European Commission's work programme 2026
The work programme builds on the political guidelines (Link), President von der Leyen’s mandate letters to the College of Commissioners and the content of the 2025 State of the Union address (Link) It doubles down on the Commission’s current core priorities by aiming to strengthen competitiveness, assume a leading role in clean and digital innovation, reinforce Europe’s unique social model, and ensure collective security.
The Commission will continue to reduce administrative burdens for people, businesses and administrations in 2026. The first Overview Report on Simplification (Link), Implementation and Enforcement, also adopted today, highlights the progress achieved so far. This includes the six omnibus packages and other simplification proposals, designed to deliver annual cost savings of over €8.6 billion for businesses and citizens.
New initiatives relevant to higher education, academic mobility and research
List of initiatives based on the work programme
| Key priorities according to the Political Guidelines of the European Commission (2025-2029) | Policy objective | Initiative |
| A new plan for Europe’s sustainable prosperity and competitiveness | ||
| Research and Innovation | European Research Area Act (legislative, Article 182 TFEU, Q3 2026) | |
| Research and Innovation | European Biotech Act II (legislative, Article 114 TFEU, Q3 2026) | |
| Research and Innovation | Quantum Act (legislative, Articles 173, 180 and 184 TFEU, Q2 2026) | |
| Supporting people, strengthening our societies and our social model | ||
| Education package | Education package: European school alliances and Basic Skills Support Scheme (non-legislative, Q3 2026) | |
| Education package | 2030 Roadmap on the future of digital education and skills (non-legislative, Q3 2026) | |
| Fair labour mobility package | Proposal for a European Social Security Pass (legislative, Article 48 TFEU, Q3 2026) | |
| Fair labour mobility package | Strengthen the European Labour Authority (legislative, Articles 46 and 48 TFEU, Q3 2026) | |
| Protecting our democracy, upholding our values | ||
| People | Action plan against cyberbullying (non-legislative, Q1 2026) | |
| Equality | Gender equality strategy 2026-2030 (non-legislative, Q1 2026) | |
| Enhancing the strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities up to 2030 (non-legislative, Q2 2026) | ||
| A global Europe: Leveraging our power and partnerships | ||
| Global | Joint Communication on a Middle East strategy, including supporting the transition in Syria and Lebanon (non-legislative, Q2 2026) | |
| Humanitarian aid | Communication on humanitarian aid (non-legislative, Q2 2026) | |
| Health | Global health resilience initiative (non-legislative, Q2 2026) |
Link to the work programme: Commission work programme 2026
