The Commission has adopted the 2026 European Semester autumn package, setting out economic and employment policy priorities aimed at boosting competitiveness. The package focuses on supporting stronger growth, productivity, economic security, and resilience while maintaining sound public finances.
This package builds on the 2025 autumn economic forecast, which shows that the EU economy remains resilient with moderate growth. However, the EU faces structural challenges, such as low productivity, demographic pressures, and increasing demands on public finances linked to defence and the transition to a decarbonised and digital economy. Strengthening competitiveness and sound public finances are therefore essential for long-term growth and stability.
The package includes
- Assessment of EU countries’ compliance with the EU fiscal framework and guidance to ensure that their fiscal policy in 2026 is aligned with the Council recommendations
- Updates on excessive deficit procedures, keeping the ongoing procedure open for nine countries and opening one more
- Recommendation for euro area economic policy for 2026, including tailored advice to boost productivity and strengthen economic security
- Recommendation on human capital to tackle challenges that affect competitiveness, such as the negative trend in basic skills and the need to strengthen STEM education
- Alert mechanism report, the EU’s annual screening tool for early detection of potential macroeconomic imbalances
- European macroeconomic report, providing an overview of the euro area and EU economies in a rapidly evolving global environment, analysing key risks and opportunities
- Post-programme surveillance reports to assess the repayment capacity of the countries that received financial assistance
- Proposal for a joint employment report, including the first-stage country analysis of the social convergence framework
The Eurogroup and the Council will now discuss the content of this package, with the aim of endorsing it, while the Commission will discuss it with the Parliament. These discussions will guide the next steps in the European Semester cycle.
The 2026 autumn package marks the start of a new cycle of the European Semester. It provides a comprehensive overview of the fiscal, economic and social situation in EU countries, highlighting key priorities and risks. It also provides policy guidance to assist EU countries in achieving these objectives. This year, the focus is on strengthening productivity, innovation, and investment, in line with the Competitiveness Compass.
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