The European Commission Work Programme for 2026: Europe’s Independence Moment
On 21 October 2025, the European Commission adopted its 2026 work programme, titled Europe’s Independence Moment.
It outlines how the EU plans to respond to current and emerging challenges, from security threats and geopolitical tensions to economic vulnerabilities and the accelerating climate crisis, building on the priorities set out in President von der Leyen’s Political Guidelines 2024-2029 and the 2025 State of the Union address.
The initiatives that the Commission plans to prioritise in 2026 are set out across three annexes.
Annex I outlines the new initiatives. Although the document does not list any new measures based on Article 81 TFEU, certain initiatives, particularly those grounded in Article 114 TFEU, may nonetheless have an indirect effect on matters of private international law.
Among these, more specifically among the “simplification initiatives” listed in the programme, the 28th Regime for Innovative Companies aims to create an optional EU framework for startups and cross-border business.
Beyond simplification, the Digital Fairness Act will enhance consumer protection in the digital environment, ensuring greater transparency and accountability in online markets.
As non-legislative, the Gender Equality Strategy 2026–2030 will set new priorities to promote equal opportunities across the EU, with private international law playing a key role in safeguarding EU citizens’ rights when status and relationships cross national borders.
Annex II covers the annual plan for evaluations and fitness checks, while pending legislative proposals are discussed in Annex III, which includes: the Proposal for a Directive amending Directives 2006/43/EC, 2013/34/EU, (EU) 2022/2464 and (EU) 2024/1760 as regards certain corporate sustainability reporting and due diligence requirements; the Proposal for a Regulation on combating late payment in commercial transactions; the Proposal for a Directive harmonizing certain aspects of insolvency law; the Proposal for a Regulation on jurisdiction, applicable law, recognition of decisions, and acceptance of authentic instruments in matters of parenthood, including the creation of a European Certificate of Parenthood; the Proposal for a Regulation on jurisdiction, applicable law, recognition, enforcement of measures, and cooperation in matters relating to the protection of adults; and the Proposal for a Regulation establishing the Justice programme for the period 2028-2034 and repealing Regulation (EU) 2021/693.
It also cover the Proposal as regards the enforcement of passenger rights within the EU, and the Proposal in the context of multimodal journeys; the Proposal on the establishment of a digital euro and related measures; the Proposal on substantiation and communication of environmental claims (the Green Claims Directive); and the Proposal on safety, resilience and sustainability of space activities in the Union.
Also interesting is Annex IV, on withdrawals. The list of proposals that the Commission plans to withdraw includes the Proposal for a Directive on European cross-border associations.