European Union
Latest news and information about the European Union.
Explained: The EU's new rules on AI, deepfakes and chatbots
AI watermarking and deepfake labelling will soon be required by law in the EU as the transparency part of the bloc’s sweeping AI Act comes into force on August 2nd.
Your key questions answered about the Schengen area's 90-day rule
The EU/Schengen area's '90-day' rule is a complicated one that causes much confusion for travellers - here we answer some of the most common questions from readers of The Local.
Can an EU member state be kicked out of Schengen zone?
Several EU countries have caused a stir when they called to shut Spain out of the EU's visa-free Schengen travel zone after the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in Morocco was overwhelmed this week by thousands of migrant arrivals. Is that possible?
EU launches legal action against 17 member states over new single permit rules
The European Commission this week launched legal action against 17 member states over the application of the new directive on the single permit, a combined procedure that grants third country nationals both a work and residence permit instead of applying separately for them.
EU set to delay roll out of €20 ETIAS travel authorisation scheme until 2027
The EU is expected to delay the launch of its travel authorisation scheme known as ETIAS until 2027 because of problems and delays with the rollout of the biometric EES border checks this year, according to reports.
EES: 8,700 overstayers snared since launch of EU's new Schengen border checks
In the first six months of operation of the new EU digital border system, the Entry-Exit System (EES), more than 8,700 travellers were denied entry into Europe's border-free Schengen area because they had stayed beyond their permitted time limit.
Europe's EES border checks won't be suspended, EU insists
The European Commission is refusing to suspend strict new border controls despite pressure from airports and airlines who have demanded they be put on hold until after summer amid fears of chaos at holiday hotspots.
What's on the agenda at the next EU-UK summit... if it takes place?
The next EU-UK summit was set to take place in July but has had to be postponed due to political manoeuverings in London. So when will it take place and what's on the agenda?
What to expect with the EU's small parcel fee from July 1st
From July 1st the European Union has slapped a €3 duty on cheap parcels entering the 27-nation bloc on Wednesday to stem a surge in low-value packages, mainly from China. So how does it impact you?
'Europeans are fully awake': Why the EU is pushing for a new 'digital euro'
The European Union is moving closer to creating a digital euro as an alternative payment system for Europeans. But why are lawmakers so keen to create a virtual currency and how would it work for EU residents?
Which airlines are banned in the European Union and why?
A total of 154 airlines are banned in the European Union due to safety concerns, after the 2026 update of the ‘EU air safety list’ announced by the European Commission this week.
Only three European countries meet deadline for new pay transparency rules
Only three countries have passed into national legislation new EU pay transparency rules by the June 7th deadline, MEPs and trade unions have denounced.
EU calls on nine European countries to scrap internal Schengen border checks
The European Commission on Tuesday asked nine countries in the Schengen area, including France, Germany, Sweden, Austria, Italy, Denmark and Norway to phase out internal border checks, which have been reinstated in some cases for years.
EU agrees to implement US trade pact after Trump threats
EU lawmakers and member states reached a deal in the early hours of Wednesday to implement the bloc's nearly year-old trade pact with the United States, with President Donald Trump threatening new tariffs unless it is done by July 4th.
'Trend will continue': Number of people refused entry to Europe sees sharp rise
The number of people refused entry to the EU and Schengen area has risen dramatically, according to new statistics, while thousands of US, UK and Indian nationals have been found to be illegally present in EU/Schengen countries.
EU anti-waste law: New laptops sold in Europe must now use USB-C chargers
After standardising chargers for mobile phones, from Tuesday new computers sold in EU countries must also use the USB-C charging point, as the latest phase of EU anti-waste legislation comes into force.
UK signs deal to rejoin EU's Erasmus student exchange scheme
The UK and European Union said they have signed the legal texts allowing Britain to rejoin the bloc's Erasmus student exchange scheme, five years after Brexit forced its departure.
How the European job market will change with new pay transparency rules
A new EU directive on pay transparency, which aims to ensure equality between men and women doing the same job, could transform the European job market by guaranteeing more rights to workers.
'Historic moment': European leaders react to Orban's defeat in Hungary
European leaders reacted on Monday to the defeat of Viktor Orban, who lost Sunday's parliamentary elections in Hungary. Many hailed the result as a victory for democracy and for Europe.
Shein, Temu: Why European consumers will pay more for cheap online orders
A landmark agreement has been reached by the European Parliament and Council on the reform of EU rules around customs that include new measures to tackle e-commerce from non-EU countries. What will it mean for consumers?
What you should know about the EU's plan to tap your savings
Europe is in great need of money and the EU's plan to get hold of it is to tap the trillions of euros of EU citizens' savings. But will it work?
'Made in Europe': New push to buy European causes splits in bloc
Everyone in Europe agrees the EU needs to rescue its industry but the bloc is split over how far it should push a 'Buy European' approach in order to do so.
What the mobility deal between the EU and India will mean for skilled workers
As part of the landmark trade agreement announced on January 27th, the EU and India adopted a ‘mobility framework’ that aims to make it easier for Indian students, researchers and young professionals to move to the EU.