Key topics in EU financial services

This Overview is a guide to the content within the key topics in EU financial services with links to appropriate materials. This subtopic supplements the subtopic ‘Financial services regulation essentials’ by providing a sample of more in-depth materials. These include introductory materials to EU financial services regulation, banking regulation, the impact of Brexit, the relevant institutions in EU financial services, and a short sample of financial regulation topics.

Introductory material

Practice Note: Introduction to European financial services law and financial services coverage provides an informal brief introduction to EU financial services law, describing the regulatory regime through brief guidance and by means of multiple links to relevant material, mainly hosted on the EU website and on the websites of other international institutions and of the UK government. There are also multiple relevant links to commentary and analysis provided by the EU law module.

Banking regulation

Practice Note: Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive (EU BRRD)—technical standards and guidelines provides an overview of the Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive 2014/59/EU (EU BRRD). This directive establishes a framework for the recovery and resolution of investment firms

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Latest EU Law News

EDPS adopts guidance and binding rules to strengthen DPO independence across EU institutions

The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) has adopted two documents aimed at strengthening the role and independence of data protection officers (DPOs) within EU institutions, bodies, offices and agencies (EUIs). On 18 December 2025, the EDPS issued Supervisory Guidance clarifying requirements relating to DPO designation, institutional positioning, independence guarantees and responsibilities within EUIs. On 16 January 2026, the EDPS adopted Decision 01/2026, establishing binding rules requiring EUIs to obtain prior EDPS consent before dismissing DPOs before the end of their term. The guidance sets out the EDPS’ interpretation of DPO roles, positions and tasks, while the decision creates a uniform procedural framework for dismissals. Both measures apply with immediate effect and must be reflected in EUIs’ internal practices and decision-making regarding the position and protection of DPOs.

European Parliament adopts cross-border unfair trading practices regulation

The European Parliament has adopted new measures to strengthen protection for farmers against cross-border unfair trading practices, with 555 votes in favour, 0 against and 26 abstentions. The regulation enables member states to intervene automatically and stop cross-border unfair trading practices without requiring complaints from producers, replicating the protection regime for geographical indications. The measures extend protection to cover unfair practices by non-EU buyers, who must designate a contact person responsible for EU matters to facilitate investigations. National enforcement authorities will exchange information about unfair trading practices through the internal market information system to ensure coordinated responses. The regulation builds upon the 2019 Unfair Trading Practices Directive and addresses the fact that approximately 20% of agricultural and food products consumed in the EU originate from other member states. The measures require Council approval and will apply 18 months after publication in the EU Official Journal.

EDPB publishes work programme outlining guidance priorities for 2026-27

The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) has published its Work Programme 2026–27, setting out its priorities under the four pillars of its 2024–27 Strategy and reflecting commitments in the Helsinki Statement to enhance clarity, support and engagement, with a focus on making Regulation (EU) 2016/679, EU General Data Protection Regulation compliance easier. The EDPB will simplify compliance by issuing practical guidance on key issues such as anonymisation, pseudonymisation, legitimate interests, children’s data and scientific research, updating existing guidelines, and developing ready-to-use EU templates for data breach notifications, data protection impact assessments, legitimate interest assessments, records of processing activities and privacy notices, alongside tools tailored to small and medium-sized enterprises. It will reinforce consistent enforcement by updating cooperation and complaint-handling procedures, implementing a coordinated enforcement action in 2026 on transparency obligations, strengthening the consistency mechanism, and improving cooperation tools and IT systems. The programme also addresses the interaction between data protection law and other EU frameworks, including the EU AI Act, the EU Digital Markets Act and the EU Digital Services Act, and foresees guidance on emerging technologies such as generative artificial intelligence and blockchain.