This Week in Social Affairs — Brussels (#25, 2026)
Victims' rights directive enters into force; payment disbursements for Spain and Portugal under RRF; Council discusses employment, housing and job quality.
June 28, 2026 to July 04, 2026
Victims' rights directive enters into force; payment disbursements for Spain and Portugal under RRF; Council discusses employment, housing and job quality.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
European Commission
Commission partially greenlights Spain's sixth payment request for €5.7 billion under NextGenerationEU
The European Commission on 1 July 2026 delivered a partial positive assessment of Spain's sixth payment request worth €5.7 billion under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the main instrument of NextGenerationEU. The Commission also approved payments for two previously suspended milestones under the fifth request, recognising progress in digitalisation of regional and local entities and certain tax reforms. Spain had completed 51 milestones and 22 of the 25 targets for this request, including enhancing regulatory frameworks for housing, boosting health system resilience with reforms in staffing and training, and accelerating the digitalisation of TEN-T railways. Investment in bilingual vocational training, telecare, and entrepreneurship for vulnerable groups remain under further assessment, with Spain invited to submit clarifications. Following the Economic and Financial Committee's opinion and a Commission decision, the greenlighted funds can be released to Spain. Any portion relating to unfulfilled targets will be suspended pending additional national action within six months.
Commission greenlights Portugal's ninth payment request for €2.32 billion under NextGenerationEU
On 1 July 2026, the Commission approved Portugal's ninth RRF payment request, worth €2.32 billion, following the satisfactory completion of 22 milestones and 29 targets set by the Council Implementing Decision. The disbursement supports reforms in vocational education, waste management, administrative digitisation, business equity, and environmental licensing. The Commission confirmed significant focus areas including matching education to labour market needs, landscape management, and facilitating environmental investment. The payment will follow a positive opinion from the Economic and Financial Committee and a subsequent Commission decision. The total funds paid to Portugal under the RRF now reach €17.23 billion.
New E-commerce duty for small packages set to increase fairness for EU businesses and safety for consumers
As of 1 July 2026, the EU has ended the customs duty exemption for ecommerce goods under €150, introducing a €3 customs fee per imported item. This temporary measure responds to a surge in low-value imports, aiming to ensure fair competition and consumer safety. Duties are now collected from platforms or businesses, sparing consumers from direct payment on delivery. Product identifier declarations become voluntary from July, but mandatory from November 2026, enhancing enforcement. The €3 rate is a transitional solution until the EU Customs Data Hub goes live in 2028, when normal tariff-based duties resume.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Directive (EU) 2026/1472 amending Directive 2012/29/EU on rights, support and protection for crime victims enters into force
Directive (EU) 2026/1472 was published in OJ L on 30 June 2026, amending Directive 2012/29/EU to reinforce minimum standards of support for victims of crime. The directive requires Member States to establish accessible, confidential helplines via the 116 006 EU-wide number, extend free and secure reporting channels for criminal offences, broaden access to legal aid for victims with standing in proceedings, enhance protection measures (including for children, persons with disabilities, and in cross-border cases), and expand data collection on victims’ rights. Member States must transpose these changes by 2 July 2028, with certain ICT requirements extended to 2030.
Decision (EU) 2026/1543 on the mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (Belgium – Soliver)
On 3 July 2026, Decision (EU) 2026/1543 mobilised €2,132,535 from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers, supporting jobseekers affected by redundancies at Soliver NV in Belgium. This follows Belgium’s application in December 2025 under Regulation (EU) 2021/691.
EU Council
Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council conclusions on cyber violence, demography, and housing
On 29 June 2026, EU employment and social ministers concluded work on combating cyber violence against girls and linking demographic shifts to housing policy. Ministers discussed student and middle-income housing insecurity, labour mobility, the EU Anti-Poverty Strategy, the European Semester Spring Package, and gender-related job quality.
EP Committee Work
SANT Committee Opinion: Psychosocial risks, stress and mental health at work
On 3 July 2026, the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (SANT) adopted an opinion on psychosocial risks, stress, and mental health at work. Rapporteur Irena Joveva addressed working conditions and preventive measures supporting employees’ mental health within the EU labour market.
Special Committee on the Housing Crisis: Hearing on Role of National Promotional Banks and EIB
At its 29 June 2026 meeting, the Special Committee on the Housing Crisis (HOUS) held a public hearing on the involvement of National Promotional Banks and the European Investment Bank in addressing the EU housing shortage. The committee also received feedback from a recent mission to Dublin, reflecting ongoing work on housing affordability and supply.
