News from the European Union and its member states
The European Union is preparing new measures to improve access to financing for startups and scaleups, aiming to prevent promising companies from relocating abroad in search of investment and accelerate Europe's innovation ecosystem.
EUBizNews Editorial••5 min read
Brazil accounted for nearly four-fifths of Italian exports to the South American bloc in May, while Uruguay and Paraguay recorded the highest percentage increases. The figures coincide with the first month of provisional application of the EU–Mercosur trade agreement, although a longer data series will be needed to measure its impact.
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Expanding drone and counter-drone programmes are increasing demand for materials also used by civilian industries. Projects in Europe, Canada and Brazil aim to diversify supplies, but much of the additional capacity remains under development.
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Energy prices accelerated in August, pushing inflation further above the European Central Bank’s target. However, a decline in core inflation complicates the case for sustained interest rate increases beyond the move markets expect in September.
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Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs finances part of the travel and living costs of aspiring founders and business owners with less than three years of experience. Applications remain open throughout the year, exchanges last between one and six months, and the programme has no upper age limit.
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Europe’s largest economy expanded for a third consecutive quarter and business confidence improved sharply, but weak investment, subdued consumption and falling employment show that Germany’s recovery remains fragile.
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Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, Poland and Portugal want EU finance ministers to debate a new levy on extraordinary oil profits, reviving a controversial policy first deployed during the 2022 energy crisis.
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The ECB president says the three pillars that supported Europe’s post-war economic expansion are weakening simultaneously, while fragmented markets threaten the continent’s ability to compete in artificial intelligence and retain fast-growing companies.
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Europe is entering the final stretch before the heating season with gas inventories at historically low levels, while heatwaves, supply disruptions and stronger power demand push prices higher. The energy shock could also complicate the ECB’s fight against inflation.
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The ECB president says Europe risks repeating the mistakes of the first digital revolution as the United States and China race ahead in artificial intelligence. Fragmented markets, limited access to capital and difficulties scaling companies are emerging as critical weaknesses for the EU economy.
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A proposal before the Lithuanian parliament would raise the tax on betting, online gambling, casinos and several other gaming activities from 22% to 30%, while lottery taxation would climb from 18% to 25%. The initiative remains under parliamentary consideration as Lithuania prepares a broader transformation of its gambling market.
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Eurozone growth remains modest, yet investors are finding opportunities in globally dominant European companies, from ASML and luxury groups to banks, defence manufacturers and electrical infrastructure specialists. With around two-thirds of listed European companies’ revenues generated outside the region, the investment case for Europe increasingly depends less on GDP growth and more on the global reach of its corporate champions.
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Consumer prices accelerated again in July, reaching their highest annual rate in more than two years. Electricity and fuel are driving the rebound amid renewed tensions in global energy markets, while food inflation continues to ease. The divergence highlights an increasingly uncomfortable challenge for Spain: maintaining strong economic activity while external energy shocks return to household and business costs.
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Heatwaves, drought, wildfires and disruptions to energy, transport and agriculture could cost the European Union close to 1% of GDP this year, according to an analysis by Triodos Bank. France emerges as the most exposed of the bloc’s major economies, while the economic consequences of extreme temperatures are increasingly turning climate adaptation into a competitiveness issue for European businesses.
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The plan includes a fourth runway, a major new terminal complex and extensive upgrades to existing infrastructure, reinforcing Rome’s ambitions to become an even stronger intercontinental hub.
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Spain is gaining ground on the European private equity map as international investors turn their attention to its extensive ecosystem of entrepreneur-led and family-owned mid-sized companies.
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Household purchasing power is showing signs of weakness across advanced economies despite continued economic growth. Real household income per capita increased by just 0.2% across the OECD in the first quarter of 2026, while real GDP per capita grew by 0.3%. Greece and Austria recorded the steepest income declines, while Hungary and Chile stood out with strong gains, highlighting an increasingly uneven economic picture.
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The European Investment Bank is providing €100 million to BRD Sogelease IFN to improve access to long-term financing for Romanian SMEs and mid-sized companies. Around 80% of the funding is expected to support investments in less-developed cohesion regions, while 15% will be reserved for green projects spanning energy efficiency, renewables and sustainable transport.
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European banks are entering a new phase in which operational excellence, cost efficiency and digital transformation are becoming the primary drivers of profitability. As the extraordinary earnings generated by higher interest rates begin to moderate, financial institutions are increasingly focused on improving productivity, streamlining operations and investing in technology to sustain long-term growth.
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Germany's automotive sector is undergoing one of its most significant transformations in decades as manufacturers accelerate restructuring plans to adapt to electric mobility, intensifying competition from China and rising production costs. Thousands of jobs are expected to be affected as the industry shifts towards a new technological and competitive landscape.
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Annual inflation in the euro area increased to 2.9% in July, up from 2.8% in June, as higher energy prices pushed consumer costs higher across the bloc. The latest figures add to expectations that the European Central Bank (ECB) may consider further monetary tightening if inflationary pressures persist.
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The European Union has unveiled a €10 billion programme to establish seven artificial intelligence gigafactories, aiming to strengthen Europe's AI infrastructure and reduce its dependence on foreign technology providers. The initiative is expected to mobilise an additional €20 billion in private investment, making it one of the bloc's largest technology infrastructure projects to date.
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From Ireland’s technology ecosystem and the Netherlands’ logistics network to Estonia’s digital administration and Poland’s industrial base, the ideal European location depends less on headline tax rates than on a company’s business model, talent requirements and target markets.
Patricio De Gaetano•
European companies developing autonomous taxi services are accelerating testing and investment, but widespread deployment of robotaxis remains constrained by fragmented regulations, infrastructure requirements and public acceptance. Industry leaders argue that Europe must address these barriers to remain competitive in the global autonomous mobility market.
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Poland has strengthened its position among the world’s leading official gold holders after increasing its reserves beyond those of the European Central Bank. The move reflects a broader trend among central banks seeking to diversify reserve assets and reinforce financial resilience amid persistent geopolitical and economic uncertainty.
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Germany has committed a record level of investment to upgrade its railway network as part of a long-term strategy to improve mobility, strengthen freight transport and support the country's climate objectives. The funding will modernise ageing infrastructure while reinforcing Europe's largest rail market.
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The Madrid Chamber of Commerce will organize a trade mission to Guatemala and El Salvador this October, offering Spanish companies tailored business meetings with local partners. The initiative aims to strengthen commercial ties between Spain and Central America while creating new export and investment opportunities across strategic sectors.
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Inflation across the eurozone remained unchanged at 2.8% in June, reinforcing expectations that the European Central Bank (ECB) could slow the pace of monetary easing while continuing to monitor underlying price pressures. The latest figures highlight the delicate balance policymakers face between supporting economic growth and ensuring inflation returns sustainably to the 2% target.
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Incoming UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is expected to unveil a new energy strategy that would reopen the door to oil and gas development in the North Sea, marking a significant departure from Labour’s previous commitment to halt new exploration licences. The proposed policy reflects growing political pressure to balance energy security, industrial competitiveness and climate goals.
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Corporate debt levels vary sharply across Europe, reflecting differences in financial structures, economic models and access to capital markets. While countries such as Luxembourg, France and Sweden rank among those with the highest levels of corporate borrowing relative to GDP, other economies—including Romania, Lithuania and Bulgaria—maintain far lower corporate debt ratios. The figures highlight how financing strategies differ across the European Union and what they mean for competitiveness and investment.
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Spain’s growing number of unicorns is transforming the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, creating a virtuous cycle in which successful founders, investors and executives are reinvesting capital, talent and experience into the next generation of startups. The trend is reinforcing Spain’s position as one of Europe’s fastest-growing innovation hubs.
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The International Monetary Fund has maintained its growth forecast for Italy but lowered expectations for France and Germany, highlighting the uneven pace of Europe's economic recovery as higher energy prices and geopolitical uncertainty continue to weigh on the eurozone.
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Germany has become the first European Union member state to ratify the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, reinforcing political support for one of the world's largest free trade partnerships and sending a strong signal in favor of deeper economic integration with Latin America.
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Public institutions, business leaders and industry experts from Europe and Latin America met in Brussels to deepen cooperation on sustainable agriculture, innovation, food security and international trade.
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As heatwaves become more frequent across Europe, millions of workers in outdoor and high-temperature occupations face growing health risks, productivity losses and economic disruption.
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Portugal has added hundreds of ultra-high-net-worth individuals over the past five years, reinforcing its position as one of Europe's most attractive destinations for international investors, entrepreneurs and wealthy families.
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As economic ties between Europe and Latin America continue to expand, Serbia is seeking a more active role in connecting businesses, institutions and investment opportunities across both regions.
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A growing majority of Italian companies operating in Spain expect business expansion in 2026, reinforcing the Iberian country's position as one of Europe's most attractive destinations for foreign investment.
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Rising temperatures are no longer just an environmental concern. Across Europe, heatwaves are increasingly affecting productivity, infrastructure, energy systems and public finances, creating significant economic costs for governments and businesses.
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A growing number of high-net-worth individuals are relocating within Europe, creating new winners and losers in the competition for investment, entrepreneurship and private capital.
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Madrid once again positioned itself as a strategic meeting point between Europe and Latin America during Latam Days 2026, an event that brought together investors, multinational companies, legal experts and financial institutions to discuss the growing flow of capital between the two regions.
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European manufacturers are increasingly deploying artificial intelligence to improve productivity, reduce costs and strengthen competitiveness. From food processing and agriculture to advanced manufacturing and logistics, AI is becoming a key pillar of Europe's industrial strategy as the continent seeks to close the innovation gap with the United States and China.
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The European Union is preparing to unveil its first-ever electrification target while deepening cooperation with Mercosur on renewable energy, hydrogen, critical minerals and strategic supply chains. The move reflects Brussels’ push to strengthen energy security and reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels.
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The eurozone economy recorded a 0.2% contraction in the first quarter of 2026, highlighting the challenges facing European policymakers as weak industrial activity, geopolitical uncertainty and slower investment weigh on growth.
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European countries are increasingly competing to attract foreign direct investment, with factors such as innovation, infrastructure, talent and regulatory stability becoming decisive in the race to secure international capital.
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Brussels is accelerating efforts to strengthen Europe’s technological sovereignty through new investments, industrial policies and innovation initiatives aimed at reducing reliance on foreign technology providers in critical sectors.
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A new direct air connection between Latin America and Belgium marks a significant milestone for tourism, business travel and economic ties, strengthening connectivity between the two regions after a quarter-century absence.
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Consumer prices across the eurozone climbed to their highest level since 2023, complicating the European Central Bank’s monetary policy outlook and prompting investors to reassess expectations for future interest rate decisions.
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Choose France Summit Highlights Growing Investor Confidence in Europe’s Second-Largest Economy
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Panathēnea 2026 Highlights the Need for More Scaleups, Investment and Technological Leadership
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Europe’s largest gas supplier is reinforcing offshore production as energy security returns to the center of the continent’s economic and industrial strategy.
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Madrid is set to become the first city in the European Union to introduce robotaxi services backed by major mobility platforms, marking a new phase in autonomous urban transportation.
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The B2B event in Militello in Val di Catania connects Sicilian wine, olive oil and premium food producers with international buyers from around the world, including Argentina and Latin America.
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Spain will take on a leading role at Hannover Messe as a partner country, using the platform to showcase its industrial capabilities and attract investment in key sectors such as energy, technology, and advanced manufacturing.
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Norway’s crude exports surged in March as disruptions linked to the Iran war tightened global supply, reinforcing Europe’s role as a key alternative energy provider.
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ECB President Christine Lagarde warns that Europe’s economy is navigating between baseline recovery and downside risks, as inflation, trade tensions, and global uncertainty cloud the outlook.
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The European Union has accelerated the approval of 235 strategic energy projects, prioritizing grid expansion, green hydrogen, and offshore wind as it strengthens energy security and industrial decarbonization.
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The approval marks a regulatory milestone for prediction markets in Europe, positioning Gibraltar as an early mover in a sector that blends finance, data, and probabilistic forecasting.
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