DAILY NEWS
Brussels, 19 December 2025
Commission renews decisions to allow free flow of personal data with the UK
Today, the Commission renewed the two 2021 adequacy decisions for the free flow of personal data with the United Kingdom. The decisions ensure that personal data can continue flowing freely and safely between the European Economic Area (EEA) and the United Kingdom, as the UK legal framework contains data protection safeguards that are essentially equivalent to those provided by the EU.
In June 2025, the Commission had adopted a technical extension of the 2021 adequacy decisions with the United Kingdom – one under the General Data Protection Regulation and the other concerning the Law Enforcement Directive – for a limited period of six months, as they were set to expire on 27 December this year. This extension allowed the Commission to conduct a thorough assessment of the legal framework in the UK as amended by the Data (Use and Access) Act.
The adoption of the renewal decisions follows the European Data Protection Board's opinion and the Member States' green light in the so-called comitology procedure.
The new decisions are subject to a sunset clause of six years, running until 27 December 2031, with the possibility to be renewed. The Commission together with representatives of the European Data Protection Board will review the functioning of the adequacy decisions after a period of four years.
Background
The European Commission has the competence to determine, on the basis of the General Data Protection Regulation, whether a country or international organisation outside the EU ensures an adequate level of data protection. Following this, the Commission might initiate the process for the adoption of an adequacy decision, which allows the free flow of personal data from the EU and the European Economic Area (EEA) to a third country or international organisation without further obstacles.
For More Information
Data protection adequacy for non-EU countries
UK Adequacy: Renewal decision under the GDPR
UK Adequacy: Renewal decision under the LED
Quote(s)
The renewal of our adequacy decisions benefits businesses and citizens alike on both sides of the Channel. It ensures the free flow of personal data between the EEA and the UK in full compliance with data protection rules while reducing costs and administrative burdens. This continuity allows European companies to keep sharing data seamlessly with their UK partners, supporting innovation, competitiveness and trusted digital cooperation.
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy
The United Kingdom is an important strategic partner for the European Union and the adequacy decisions form a central pillar of this partnership. By enabling the free flow of personal data, they underpin both commercial exchanges and cooperation in the fields of justice and law enforcement. Their renewal reflects the Commission’s assessment that the United Kingdom’s legal framework continues to provide robust safeguards for personal data that remain closely aligned with EU standards, including in the context of recent legislative developments.
Michael McGrath, Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection
EU institutions define priorities for 2026: A Joint Declaration on EU legislative priorities for 2026 was signed today by the European Parliament, Council and Commission
Given the speed and complexity of challenges faced by the European Union, unity, urgency and ambition are key. That is also the spirit behind which President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, representing the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, signed the Joint Declaration in the margins of the European Council today.
The Joint Declaration prioritises legislative actions that focus on boosting the EU's competitiveness and resilience, safeguarding citizens and businesses, while pursuing ambitious simplification goals and working towards swift agreement on the next Multiannual Financial Framework. Utmost priority will be given to key policy objectives for a new era for European defence and security, to secure Europe's sustainable prosperity, competitiveness and simplification, to strengthen our societies and our social model and quality of life, to ensure comprehensive approach to boarder management and migration, to protect our democracy, uphold our values and to leverage our global influence and partnerships.
The Declaration highlights legislative proposals listed in the accompanying document, which the three Institutions commit to pay particular attention to and to prioritise in 2026. Progress on these proposals should be regularly monitored throughout the year, both to provide updates on the state of play and to allow for early warning of any developments that risk any delays.
The Presidents of the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission, will closely ensure the timely and effective implementation of this Joint Declaration.
President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, said: “Europe moves when we all pull in the same direction. This Joint Declaration for 2026 is more than just words on a paper – it is a sign of unity and our firm conviction to deliver on people's expectations. For the first time, it sets out a clear and focused list of ten legislative priorities to make our Union stronger, safer, and more competitive. Parliament is ready to get to work.”
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said: “Today we stand united with a shared vision for our Union's future. We must deliver a new era of European security – and that starts with a just and lasting peace for Ukraine an strengthening our own defences. We must also build a more competitive, fairer Europe for our citizens and businesses. And finally we are committed to reaching a swift agreement on the next long-term EU budget. Because to turn our common vision into reality, we must have the means to deliver it.”
Next steps
The Joint Declaration will be published in the EU's Official Journal in the coming days. The co-legislators will ensure the timely and effective implementation of this Joint Declaration.
As set out in the Interinstitutional Agreement on better law-making, signed in 2016 by the three institutions the European Parliament, the Council, and the Commission discuss and agree on legislative priorities for the next year through an annual Joint Declaration, after the Commission adopts its work programme. This approach helps the institutions collaborate more efficiently on key legislative proposals, with the Parliament and the Council acting as co-legislators.
For more information
Joint Declaration on EU legislative priorities for 2026
Europe moves when we all pull in the same direction. This Joint Declaration for 2026 is more than just words on a paper – it is a sign of unity and our firm conviction to deliver on people's expectations. For the first time, it sets out a clear and focused list of ten legislative priorities to make our Union stronger, safer, and more competitive. Parliament is ready to get to work.
Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament
Today we stand united with a shared vision for our Union’s future. We must deliver a new era of European security – and that starts with a just and lasting peace for Ukraine an strengthening our own defences. We must also build a more competitive, fairer Europe for our citizens and businesses. And finally we are committed to reaching a swift agreement on the next long-term EU budget. Because to turn our common vision into reality, we must have the means to deliver it.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
Final steps taken to ensure smooth entry into application of the EU Deforestation Regulation
The European Commission welcomes the final vote by the European Parliament and the Council on the Commission proposal for targeted amendments of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). We now must ensure that the EUDR delivers on the ground. Tackling global deforestation and forest degradation is one of the most urgent challenges of our time – as they are important drivers of climate change and biodiversity loss. The amending Regulation will be published in the Official Journal on 23 December 2025.
The agreed amendments ensure clarity and predictability regarding timelines and requirements for economic operators. They provide an additional year for economic operators' preparations before the EUDR entry into application on 30 December 2026. For micro and small operators, the period is extended until 30 June 2027, except for those already covered by the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR). The agreed amendments further limit the obligation to submit due diligence statements to the first operator placing the relevant products on the market. They also replace the regular submission of due diligence statements by a simplified one-off declaration for micro and small primary operators from low-risk countries.
Altogether, these amendments will reduce the data load on the IT system so that it can handle the expected due diligence statements and simplified declarations submitted by all operators. This will provide for a well-functioning IT system, which is necessary for a smooth implementation of the EUDR.
Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, Jessika Roswall, said: “With the agreement on the EU Deforestation rules, businesses can now continue preparing for the application of the EUDR. It provides the necessary certainty and predictability and will make it possible to implement the law in the most efficient way possible to reduce global deforestation.”
(For more information: Maciej Berestecki – Tel.: +32 2 296 64 83; Maëlys Dreux – Tel.: +32 2 295 46 73)
Statement by the European Commission on International Migrants Day
On International Migrants Day, we recognise the aspirations and challenges faced by migrants across the world. The reasons for people to leave their home countries are manifold, be it in search of safety or opportunity. They do so in a global environment that is increasingly complex, making international cooperation paramount to effectively manage migration.
The European Union is consistently engaging with our partner countries through comprehensive and mutually beneficial partnerships. Together we address the root causes of migration, fight migrant smuggling, strengthen readmission cooperation and promote legal pathways.
On 10 December 2025, President von der Leyen hosted the Second Conference of the Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling with more than 80 partners from around the world committing to strengthen international cooperation and to break the business model of smugglers and prevent the loss of lives.
The European Union is building a system that is fair, firm and humane. We are implementing and further strengthening and complementing the Pact on Migration and Asylum, which will be fully applicable from mid-2026, with stronger border protection, a fair system of responsibility and solidarity and stronger rules on returns.
We are countering illegal migration, while enhancing safe and legal pathways to the EU – always in cooperation with partners countries and international stakeholders, in full respect of international law and fundamental rights.
Statement by President von der Leyen at the European Council press conference of December 2025
Good evening.
We all share one clear goal.
A just and lasting peace for Ukraine.
So we gathered with a clear objective:
To address Ukraine's pressing financing needs for the next two years.
And I am very pleased to say: we made it.
We have secured an agreement to deliver on the financing needs for Ukraine for the next two years.
As you know the Commission had proposed two solutions.
Both legally sound.
Both technically feasible.
On the one hand, we proposed EU borrowing on the market.
And on the other hand, we have developed the Reparations Loan.
Last week already, we sent a clear and strong political message by immobilising Russian assets in the EU over the long term.
And building on that, we agreed to find a solution for the financing of Ukraine for the next two years.
Member States have agreed to finance Ukraine through EU borrowing on the capital markets.
For an amount of EUR 90 billion for the next two years.
We will do this by way of enhanced cooperation that is backed by the EU budget headroom.
And based on a unanimous agreement to amend the MFF.
Similarly to the Reparations Loan, very important, Ukraine would only need to pay back the loan once it receives reparations.
Until then, the assets will remain immobilised.
And the Union reserves its right to make use of the cash balances to finance the loan.
This is the solution we found together.
And as discussed in the last weeks, financing Ukraine beyond 2027 will be part of the next MFF discussion.
The EU's next budget was also on the agenda.
The Danish Presidency has done a remarkable work.
Today, it was mostly about architecture and calendar.
We need a budget that is faster, simpler and more flexible.
A budget that will ensure Europe's capacity to meet the demands of a world of crises as demonstrated again today for the financing of Ukraine.
Finally, we agreed on the sense of urgency, and the intense work ahead with the Cypriot Presidency.
We then moved on to the discussion on geoeconomics, including on the Mercosur agreement.
This evening, we have achieved a breakthrough to pave the way for a successful completion of the agreement in January.
We need a few extra weeks to address some issues with Member States.
We have reached out to our Mercosur partners and agreed to postpone slightly the signature.
This deal is of crucial importance for Europe – economically, diplomatically and geopolitically.
It opens new trade and economic opportunities for all our Member States.
With additional checks and safeguards, we have built in all necessary protections for our farmers and our consumers.
In a year dominated by news of rising tariffs and new trade restrictions, the positive impact of this pact matters – not just for our two regions, but for the global economy.
Finally, Mette, I want to praise the Danish Presidency.
In just six months, you delivered impressive results.
41 files were concluded and negotiating mandates secured on 17 more.
You ensured the EU's unwavering support for Ukraine, with the adoption of the 18th and 19th sanctions packages.
As well as the swift agreement on the immobilisation of the Russian assets last week.
Together we made history with the agreement on REPowerEU – our roadmap to full energy independence from Russia. And with the 2040 Climate target.
Thanks to your work on migration, we were able to effectively kick-start the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum.
Notably with the progress on the Return and Safe countries of origin legislation – just agreed.
You also strengthened Europe's defence by securing a much awaited agreement on the European Defence Industry Programme, EDIP, and the Defence Omnibus.
And you made significant progress on simplification, with agreement on several omnibuses, making life easier for companies across Europe.
Last but not least, you successfully steered the initial work on the next EU budget.
So you laid a very solid foundation for the presidencies to come.
These achievements speak volumes about your leadership and commitment to the European project.
Many thanks for that.