DAILY NEWS
Brussels, 29 April 2026
April infringements package: key decisions
Full text here: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/inf_26_720
In its regular package of infringement decisions, the European Commission takes legal action against Member States that fail to comply with their obligations under EU law. These decisions, covering various EU policy areas, aim to ensure the proper application of EU law for the benefit of citizens and businesses.
The key decisions taken by the Commission are presented below and grouped by policy area.
The Commission is also closing 70 cases where the issues with the Member States concerned have been solved. In these cases, the Commission does not have to pursue the infringement procedure further.
The Commission's enforcement activities and Member States’ compliance with EU law can be followed through interactive maps and customisable graphs. For more details on the history of a case or to access the full database of infringement decisions, the infringement decisions' register is open for consultation. And more information on the EU infringement procedure can be found in the following Q&A
Commission calls on, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Cyprus, Latvia, Hungary, Austria, Poland and Portugal to fully transpose EU rules on gender balance in company boards
Today, the European Commission decided to send reasoned opinions to Belgium (INFR(2025)0005), Bulgaria (INFR(2025)0011), Czechia (INFR(2025)0025), Cyprus (INFR(2025)0018), Latvia (INFR(2025)0073), Hungary (INFR(2025)0057), Austria (INFR(2025)0001), Poland (INFR(2025)0085) and Portugal (INFR(2025)0092) for failing to communicate the national measures transposing Directive (EU) 2022/2381 on gender balance in company boards. The Directive sets a target for large EU listed companies of 40% of the under-represented sex among their non-executive directors and 33% among all directors. The deadline for the transposition by Member States was 28 December 2024. In January 2025, the Commission decided to open infringement procedures by sending letter of formal notice to several Member States for failing to communicate the respective measures on the transposition of the Directive. To date, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Cyprus, Latvia, Hungary, Austria, Poland and Portugal have still not communicated full transposition measures, despite having been granted sufficient time to adopt and notify the required measures. Therefore, the Commission has decided to issue a reasoned opinion to the nine Member States, which now have two months to respond and take the necessary measures. Otherwise, the Commission may decide to refer the cases to the Court of Justice of the European Union, with requests to impose financial sanction.
Commission decides to refer Greece, Malta and Portugal to the Court of Justice of the European Union to ensure transposition of the reinforced rules to promote renewable energy
Today, the European Commission decided to refer Greece (INFR(2025)0214), Malta (INFR(2025)0233) and Portugal (INFR(2025)0241) to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to fully transpose into national law the provisions of the amending Directive (EU) 2023/2413 on the promotion of energy from renewable sources. The new rules aim to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy and the roll-out of homegrown clean energy across the EU in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen energy independence and lower energy prices. It seeks to deploy renewable energy in all sectors of the economy, not only in the power sector, but also and especially in those sectors where progress is more difficult like heating and cooling, buildings, transport and industry, where new or strengthened targets have been set. They introduce horizontal and cross-cutting measures to promote the deployment of renewables, such as the strengthening of guarantees of origin, facilitating energy system integration through the promotion of electrification and renewable hydrogen, and safeguards to ensure a more sustainable bioenergy production. The promotion of renewable energy is crucial for Europe's competitiveness and path to climate neutrality and a key element of the Affordable Energy Action Plan as well as the REPowerEU plan.
The Directive was adopted in 2023. Member States had to notify the transposition of the Directive by 21 May 2025, except for some provisions related to permitting, which were already due by 1 July 2024. The Commission sent Greece, Malta and Portugal a letter of formal notice in July 2025 and a reasoned opinion in December 2025 for not having transposed the Directive. Greece and Portugal have not yet notified any transposition measures. Malta has not provided sufficiently clear and precise information on how the directive has been transposed. The Commission is therefore referring Greece, Malta and Portugal to the Court of Justice of the European Union, with requests to impose financial sanctions. More information is in the press release.
Commission calls on Greece and Croatia to correctly transpose EU rules on legal aid
The European Commission decided to open an infringement procedure by sending a letter of formal notice to Greece (INFR(2026)2052) and Croatia (INFR(2026)2053) for failing to correctly transpose EU rules on legal aid for suspects and accused persons (Directive (EU) 2016/1919). EU law ensures that the basic rights of suspects and accused persons are protected, including for persons requested under a European arrest warrant. Under the Directive, decisions on legal aid must be made without undue delay by a competent and independent authority, such as a court of justice. However, in Croatia, decisions before the indictment are made by the public prosecutor, who does not meet the requirement of independence under EU law. Croatian law also fails to clearly guarantee legal aid in certain circumstances when a person is brought before justice to decide on pre-trial detention. In certain situations, Greece only grants legal aid upon request, which is contrary to the Directive. Additionally, when evaluating eligibility to legal aid, the Greek legal system fails to consider the complexity of the case or the severity of sanctions at stake, as required by EU law. Decisions on legal aid are also often delayed and lack clarity on timing. The police and prosecutors are involved in such decisions in urgent cases. This does not meet the requirement of independence under EU law. Furthermore, individuals are not always informed in writing when their request for legal aid is denied, falling short of the required standards by the Directive. The Commission is therefore sending a letter of formal notice to Greece and Croatia, which now have two months to respond and address the shortcomings raised by the Commission. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion.
Commission urges Member States to rollout EU age verification app
Today, the Commission adopted a recommendation urging Member States to accelerate the rollout of the EU age verification app and make it available by the end of the year. The secure, safe, and privacy-preserving EU age verification app is a key step in protecting children from harmful and inappropriate online content.
The Member States can roll-out the EU age verification as a standalone app or integrate it into a European Digital Identity Wallet. The recommendation also specifies the actions that Member States should take to ensure the swift availability and interoperability of the EU age verification solution.
The Commission has developed a blueprint of the EU age verification app, which enables users to prove they meet a required age threshold without revealing their exact age, identity or any other personal details. It is now for the Member States to customise and produce the app for their citizens.
Protecting children online is a priority for the Commission. Under the EU’s Digital Services Act, online platforms must ensure a high level of privacy, security and safety for minors online.
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy said:
“Effective and privacy-preserving age verification is the next piece of the puzzle that we are getting closer to completing, as we work towards an online space where our children are safe and empowered to use positively and responsibly without restricting the rights of adults.”
Commission preliminarily finds Meta in breach of Digital Services Act for failing to prevent minors under 13 from using Instagram and Facebook
The European Commission has preliminarily found Meta's Instagram and Facebook in breach of the Digital Services Act (DSA) for failing to diligently identify, assess and mitigate the risks of minors under 13 years old accessing their services.
Despite Meta's own terms and conditions setting the minimum age to access Instagram and Facebook safely at 13, the measures put in place by the company to enforce these restrictions do not seem to be effective. The measures do not adequately prevent minors under the age of 13 from accessing their services nor promptly identify and remove them, if they already gained access.
For example, when creating an account, minors below 13 can enter a false birth date that makes them at least 13 years old, with no effective controls in place to check the correctness of the self-declared date of birth.
Meta's tool for reporting minors under 13 on the platform is difficult to use and not effective, requiring up to seven clicks just to access the reporting form, which is not automatically pre-filled with the user's information. Even when a minor under 13 is reported for being under the age threshold, there often is no proper follow-up, and the reported minor can simply continue to use the service without any type of check.
This builds on an incomplete and arbitrary risk assessment, which inadequately identifies the risk of minors under 13 accessing Instagram and Facebook and being exposed to age-inappropriate experiences. Meta's assessment contradicts large bodies of evidence from all over the European Union indicating that roughly 10-12% of children under 13 are accessing Instagram and/or Facebook. Moreover, Meta seems to have disregarded readily available scientific evidence indicating that younger children are more vulnerable to potential harms caused by services like Facebook and Instagram.
At this stage, the Commission considers that Instagram and Facebook must change their risk assessment methodology, in order to evaluate which risks arise on Instagram and Facebook in the European Union, and how they manifest. Moreover, Instagram and Facebook need to strengthen their measures to prevent, detect and remove minors under the age of 13 from their service. Meta must effectively counter and mitigate risks that minors under the age of 13 could experience on the platforms, which must ensure a high level of privacy, safety and security for minors.
Next steps
In exercising their right of defence, Instagram and Facebook now have the possibility to examine the documents in the Commission's investigation files and reply in writing to the Commission's preliminary findings. The platforms can take measures to remedy the breaches, in line with the 2025 DSA Guidelines on the protection of minors. In parallel, the European Board for Digital Services will be consulted.
If the Commission's views are ultimately confirmed, the Commission may issue a non-compliance decision, which can trigger a fine proportionate to the infringement which shall in no case exceed 6% of the total worldwide annual turnover of the provider. The Commission can also impose periodic penalty payments to compel a platform to comply.
These findings do not prejudge the final outcome of the investigation.
Background
These preliminary findings are part of the Commission's formal proceedings launched against Instagram and Facebook under the DSA on 16 May 2024. The preliminary findings are based on an in-depth investigation that included an analysis of Instagram's and Facebook's risk assessment reports, internal data and documents, as well as the platforms' replies to requests for information. In the course of these investigations, the Commission's work has been supported by many civil society organisations and experts on the protection of minors across the Union.
The Commission used the 2025 DSA Guidelines on the protection of minors as a benchmark to evaluate Instagram's and Facebook's compliance with the obligation to ensure a high level of privacy, safety and security for minors. The DSA guidelines identify age estimation and age verification as an appropriate and proportionate way of ensuring a high level of privacy, safety and security for minors. To be effective, all age-assurance technologies must be accurate, reliable, robust, non-intrusive, and non-discriminatory.
The Commission developed a blueprint for an EU Age Verification app, which can serve as a reference framework for age verification with a user-friendly and privacy-preserving age verification method.
The Commission continues its investigation into other potential breaches that are part of these ongoing proceedings, including Meta's compliance with DSA obligations to protect minors and the physical and mental well-being of users of all ages. This investigation covers also the assessment and mitigation of risks arising from the design of Facebook's and Instagram's online interfaces, which may exploit the vulnerabilities and inexperience of minors, leading to addictive behaviour and reinforcing the so-called ‘rabbit hole' effects.
Quote(s)
Meta’s own general conditions indicate their services are not intended for minors under 13. Yet, our preliminary findings show that Instagram and Facebook are doing very little to prevent children below this age from accessing their services. The DSA requires platforms to enforce their own rules: terms and conditions should not be mere written statements, but rather the basis for concrete action to protect users – including children.
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy
Speech by President von der Leyen on the EU strategy in response to the ongoing Middle East crisis, its implications on energy prices and the availability of fertilisers
[European Parliament plenary debate]
“Check against delivery”
Thank you, Madam President, dear Roberta,
Deputy Minister Raouna, dear Marilena,
Honourable Members,
The informal EUCO started with good news, for Europe and Ukraine. In spring, we said we would deliver the EUR 90 billion loan – one way or the other. Now, we made good on this promise. We will disburse the first tranche of EUR 45 billion for 2026 still this quarter. One-third is for budgetary needs, two-thirds go to Ukraine's defence. The first defence package will be on drones from Ukraine, for Ukraine – worth some EUR 6 billion. Our message is clear: we will continue our support to the brave Ukrainian people and their armed forces. While Russia doubles down on its aggression, Europe doubles down on our support to Ukraine. That day we also adopted the 20th sanctions package. And yes, the sanctions have a biting effect on the Russian economy. With inflation increasing and interest rates skyrocketing, the consequences of Russia's war of choice are being paid for out of people's pockets. So much so that the Kremlin responds in its usual way, by restricting the internet and free communication. So much so that Russians feel that they live behind an Iron Curtain once again, a digital Iron Curtain. But if history has one lesson, it is that all walls eventually fall.
It has been exactly two months since the new war in the Middle East began, and we are finally witnessing a lull after weeks of violence. We all want the ceasefire in Iran and in Lebanon to hold, with the ultimate goal to re-establish peace and stability through diplomatic means. We were joined in Cyprus by leaders from Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council. This was an opportunity to reiterate our solidarity with partners. Our shared goal is now to see a lasting end to the war. This includes restoring full and permanent freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz without tolls. It is equally clear that any peace agreement will have to address Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programme. But there is also a harsh reality we all need to face: the consequences of this conflict may echo for months or even years to come. This is why energy was on top of the informal EUCO's agenda. This is the second major energy crisis in the short span of four years. The lesson should be clear for all: in a turbulent world like ours, we simply cannot be overdependent on imported energy. Let me give you two figures: in just 60 days of conflict, our bill for fossil fuel imports has increased by over EUR 27 billion, without a single molecule of additional energy. So the way forward is obvious, we must reduce our overdependency on imported fossil fuels and boost our home-grown, affordable, clean energy supply. From renewables to nuclear, in full respect of technology neutrality.
Already today, Member States with more low-carbon sources in their energy mix are less impacted by the crisis. In a country like Sweden, when the gas price increases by EUR 1 per MWh, the electricity bill only increases by EUR 0.04 per MWh, because almost all of Sweden's electricity comes from renewables and nuclear. This is how we insulate ourselves from future shocks, and this is the path to an independent Europe.
Every Member State has a different energy mix. Therefore, a blanket solution to address the current crisis would simply not work. This is why, last week, we presented a toolbox of measures that can be combined differently in different parts of the Union. Let me focus on three sets of measures. First, increased coordination at the European level. At the start of the previous energy crisis, there was a rush to gas markets, and this contributed to driving prices up. We were competing against ourselves. That is why we stepped up European coordination – for instance, with common gas procurement. This time, we are taking this approach one step further. We propose stronger coordination, not only in filling national gas storage, but also when it comes to fuel reserves – especially jet fuel and diesel, where markets are tightening. We can be so much more effective if we coordinate the release of oil stocks and make sure that refineries can step up production all across our Union. Together, we have massive market power and industrial might, let us put it at the service of all Europeans.
Second, we have to protect consumers and businesses. There is a lesson we learnt in the last crisis. Measures should be targeted to the most vulnerable households and industries only – and avoid increasing the demand for gas and oil. Let me give you a figure: during the last crisis, only a quarter of the emergency support was targeted to vulnerable households and firms. More than EUR 350 billion were spent on untargeted measures. This had a huge impact on Member States' finances, and it also undermined the measures to protect those most in need. Let us not make the same mistake again and focus our support where it matters most.
Third, we must reduce energy demand by modernising systemic energy use. In the short term, we can do this through a combination of energy efficiency, electrification and faster deployment of digital technologies. But we should also keep in mind that, overall, we will need energy in abundance – especially because of a rapid scale up of data centres and AI. Since the last crisis, we have already made great progress. In 2022, gas determined our electricity prices for 70% of the time. Today, this is down to 30%. That is why, this time, we have avoided the huge price spikes of the previous crisis. But electricity still represents less than a quarter of our final energy consumption. This is much lower than the US or China, and it has to and will change. A continent like ours – with limited fossil fuel resources – should lead the world in electrification. This is why, last December, we proposed the Grids Package. Its goal is to make our energy infrastructure fit for the electrification age. And I am glad that last week, in Cyprus, the European Parliament and the Council agreed to speed up the negotiations. As a next step, we will put forward our Electrification Action Plan by the summer, with an ambitious electrification target. In the current European budget, we have set aside almost EUR 300 billion for energy, EUR 95 billion are still available. Let us use this to make the switch to electricity – not just in transport, but also in industry and heating. This is not only a matter of affordability and competitiveness, but also of economic security. Thus, speaking of European independence, this is the moment to electrify Europe.
Finally, on the next MFF. The next EU budget is central to our competitiveness agenda. It can de-risk investment and crowd in private capital, it can fund strategic priorities at real European scale, and it can support reforms that make Europe a better place to invest. But we must be lucid about the budgetary equation. From 2028 onwards, the EU will start repaying NextGenerationEU; we need to invest more in our new priorities: European competitiveness, defence, security, etcetera; we want to sustain funding for EU's long-standing priorities: CAP, Cohesion policy; and we want to keep national contributions in check. If this is the case, the budgetary equation is clear: new own resources are indispensable. Without them, the choice is stark: higher national contributions or lower spending capacity. In other words, less Europe exactly where Europe needs to do more. This is why the Commission proposed a comprehensive package of new own resources. A package that is diversified, linked to Union policies, and capable of generating stable revenues over time. This is the only credible way to match Europe's priorities with Europe's means.
Thank you, and long live Europe.