Escalating global tensions, heightened security risks, climate change issues, volatile energy prices and cost of living pressures all weigh heavily on Europe’s economy. These pressures are affecting households and businesses, too. In response, the European Commission has set out policy guidance for EU countries to help them revitalise the EU'scompetitiveness. The guidance also steers EU countries along a path to greaterstrategic autonomy, economic and social resilience and cohesion, while maintaining fiscal sustainability.

In the country reports for this year, the Commission analyses economic and social developments in each EU country and assesses the extent to which they have been implementing thecountry-specific recommendationsadopted in 2025. Based on the findings, it provides targeted recommendations to EU countries to take action in certain policy areas, like

- lowering single market barriers

- boosting research and development investment

- promoting pensions in supplementary pension schemes

- ensuring the affordability of housing

- accelerating the affordable green energy transition

The Commission also assessed progress in the implementation by concerned EU countries of theirmedium-term fiscal structural plansand the existence ofmacroeconomic imbalancesfor the seven EU countries selected forin-depth reviewsin the2026 alert mechanism report.

Furthermore, inpost-programme surveillance reportsthe Commission assessed the economic, fiscal and financial situation of EU countries that have benefited from financial assistance programmes, focusing on their repayment capacity.

The Commission also proposes updating employment guidelines, setting common priorities for national employment and social policies to make them fairer and more inclusive. These cover new elements focused onimproving job qualityas well as investing in human capital, bystrengthening skills and education.

Delivering on these priorities requires sustained reforms and investment across the EU. In this context, theRecovery and Resilience Facility (RRF),Cohesion policyand other EU funding instruments continue to play a central role in supporting EU countries’ reform efforts and strategic investments.

The Eurogroup and the Council of the European Union will now discuss the documents presented in the2026 European Semester Spring Package, with a view to endorsing the guidance offered.

Questions and answers on the 2026 European Semester Spring Package

2026 European Semester Spring Package - Documents

Country pages - Economy and Finance - European Commission

Press release: 2026 Spring Semester Package presents a roadmap for advancing economic resilience and social cohesion across the EU