EXCLUSIVA Check here the European Commission’s work programme for 2027: the schedule of new laws and initiatives

The European Commission has already defined the main initiatives it intends to drive forward during 2027. The work programme of the EU executive includes 23 new initiatives ranging from the simplification of digital and financial regulation to the review of environmental rules, security and labour mobility.

The document, which includes an indicative submission schedule, distributes the proposals across the four quarters of next year. Among the main developments are a package for digital transformation and copyright, a reform of the visa rules, a housing simplification package and new measures to strengthen the Union’s economic and technological security.

Planning distinguishes between legislative initiatives, which may translate into new EU rules, and non-legislative actions, such as strategies, recommendations or action plans. The Commission warns that deadlines are indicative and may be modified during the preparation of each file.

Below, the complete schedule of the new initiatives planned by Brussels for 2027.

First quarter of 2027 (January-March)

The first quarter will concentrate initiatives related to bank financing, transport, migration policy and territorial cohesion.

1. Omnibus on bank financing. A legislative proposal to improve competitiveness and simplify the regulatory framework for bank financing. It is part of the work to complete the Banking Union.

2. Simplification package for transport. A legislative proposal to reduce regulatory burdens and simplify the regulatory framework affecting the transport sector.

3. Update of the visa rules. A legislative reform of the European visa framework to facilitate legitimate travel, labour mobility and the arrival of qualified talent to the European Union.

4. Strategy on the right to stay (Right to Stay). A non-legislative initiative to address the demographic and economic challenges of European regions and to encourage their citizens to be able to build their future in their places of origin.

5. Recommendation on security in policy. The Commission will present a recommendation to prevent and respond to threats against election candidates and public representatives.

Second quarter of 2027 (April-June)

The second quarter will be one of the periods with the highest level of regulatory activity. Brussels will focus proposals in the digital sphere, copyright, housing, police cooperation, and the management of natural resources.

1. Digital transformation package, simplification and copyright. Legislative proposal to revise the digital regulatory framework and adapt it to technological advances. It will include a review of the objectives of the Digital Decade and measures to protect human creativity and copyright in light of the development of artificial intelligence.

2. RefuelEU Aviation. Legislative proposal to revise the European framework relating to aviation fuels.

3. International exchange of data for police cooperation (Prüm International). Legislative initiative to strengthen the exchange of information between the police authorities of the Member States.

4. Housing simplification package. Legislative proposal aimed at reducing administrative burdens and facilitating the construction and rehabilitation of homes in order to increase the housing supply.

5. European Care Deal (European Care Pact). Non-legislative initiative to promote affordable and high-quality care services, reduce shortages of workers, and improve the sector’s professional working conditions.

6. European Water Initiative. Legislative or non-legislative proposal to improve the management of water resources and strengthen the security of water supply for citizens, industries, and agriculture.

7. European plan against heatwaves. Non-legislative initiative to improve the preparedness and response of the Member States to episodes of extreme temperatures and their consequences.

8. Recommendation to prohibit conversion practices. The Commission will present a non-legislative recommendation addressed to the Member States to promote a ban on these practices.

Third quarter of 2027 (July–September)

The agenda for the third quarter will be shaped by the competitiveness of the single market, administrative simplification, industrial policy, and climate objectives.

1. Prevention of the fragmentation of the single market by providers. Legislative or non-legislative initiative to address practices that fragment the internal market and limit the free movement of goods and services.

2. Proposal to speed up the granting of permits. Legislative or non-legislative initiative to streamline administrative procedures and facilitate the rollout of strategic projects for the European economy.

3. Prevention of barriers in the single market. New legislative or non-legislative initiative to reduce obstacles that hinder the functioning of the internal market.

4. Guarantee of Skills (Skills Guarantee). Non-legislative initiative to promote training and professional reskilling of workers towards strategic sectors and activities in growth.

5. Review of CO2 emissions targets for heavy-duty vehicles. Legislative proposal to review the European emissions standards applicable to trucks and other heavy-duty vehicles.

6. Review of nature protection directives. The Commission will review the regulatory framework that includes the Birds and Habitats directives and the regulation linked to the Natura 2000 network.

Fourth quarter of 2027 (October-December)

The final quarter will be driven by higher education and cooperation between European universities.

1. Alliances of European Universities 2.0. The Commission will drive a new phase of cooperation between universities to strengthen innovation and European competitiveness.

2. Legal status for the alliances of European Universities. Legislative proposal to amend the Regulation on European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation and to provide these alliances with a specific legal status.

3. Alliances of European Universities: innovation and competitiveness. Non-legislative initiative to promote cross-border cooperation between higher education institutions and to strengthen their contribution to European economic development.

Initiatives without an assigned quarter

The work programme also includes other initiatives for which the Commission has not yet set a quarterly submission schedule.

1. European Corporation of Critical Raw Materials. Legislative or non-legislative initiative to strengthen the diversification of the supply of strategic raw materials and reduce external dependencies of the Union.

2. Post-2030 framework and energy simplification package. Legislative proposal to update the Community energy framework once the 2030 horizon has been passed.

3. Review of the Regulation on political advertising. Legislative proposal to review the European framework that regulates political advertising.

Other strategic priorities of the Commission for 2027

Beyond the initiatives included in the quarterly calendar of the annex, the work programme includes other political commitments that will shape the activity of the Community Executive during the coming year.

Among them, a industrial strategy to accelerate the deployment of artificial intelligence stands out across five sectors: health, transport, agri-food, advanced manufacturing and defense and space. Brussels also intends to strengthen European capabilities in microchips, data and computing.

In the field of defense, the Commission proposes to develop an European Instrument for Strategic Facilitators, intended to strengthen shared capabilities in areas such as strategic transport, space and cyberdefense. It will also explore the possibility of establishing a European Security Council with its closest partners.

The agenda also includes, in addition, the development of the European Shield of Democracy, new measures to combat disinformation and informational manipulation, and the launch of the so-called Congress of Europe, which will bring together representatives from different fields to debate the future of the Community project.

In short, the 2027 calendar will ultimately be shaped by Brussels’ ambition to reduce its strategic dependencies, strengthen the competitiveness of the internal market, and adapt the European regulatory framework to the new technological, economic and geopolitical challenges.