Agenda hebdomadaire de l’Union européenne
événements et actualités

Chaque semaine, retrouvez sur cette page les principales dates à retenir dans l’agenda de l’Union européenne : sessions du Parlement, réunions des institutions, événements publics et initiatives majeures à travers l’Europe. Une ressource utile pour les voyageurs curieux de suivre l’actualité européenne tout en explorant le continent. Découvrez comment l’UE agit au quotidien, que vous soyez sur les routes ou en pause entre deux destinations.

Europe celebrates 2026 heritage award winners

The European Heritage Awards have announced 30 winners. Among the five Grand Prix winners there figure the Cypriot Fiddler research project that documents the life stories of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot musicians and Din l-Art Ħelwa that has protected Malta’s historic sites since 1965.

EU to improve energy efficiency of buildings

New rules to improve the energy performance of buildings across the EU are coming into effect. They aim to support EU countries in modernising their building stock to save energy, reduce bills, and achieve a zero-emission and fully decarbonised building stock by 2050.

Reforming EU humanitarian aid to maximise its effectiveness

Humanitarian needs are at an all-time high in 2026 with 239 million people in need of assistance. The European Commission has set out concrete solutions to maximise the effectiveness and impact of EU humanitarian aid globally. This includes making it more efficient and protecting aid workers.

EU-funded films win big at 79th Cannes Film Festival

Six EU-funded films picked up awards at the latest Cannes Film Festival. Fjörd, which received EU support for its development, was awarded the prestigious Palme d'Or. MEDIA-supported Das Geträumte Abenteuer and Notre Salut took home the Jury prize and the Best Screenplay Award respectively.

Citizens make recommendations to strengthen EU emergency preparedness

Citizens have officially handed over 20 recommendations on how to strengthen the EU’s capacity to prevent and respond to emergencies to the European Commission. The recommendations are the result of 3 months of deliberation by 150 EU citizens in the European Citizens’ Panel on Preparedness.

New rules strengthen the welfare and traceability of cats and dogs

New EU rules establish the first harmonised EU-wide standards for the welfare, breeding, identification and traceability of cats and dogs. Their identification and registration will now be mandatory, supporting responsible breeders and owners, and closing the door on illegal operators.

Ten years of the GDPR: your data, your rights

Ten years ago, the GDPR gave Europeans real control over their personal data for the first time. From the right to access your data to the right to be forgotten, its protections apply wherever you are in the EU.

EU and Mexico sign agreements to create mutual opportunities

The EU and Mexico have agreed to deepen their political and economic cooperation at an EU-Mexico summit. Two agreements were signed that will strengthen political dialogue and create mutual opportunities in areas such as trade, investment and clean technologies.

Celebrating Natura 2000: the world’s largest network of protected natural areas

On the occasion of Natura 2000 Day, we celebrate the EU’s flagship nature network, which covers more than 27 000 nature sites in Europe. Join the celebrations by taking part in a BioBlitz and exploring a Natura 2000 site near you.

Agreement reached on implementing EU-US trade deal

The Council of the EU and the European Parliament have agreed to eliminate tariffs on all US industrial goods and provide preferential market access for certain US agricultural and seafood products. This marks an important step in delivering on the commitments made in the EU-US Joint Statement.

New rules make short-term rentals sector more transparent

New EU rules aimed at increasing transparency in the short-term rentals sector are now applying across Europe. They help increase safety for tourists through the reduction of illegal listings online and local communities better manage the impact of short-term rental activity.

Commission proposes €144 million to help Spain, Romania, and Cyprus recover from climate disasters

The European Commission has proposed to mobilise €144 million from the European Union Solidarity Fund to help Spain, Romania and Cyprus recover from devastating climate-related disasters in 2025. Spain and Cyprus suffered catastrophic wildfires last summer while severe flooding struck Romania.

One journey, one ticket, full rights: Simplifying train travel in Europe

The Commission has put forward new rules to make Europe-wide train booking and travel easier. This would enable single-ticket bookings across multiple rail operators, as well as new, full rail passenger rights protection for people with a single ticket who miss their connection.

EU issues guidance on hantavirus cruise ship outbreak

The EU has issued guidance for public health and healthcare professionals and transport personnel on managing passengers linked to the Andes hantavirus outbreak on the M/V Hondius cruise ship, including those with and without symptoms. It covers testing, quarantine, and protective measures.

EU to support workers at imminent risk of losing job

The EU has agreed to broaden the scope of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers, so that workers facing imminent unemployment now also have access to the support the Fund provides. The new rules will apply until the end of 2027.

New law to better protect Europe's waters takes effect

EU rules that update the lists of pollutants in surface and groundwaters have entered into force today. This will add stricter controls on PFAS, pesticides and pharmaceuticals. The rules also address microplastics and antimicrobial resistance to improve water resilience and cut pollution.

Europeans celebrate unity, values and democracy on Europe Day 2026

On 9 May, Europeans celebrate Europe Day. 2026 marks the 76th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, which laid the foundations for the European Union as we know it today, and led to an unprecedented era of peace, democracy, prosperity, integration and cooperation across the continent.

€1 billion for European hydrogen projects to accelerate the clean transition

Over €1 billion of EU funding will go to nine hydrogen production projects in seven EU countries. The projects are expected to produce over 1.3 million tonnes of hydrogen over 10 years, which will help reduce emissions from energy-intensive industries such as transport and chemicals.

Boosting accessibility and inclusion for persons with disabilities

90 million Europeans live with a disability. We need to achieve full inclusion to ensure that their rights are respected, which will also boost Europe's economy and democracy. To support this goal, the Commission is updating its strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities.

New EU measures to address poverty and the housing crisis

Poverty affects 1 in 5 Europeans, including 1 in 4 children, while around 1 million people are homeless across the EU. The European Commission has proposed new measures to tackle poverty and housing exclusion, including the first-ever EU anti-poverty strategy.

The Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism - Apply by 31 July 2026

The European Parliament has launched the call for submissions for entries to the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism. Every year, the Prize rewards outstanding journalism that promotes or defends EU values such as human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, rule of law, and human rights.

EU-Mercosur trade agreement starts to provisionally apply

On 1 May, the EU-Mercosur trade agreement will start being provisionally applied. It will create new opportunities for EU exporters to Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay from day one by cutting tariffs on key exports such as cars, pharmaceuticals, and most agri-food products.

Meta found in breach of EU’s Digital Services Act

The European Commission has preliminarily found Meta's Instagram and Facebook in breach of the Digital Services Act for failing to reduce the risks of minors under 13 years old accessing their services. The US tech company’s current measures to prevent access do not seem to be effective.

Data protection: marking 10 years of the GDPR

Today marks the 10th anniversary of the General Data Protection Regulation’s (GDPR) adoption, the first data protection framework that established rights for individuals and obligations for organisations across Europe. The European Data Protection Board ensures the GDPR’s enforcement.

European Youth Week 2026

European Youth Week 2026 takes place from 24 April to 1 May 2026. It promotes youth engagement, participation, and active citizenship across Europe and beyond. This year’s edition is dedicated to solidarity and fairness as we celebrate 30 years of volunteering in Europe.

Chernobyl 40 years later

How we manage nuclear safety and prepare for the future, must be guided by lessons we learn from the past. 40 years since the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, take a look at what the EU is doing to promote nuclear safety around the world and how it has helped to protect Chernobyl from further leakage.

EU institutions agree roadmap to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness

The European Parliament, the Council of the EU and the European Commission have agreed to launch the One Europe, One Market Roadmap that will help advance the EU’s competitiveness agenda. The roadmap sets out concrete actions and targets for agreements, at the latest by end 2027.

1.4 million people globally suffer acute food insecurity in 2025

Some 1.4 million people in Haiti, Mali, Gaza Strip, South Sudan, the Sudan and Yemen faced the most severe level of acute food insecurity in 2025, according to a global report on food crises. The projected outlook for 2026 sees little respite, with continued acute food insecurity in several regions.

New actions to protect Europeans from the fossil fuel crisis

In light of the current geopolitical situation, the European Commission has proposed actions to bring immediate energy relief to European households and industries, especially the most vulnerable ones. The actions also create a pathway to energy independence, away from volatile fossil fuel markets.

Winners announced of 2026 European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Award

This year's winners of the 2026 European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Award are cities and municipalities from Belgium, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain. They have been recognised for their work to build fairer societies by promoting diversity and inclusion in their neighbourhoods.