On 4 December 2024 the Council of the EU reached an agreement on a proposed framework for Financial Data Access (FIDA) that aims to open the access of financial institutions to each other’s customer data.
On 26 March 2026 the Council and the Parliament agreed to overhaul the EU customs framework, giving the Union a more modern toolbox to deal with trends such as huge increases in trade volumes, especially in e-commerce, a fast-growing number of EU standards that must be checked at the border and challenging geopolitical realities.
Today, the Council of the EU reached a political agreement on a new directive paving the way for the introduction of an electronic tax certificate for VAT exemptions. The directive will provide for an electronic certificate to replace the existing paper certificate that is used when goods are to be exempt from VAT, for example because they are imported for embassies, international organizations, or armed forces.
In two press statements the European Council approved the conclusions on a strategy for the EU’s engagement in global digital affairs and updates in the field of taxation of cooperation agreements with Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco and San Marino
The Council today agreed on a partial negotiating mandate on a fundamental reform of the EU customs framework. The overhaul will give customs authorities across the EU a more modern toolbox to deal with trends such as huge increases in trade volumes, especially in e-commerce, a fast-growing number of EU standards that must be checked at the border and shifting geopolitical realities and crises.
Today, the Council adopted a directive amending EU rules on administrative cooperation in the area of taxation. The amendments mainly concern the reporting and automatic exchange of information on revenues from transactions in crypto-assets and on advance tax rulings for the wealthiest (high-net-worth) individuals.
On 14 May 2024 the Council reached an agreement (general approach) on safer and faster procedures to obtain double taxation relief, which will help boost cross-border investment and help fight tax abuse.
On 5 November 2024 the Council reached an agreement on new measures that will bring the EU’s value added tax (VAT) rules into the digital age. With new rules on electronic invoices and real-time data reporting, as well as business carried out through digital platforms, this package of legislation will fight tax fraud, support businesses, and promote digitalization.
Today, the Council presidency and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement on two regulations aimed at implementing the tariff-related aspects of the EU-US Joint Statement, agreed on 21 August 2025.
The Council of the EU reached agreement on the position of member states (the so-called ‘general approach’) on the directive on value added tax (VAT) rules for distance sales of imported goods and import VAT.
On 14 April 2025 the Council adopted a directive (DAC9) that will extend cooperation and information exchange in the area of minimum effective corporate taxation.
Today the Council of the EU adopted new rules to improve cooperation between national data protection bodies when they enforce the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in order to speed up the process of handling cross-border data protection complaints.
The EU Council today formally adopted new value added tax (VAT) rules for distance sales of imported goods. The new rules take the form of a directive which amends directive 2006/112/EC, known as the VAT directive.
On 18 June 2025, member states' permanent representatives (Coreper) approved the Council’s stance on improving the payment services environment in the EU. The upgrade aims to reduce payment fraud, promote technological innovation, better protect consumers and increase transparency on fees.
The Council of the EU reached an agreement on a common member states’ position on a new law which will improve cooperation between national data protection authorities when they enforce the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
The Council and Parliament reached a provisional agreement on stricter EU anti money laundering rules. The new rules will harmonize the existing framework and close possible loopholes used by criminals to launder illicit proceeds or finance terrorist activities through the financial system.
The Council today provisionally agreed new rules to strengthen the fight against value added tax (VAT) fraud in the EU by ramping up cooperation between member states, the European public prosecutor’s office (EPPO) and the European anti-fraud office (OLAF).
On 7 December 2021 the Council reached agreement on a proposal to update EU rules on rates of value added tax (VAT). The updates ensure member states are treated equally and give them more flexibility to apply reduced and zero VAT rates. The rules will also phase out preferential treatments for environmentally harmful goods.
In conclusions approved on 5 October 2021, the Council decided to remove Anguilla, Dominica and Seychelles from the EU list of non-cooperative countries and territories for tax purposes. All three had previously been placed on the “black list” because they did not meet the EU’s tax transparency criteria of being ranked as at least ‘largely compliant’ by the OECD Global Forum regarding the exchange of information on request.
