# EU Inc. – 28th Regime Canonical URL: https://digital-acquis.eu/initiative/eu-inc-28th-regime Entry type: initiative Source edition current through: 17 July 2026 (2026-07-17). This is not a page modification date. Status: in progress. A delivered initiative is not necessarily legislation in force. Instrument: Law Date as recorded: 18 Mar 2026 Date kind: date Status note: JF-2473 seated decision S061 (2026-08-14). Promised timeline: Planned for Q1 2026. Record content updated: 2026-08-14 ## Previous steps Consultation ## Summary It will create an optional, EU-wide corporate framework—digital by default—to let innovative firms set up, operate, and raise capital seamlessly across borders. The proposal may rely on TFEU Article 352 or a harmonised national form via Articles 50/114, with a progressive, modular design. It targets 48-hour incorporation and “once-only” data sharing via BRIS, EUID, and an EU Company Certificate, leveraging the European Business Wallet. Investment-friendly options under consideration include simpler capital increases, flexible share classes, and standard private-equity terms. Complementing the European Innovation Act, it cuts failure costs, fragmentation, and compliance burdens. ## Sources - [Official source]() - [Towards a 28th regime for EU companies]() ## Action items (0; complete published list) ## Citing documents - [Political Guidelines 2024-29]() — status: not recorded. The Political Guidelines link European competitiveness with industrial renewal, digital innovation and simpler rules for businesses. They propose support for AI, data sharing, biotechnology and strategic investment, alongside cleaner energy, circular production and changes to public procurement. A Union of Skills would connect education, training and recognition of qualifications across borders. The programme also covers hospital cybersecurity, protection against online manipulation and harmful platform design, and measures to improve working conditions. International partnerships and economic security form part of this agenda, while institutional reforms and stronger cooperation on lawmaking are intended to support its implementation. Source document doc-002, action item 30003: > To support this, I will propose a new EU-wide legal status to help innovative companies grow. This will take the form of a so-called 28th regime to allow companies to benefit from a simpler, harmonised set of rules in certain areas. - [State of the Union 2025]() — status: not recorded. The address connects European competitiveness and technological sovereignty with simpler business rules, stronger investment and faster development of digital and clean technologies. It outlines work on startup finance, the 28th regime and the Single Market, alongside AI infrastructure, quantum technology, circular production and industrial acceleration. Energy measures focus on grids and infrastructure bottlenecks. The address also proposes support for independent journalism and media literacy, and expert advice on protecting children online. Institutional cooperation and changes to EU decision-making are presented as further elements of the reform agenda. Source document doc-008, action item 90001: > Our proposals will cut EUR 8 billion a year of bureaucratic costs for European companies. A digital Euro for example will make it easier for companies and consumers alike. And further omnibuses are on their way – for example on military mobility or digital. For innovative companies, we are preparing the so-called 28th regime and speeding up the work on the Savings and Investments Union. Because we have many high potential startups in key technologies like quantum, AI or biotech. As they grow, the limited availability of risk capital forces them to turn to foreign investors. This is wealth and jobs going elsewhere. And it jeopardises our tech sovereignty. This is why the Commission will partner with private investors on a multi-billion-euro Scaleup Europe Fund. It will help make major investments in young, fast-growing companies in critical tech areas. Because we want the best of Europe to Choose Europe. We need clear political deadlines. This is why we will present a Single Market Roadmap to 2028. On capital, services, energy, telecoms, the 28th regime and the fifth freedom for knowledge and innovation. Only what gets measured, gets done. - [Commission work programme 2026 + Annex]() — status: not recorded. The 2026 work programme sets out planned legislation and policy initiatives across competitiveness, technology, energy and social policy. It includes changes to company rules, innovation and procurement, together with proposals concerning advanced materials, chips, cloud infrastructure, quantum technology and biotechnology. Other work covers product rules, circularity, energy systems, capital markets and competition procedures. Security and border-management measures sit alongside proposals on jobs, labour mobility, education, digital fairness and audiovisual media. Better regulation and intergenerational fairness are also part of this programme, which records indicative timetables and proposed legal bases. Source document doc-009, action item 100001: > 28th Regime for Innovative Companies (legislative, Articles 50 and 114 TFEU, Q1 2026) - [One Europe, one Market]() — status: not recorded. Source document doc-012, action item 130001: > a) a 28th regime for company law, to help European companies, in particular innovative companies, SMEs and start-ups, to operate and scale up across the Single Market, on a simple and digital-by-default basis. This optional harmonised regime for companies should be agreed by the co-legislators by the end of 2026, on the basis of the Commission proposal of 18 March 2026; - [Competitiveness Compass]() — status: not recorded. The Competitiveness Compass brings together work on innovation, industrial transition and the conditions for businesses to grow in Europe. Its agenda spans startups, strategic technologies, research and investment, alongside affordable energy, cleaner industry and circular production. Measures on the Single Market, simpler rules, procurement and standardisation accompany this sectoral work. The programme also includes trade partnerships, raw-material supplies, security and preparedness. Skills, labour mobility and quality jobs connect the economic agenda with workforce needs. The programme combines strategies, legislative proposals, investment initiatives and coordination measures across these policy areas. Source document doc-019, action item 180002: > 28th regime [Q4 2025 – Q1 2026] - [Single Market Strategy]() — status: not recorded. The Single Market Strategy addresses obstacles to operating, trading and working across EU borders. It combines simplification and stronger implementation with changes to company rules, public procurement, product regulation and services. Digital procedures, common standards and better recognition of qualifications are intended to reduce fragmentation. The strategy also covers worker mobility, construction and business services, communications networks and transport. Measures for SMEs and small mid-caps seek to make compliance more proportionate and improve access to markets and finance. Cooperation with national authorities and potential changes to preventive and enforcement tools support the wider programme. Source document doc-033, action item 320009: > Establish common rules to facilitate the digital setup of businesses and their operations across the Single Market (Legislative proposal on ‘28th regime’ - Q1 2026) - [Startup and Scaleup Strategy]() — status: not recorded. The strategy aims to make it easier for innovative companies to start, grow and operate across Europe. It combines simpler company rules and digital administration with better access to finance, markets, talent and research infrastructure. Proposed measures include the 28th regime, the European Business Wallet, regulatory sandboxes and support for deep-tech investment. Work on research commercialisation, intellectual property and procurement is intended to help ideas reach customers. Talent initiatives address education, mobility and recruitment, while common definitions, a scoreboard and an annual founder survey would track changes in the startup and scaleup environment. Source document doc-035, action item 330001: > The Commission will propose a European 28th regime which will provide a single set of rules for companies. It would include an EU corporate legal framework, based on digital-by-default solutions, and will help companies overcome barriers in setting up, scaling up and operating companies across the Single Market. To do so, it will simplify applicable rules and reduce the cost of failure, by addressing specific aspects within relevant areas of law, including insolvency, labour and tax law. It will explore the possibility of enabling companies to establish in Europe more rapidly, ideally within 48 hours (Q1 2026). - [EU Defence Industry Transformation Roadmap]() — status: not recorded. Source document doc-062, action item 510005: > Reinforce and leverage the potential of the 28th regime concepts to support defence companies in overcoming barriers to setting up, accessing finance, scaling, and operating across the Single Market, building on ongoing work in this area. The Commission will propose mutual recognition schemes to align certification and validation of defence technologies across the EU. It will develop, in close cooperation with HEDI (EDA), policy guidance and best practices for Member States, to foster coherent regulatory frameworks for the acceleration of operational testing and experimentation and support the rapid development and adoption of emerging technologies [by end 2026]. - [The 2026 Annual Single Market and Competitiveness Report]() — status: not recorded. Source document doc-087, action item 610004: > The Commission is putting forward measures to close the innovation gap. The 28th regime (EU Inc.) will provide a single set of rules for companies to set up, operate and grow throughout the EU, creating fertile ground for start-ups, scale-ups and European unicorns. The European Innovation Act will expedite the market journey for innovations across sectors, while the multi-billion Scaleup Europe Fund will partner with private investors to aid company growth. The European Research Area Act will seek to remove barriers to knowledge sharing and promote the 5th freedom. The Digital Networks Act will reduce fragmentation in the Single Market. The Cybersecurity Act, the Quantum Act and the Cloud and AI Development Act will strengthen the sovereignty and security of European technologies and infrastructures. The implementation of the Union of Skills aims to build skills for quality jobs. ## Current developments Latest updates from Digital Policy Alert and Global Trade Alert. No reviewed developments available; this does not establish that no developments exist. ## Associated policy priorities - [Single Market Deepening & Harmonisation]() ## Broader policy context (shared priority; not a direct citation) - [Action Plan against Cyberbullying]() — status: delivered. The Commission will present a comprehensive EU approach to prevent, detect and respond to cyberbullying, with a primary focus on minors and youth. It will set a common EU definition, promote national strategies and focal points (e.g. trusted flaggers), and prioritise vulnerable groups including girls and women, LGBTIQ youth, migrants and persons with disabilities. Actions span prevention and digital well-being, safer product design, streamlined reporting and takedown (scaling good practices like France’s App 3018), victim support, and proportionate responses to perpetrators. Delivery will leverage and enforce the DSA, BIK+ and victims/VAW directives, with progress monitored through Safer Internet Centres, BIK policy reports and DSA enforcement. - [AVMSD Revision]() — status: forthcoming. The Commission will run the AVMSD ex-post evaluation under Article 33 by 19 December 2026, followed, where appropriate, by proposals to review the Directive. Council conclusions (May 2025) suggested key reform priorities: clarify scope (incl. influencers/professional creators), ensure coherent interplay with DSA/EMFA, strengthen protection of minors and rules for VSPs, safeguard prominence/access to general-interest content and major events, and improve cross-border enforcement through the new European Board for Media Services. The exercise should keep the Single Market as the anchor (country-of-origin), avoid overlapping obligations, and de-risk regulatory fragmentation via clear definitions and digital-by-default, once-only procedures. - [Circular Economy Act (CEA)]() — status: forthcoming. The Act will create a true Single Market for waste and secondary raw materials, boosting supply and demand for quality recyclates at competitive prices. It will harmonise end-of-waste criteria, simplify and expand extended producer responsibility (including a one-stop producer registry), and revise e-waste rules to recover critical materials, while aligning with the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products framework. Public procurement criteria, incentives for scrap use, and digitalised demolition permits will accelerate circular design and recycling. Strong enforcement—including for e-commerce channels—will ensure compliance. - [Consumer Protection Cooperation Regulation (CPCR) Reform]() — status: forthcoming. The Consumer Protection Cooperation Regulation provides a framework for national authorities to work together on cross-border breaches of consumer rules. The authorities can seek information from domain registrars and banks, use mystery shopping, and order the immediate removal of websites hosting scams. The Commission coordinates cooperation and can coordinate EU-wide action, while authorities may accept business commitments to correct practices and provide remedies and compensation. - [Cybersecurity Act 2 & Simplification Package]() — status: in progress. Cybersecurity Act 2 would repeal the current Cybersecurity Act and reform ENISA, the European cybersecurity certification framework and ICT supply-chain security rules. The proposal aims to strengthen EU cyber capabilities and resilience, improve coordinated governance, speed certification schemes and reduce fragmented compliance requirements. It would provide a harmonised framework for non-technical ICT supply-chain risks, including measures addressing high-risk suppliers, while a related directive would simplify scope, definitions, ransomware reporting and supervision of cross-border service providers. - [Digital Fairness Act (DFA)]() — status: forthcoming. Based on a fitness check of EU consumer law in 2024, the Commission plans to propose a Digital Fairness Act that curbs manipulative design (“dark patterns”), addictive features and subscription traps; clarifies rules for influencer and AI-driven marketing; strengthens protections for minors; and streamlines information duties so consumers face less overload and can cancel easily. Options include amending the Unfair Commercial Practices and Consumer Rights directives or proposing a new regulation, ensuring coherence with the DSA, DMA and the AI Act. It will drive harmonised, high-impact enforcement with clear duties for platforms and advertisers, easy redress for consumers, and deterrent penalties. - [e-Declaration for the Posting of Workers]() — status: in progress. The proposed e-Declaration would create a voluntary multilingual public interface linked to the Internal Market Information System for posting-worker declarations. Participating host Member States could require service providers from other Member States to use a standard electronic form, with data transferred automatically to national authorities. The proposal aims to reduce administrative burden, improve administrative cooperation and inspections, and support protection of posted workers' rights without changing the underlying posting framework. - [E-commerce Toolbox]() — status: delivered. The E-commerce Toolbox combines customs, product-safety, consumer, digital and market-surveillance measures for online retail. It calls for progress on customs reform and proposes controls on imports shipped directly to consumers, coordinated enforcement and safety actions. The Commission also plans action on product passports, interoperable enforcement databases, web crawlers, marketplace cooperation, consumer awareness, professional training, cooperation with countries of origin and investigation of possible dumping or illegal subsidisation. - [Energy Labelling Omnibus]() — status: in progress. On 24 June 2026 the Commission proposed a regulation simplifying the EU rules on energy labelling and tyre labelling, one of its omnibus simplification packages. The Commission says the simplified rules will make requirements easier for suppliers and retailers of home appliances, electronic devices and tyres, while ensuring that consumers still receive the information they need when buying a product. The proposal keeps the energy labelling framework, which the Commission says has proven effective in reducing energy use, and streamlines the rules to make them easier to apply, cut costs and facilitate enforcement. It widens digital options, such as electronic shelf displays, a QR code in related documentation or on the product, and displaying the label as part of the contractual offer. The Commission estimates administrative savings of up to €125 million annually over the next 10 years. Some newer labels, including those for smartphones, will also give information on durability and repairability. - [EU Action Plan on Online Fraud]() — status: forthcoming. The EU Action Plan on Online Fraud is a forthcoming Commission initiative announced in the 2030 Consumer Agenda and action plan for consumers in the single market, adopted on 19 November 2025. The Commission says online fraud schemes are among the fastest growing crimes online and are causing significant harm to consumers. To strengthen the ability to combat online fraud in the EU, it will publish an action plan on online fraud. Its goals will include boosting prevention measures, making law enforcement action more effective and strengthening support for fraud victims in recovering their funds. The Consumer Agenda does not give a date for the action plan's publication. - [EU Digital Travel Application]() — status: in progress. The EU Digital Travel application would let travellers create a digital travel credential and submit travel data for checks before reaching an external border. The proposal aims to reduce bottlenecks while helping border authorities verify documents, identity and security risks in advance. It provides for single or repeated use, secure validation against the travel document's chip and possible storage in the European Digital Identity Wallet. - [European Business Wallet]() — status: in progress. It will provide a legally recognised digital identity for economic operators, enabling companies to share verified data and credentials across borders and receive notifications in a secure channel. Built on BRIS and the European Unique Identifier, and aligned with the EU Digital Identity Wallet rollout and the Once-Only Technical System, it replaces document-heavy compliance with interoperable, data-based exchanges. The Wallet is a cornerstone of the Single Market simplification agenda and the EU Startup & Scaleup Strategy, lowering costs for SMEs, easing licensing and reporting, and making cross-border operations seamless, turning digital-by-default rules into practice across the EU business lifecycle. - [European Product Act (EPA)]() — status: forthcoming. The European Product Act would update three parts of EU product law: the new legislative framework of product rules, market surveillance and compliance, and standardisation. The Commission work programme 2026 schedules the legislative measures for Q3 2026. It cites Article 114 TFEU for the framework and standardisation updates, and Articles 33 and 114 TFEU for market surveillance and compliance. - [MDR/IVDR Reform]() — status: in progress. The MDR/IVDR reform proposal seeks a leaner, less costly framework for medical devices and in vitro diagnostic devices while retaining a high level of patient health protection. It would improve oversight and coordination of notified bodies, widen the expertise and advisory role of expert panels, and provide further support through the European Medicines Agency. The proposal also aims to improve the single market and reduce risks of device shortages. - [Multimodal Digital Mobility Services]() — status: in progress. The proposed Regulation on multimodal booking aims to make it easier for travellers to search for, compare, combine and book travel options across transport modes. It would set common requirements for multimodal digital mobility services, including neutral display and ranking, marketing-information data, emissions information and certain data sharing. The proposal excludes SMEs from its scope, repeals the computerised-reservation-systems code of conduct, and provides for national enforcement, complaints, penalties, monitoring and reporting. - [Omnibus IV (mid-caps)]() — status: in progress. The Commission will fast-track simplification by empowering common technical specifications when harmonised standards lag, and by digitalising compliance so firms can demonstrate conformity faster and paper-free. The package also extends existing SME mitigating measures to small mid-caps and removes redundant paper requirements in product laws, easing conformity assessment and cutting reporting overlaps. Together with the Single Market Strategy, it targets quicker time-to-market, legal certainty and lower costs while maintaining high safety and consumer protection. Delivery will be tied to measurable burden-reduction targets and periodic scorecards so businesses see real, near-term gains in every Member State. - [One Europe, One Market Roadmap]() — status: delivered. The Commission will set milestones to finish the Single Market where it matters most (i.e. capital, services, energy and telecoms) while advancing a 28th regime and a ‘fifth freedom’ for knowledge and innovation. The roadmap will tackle the “Terrible Ten” barriers, codify digital-by-default procedures, and use the Competitiveness Coordination Tool to align national reforms and EU investment. A delivery scoreboard will track progress, backed by faster infringement action and “once-only” data sharing for firms. Measures include deepening the Capital Markets/Savings & Investment Union, grid and interconnector build-out, the Digital Networks Act, and service-sector opening, turning commitments into measurable outcomes. - [Single Digital Booking and Ticketing]() — status: in progress. The Commission will propose an EU framework enabling passengers to buy a single ticket for cross-border rail journeys across multiple operators, with passengers’ rights applying across the whole trip. It will mandate interoperable data and open, non-discriminatory APIs for schedules, fares and reservation systems; ensure through-ticketing, real-time disruption information and seamless refunds/re-routing; and set governance for liability, revenue settlement and dispute resolution. The initiative complements paperless mobility actions and aims to make rail a convenient, default choice for long-distance travel while boosting tourism and Single Market integration. - [Single Market Barriers Prevention Act]() — status: forthcoming. The EU will move from reacting to fragmentation to preventing it at source. Building on the Single Market Strategy, the Act would systematise ex-ante screening of draft national measures, reinforce notification/transparency obligations, and require Member States to self-assess EU-law compliance before adoption, curbing “gold-plating.” It would hard-wire a competitiveness/SME check for significant amendments, introduce rapid-reaction deadlines to fix non-compliant rules, and align agencies and regulators to ensure uniform application. Annual progress reporting and more decisive infringement where needed will anchor accountability, complemented by a shift to digital-by-default administration and a “1-in, 27-out” simplification ethos to keep new barriers from emerging. --- [Reading guide and interpretation notes]() · [Methodology]()