cargo information instead of on paper, save time spent planning voyages, save time on reporting requirements and improve navigation efficiency. In the European Parliament, the file has been assigned to the Committee on Transport and Tourism. The Council introduced several changes to the proposal, mainly with a view to making the existing rules clearer and more coherent from a technical perspective. On 26 June 2025, the Council and Parliament reached a political agreement. The proposal was adopted by Parliament at first reading on 7 October and then by the Council on 27 October. The directive entered into force on 1 January 2026, and has tSecond edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.o be transposed into Member States' law by 2 January 2029. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Europe's culture and cultural heritage are fundamental to EU values and identity, providing space for discussion, engagement and debate. Culture also fosters a European sense of belonging and social cohesion, strengthens communities, and drives innovation and economic competitiveness. The New European Agenda for Culture, which has provided a framework for EU cultural policy since 2018, is replaced by the new Culture Compass for Europe, published by the Commission on 12 November 2025. Considered to be the most ambitious EU strategic framework for culture to date, it is overarching and coherent, placing culture, as promised, at the very heart of the European project and identity. It also emphases the importance of culture for individuals, communities and the EU. The new Culture Compass for Europe is built on four pillars: European values and cultural rights; conditions for artists and cultural professionals and how culture supports people; cultural sectors; and international cultural relations. It describes what is already in place and proposes 20 flagship actions. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Effective consumer protection policy ensures that the single market functions properly. It safeguards consumers’ rights against traders and provides extra protection for vulnerable consumers. Consumer protection rules can boost market outcomes overall. They promote fairer markets and, with better consumer information, foster greener, more social outcomes. Empowering consumers and safeguarding their interests are key EU policy goals. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The organisation and operation of the European Parliament are governed by its Rules of Procedure. Its political bodies, committees, delegations and political groups guide Parliament’s activities. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Humanitarian aid is an area of EU external action that responds to needs in the event of human-made or natural disasters. The Commission’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations funds relief operations and coordinates Member States’ policies and activities. Parliament and the Council act as co-legislators in shaping the EU’s humanitarian aid policy and take part in the global debate on more effective humanitarian action. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Cyprus assumed the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union on 1 January 2026 and will be in office until 30 June 2026. The country takes over from Denmark and will hand the baton on to Ireland. Cyprus is the last member of the presidency trio with Poland and Denmark. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and hydroelectric power, ocean and geothermal energy, biomass and biofuels offer cleaner alternatives to fossil fuels. They reduce pollution, broaden our energy options and decrease our dependence on volatile fossil fuel prices. In 2023, lawmakers increased the EU target for the share of renewable sources of energy in gross energy consumption from 32% to at least 42.5% by 2030, while aiming for 45%. In 2023, renewable energy accounted for 24.5% of the EU’s final energy consumption. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The common fisheries policy (CFP) has come a long way since it was first formulated in the Treaty of Rome. Initially linked to the common agricultural policy, it gradually developed a separate identity. The core area of the CFP – conservation and management of fish stocks – was launched in 1983. The policy was reformed in 1992, 2002 and 2013. The current framework, resulting from the 2013 reform, is aimed at ensuring that EU fisheries are sustainable – environmentally, economically and socially. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The Trans-European Networks (TENs) – large, infrastructure networks that enable essential services and efficient connections between national networks – are jointly funded by the European Union and the Member States. Financial support from the EU serves as a catalyst, with the Member States providing the bulk of the financing. The financing of the TENs can be complemented by Structural Fund assistance, aid from the European Investment Bank (EIB) or contributions from the private sector. A major reform was introduced across the TENs with the establishment of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) in 2013, renewed in 2021. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This is the tenth edition of an annual EPRS paper aimed at identifying and framing many of the key issues and policy areas that will feature prominently in public debate and on the political agenda of the European Union over the coming year. The topics analysed encompass, the next long term EU budget, Ukraine's integration into the EU, defence, EU-China relations, the impact of artificial intelligence on the web, the potential of startup companies, irregular migration, climate policy, action for the oceans, and lessons from the post-COVID 19 Recovery and Resilience Facility. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The ECB’s Governing Council set up a High-Level Task Force to recommend simplifications of banking regulation and supervision, chaired by Vice-President Luis De Guindos. On 11 December 2025, the ECB published the task force’ report. This briefing reviews and analyses the proposals and provides context in view of the ECON committee exchange of views with Vice-President De Guindos on 15 January 2026. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This study assesses the evolving structural divergence between the US and EU economies, driven by widening productivity gaps and asymmetric financial integration. It identifies a “Competitiveness Trilemma” constraining EU policy responses to US industrial activism. The paper analyses new transmission channels of economic shocks and proposes a strategic playbook for the European Parliament to enhance industrial sovereignty and rebalance the transatlantic partnership. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The establishment of a European road safety area has been one of the EU’s long-standing objectives since 2010. While each Member State has the power to make its own decisions related to certain aspects of road traffic and safety provisions, the EU also carries out work in this field and has been focusing its measures on vehicle conditions, the transport of animals and dangerous goods and road safety in general. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The trans-European networks (TENs) in transport, energy and telecommunications are developed to connect the regions of the EU and to contribute to the growth of the internal market and employment. They strengthen economic, social and territorial cohesion. The trans-European transport network (TEN-T) has evolved over time, including a fundamental reform in 2013 and a major revision in 2024. The energy infrastructure (TEN-E) guidelines were adapted to the European Green Deal in 2022. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The rise of generative AI has presented a global challenge to copyright law regarding authorship and human creativity. This has implications for the ability of creators to control and monetise their work, in addition to incentives to use innovative technologies. Currently, the EU lacks specific rules on the copyrightability of AI-generated works, but existing case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union and developments at Member State level demonstrate a strong need for human creativity. The European Parliament has also advocated a human-centric approach while calling for further analysis of how intellectual property rights are applied to content created with the use of AI tools. Most countries, including the United States, maintain a human-centric approach, limiting copyright to works with significant human involvement in the creative process. However, not all the international approaches and practices are aligned, and this briefing gives examples from a selection of different jurisdictions. Certain common-law countries, including the United Kingdom, grant copyright to 'computer-generated' works without a human author while, in a slightly contradictory manner, assigning authorship to the person responsible for the arrangements for the creation of the work. Chinese courts show mixed rulings, sometimes granting copyright based on sufficient human effort in selecting and editing prompts. Cases like the artwork called 'Suryast', produced with the help of AI, reveal conflicting copyright decisions across the world, with AI being recognised as a co-author in some countries. Uniquely, Ukraine has adopted a 'sui generis' right to provide alternative protection for AI-generated images, distinct from traditional copyright. As a result, there may be a need for greater coordination globally to reduce legal uncertainty and to determine the level of human involvement needed for copyright protection. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP