European Union
Latest news and information about the European Union.
EU proposes new rules on recognition of qualifications for non-EU citizens
New legislation proposed by the European Commission this week seeks to make the recognition of professional qualifications easier for non-EU citizens, a common complaint of many who've moved to the bloc from abroad.
OPINION: Do Canadians really want closer ties with Europe?
International headlines have been made this week by the EU and Canada announcing their mutual intention to form a deeper relationship. Mandy Pipher, The Local's resident Canadian, examines whether her compatriots would actually accept tighter ties with Europe.
EXPLAINED: What would change for kids and social media under new EU law?
The EU laid out plans Thursday for strict age limits for children to access social media, games and AI assistants -- and on forcing companies to make platforms safe before minors use them.
Canada's PM Carney pushes 'new alliance' with EU despite Trump threats
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney shrugged off a threat of US retaliation on Thursday as he pitched a "new alliance" with Europe as a bulwark against outside pressures, in a closely watched speech to the European Parliament.
Could Canada become the first 'associate member' of the EU?
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen raised the prospect on Wednesday of Canada becoming the 27-nation bloc's first "associate member', as she pitched closer cooperation on tech, defence and energy to Canadian leader Mark Carney.
'Europe has power to act': EU to ban social media for under 13s
The European Union will ban social media for children under 13 and allow only limited, supervised access until the age of 15 under plans unveiled Wednesday by EU chief Ursula von der Leyen.
EU Commission mulls revision of Schengen visa rules and fees
The European Commission is planning a revision of Schengen rules on short-stay visas to make the EU’s visa policy "more coherent, secure and effective, while facilitating legitimate travel".
REVEALED: Number of residency permits issued in Europe reaches record high
European Union countries issued a total of 3.9 million new residence permits to non-EU citizens in 2025, a 10 percent increase compared to 2024, and the “highest level” since records began, according to new data. But which countries issue the most?
Big tech to banking: Which companies spend the most on EU lobbying?
If there is an industry for it, there will be a lobby group representing its interests in Brussels, home to the European Union's institutions. But which companies or lobby groups splash out the most on seeking to influence EU policy?
European cities to get more power to clamp down on tourist rentals
Cities across Europe will gain more leeway to curb short-term rentals such as Airbnb under plans to bring down housing costs in tourism hotspots that the European Union is to unveil Wednesday.
Will the European Union take up the climate fight after brutal heatwaves?
Is climate change set for a comeback as a top EU priority, after a deadly summer of record-breaking heatwaves across Europe?
'Warning to Europe': How Iceland's 'No' vote is a blow to the EU
The European Union put on a brave face on Sunday in response to the Icelandic vote against resuming EU accession negotiations, but the result is no doubt a big blow to Brussels and a boon for eurosceptics.
Iceland votes 'No' to resuming EU talks
Iceland voted 'No' to resuming membership negotiations with the European Union, final referendum results showed Sunday, dealing a heavy blow to Brussels which had been keen to welcome a new wealthy member.
Iceland votes on whether to resume EU membership talks
Icelanders began voting Saturday in a referendum on whether to resume membership negotiations with the European Union, in a tight race that will be closely watched in Brussels.
As Iceland votes on the EU, which countries could be next to join?
Iceland will go to the polls on Sunday to decide whether to resume talks on EU membership. In case of a “yes” win, Iceland will become the 11th country aspiring to join the bloc. Claudia Delpero looks at the states queuing up to join the bloc.
What's the difference between Schengen and EU free movement rules?
With countries across Europe reintroducing police checks at internal borders with neighbouring states there has been renewed attention on how the borderless Schengen area works and how it's linked to the EU"s free movement principle.
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 court backs cancellation rights for Sky Austria customers
The EU's top court found on Thursday that Sky Austria could not prevent customers from cancelling their streaming subscriptions within 14 days.
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.