On 17 July, the European Commission published its seventh annual Rule of Law Report, assessing developments across all 27 EU Member States and, for the first time in this reporting cycle, examining the situation in four candidate countries: Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia.

The report assesses the rule of law through four main areas: justice systems, anti-corruption frameworks, media freedom and pluralism, and institutional checks and balances. It also highlights the importance of the rule of law for the functioning of the EU Single Market, emphasising the role of predictable legal systems, effective institutions and stable regulatory environments in supporting investment, competitiveness and economic growth.

Overall, the Commission presents a broadly positive picture. According to the report, significant reforms have been completed or are underway across the areas monitored, although progress remains uneven between countries and policy areas. The Commission also stresses that some challenges continue to require attention.

Justice systems: progress alongside persistent concerns

The report identifies advances in judicial reform in many Member States. These include measures aimed at strengthening the independence of Councils for the Judiciary, introducing additional safeguards for judicial appointments and disciplinary procedures, and increasing the autonomy of prosecution services.

However, progress has been slower in some countries, while serious concerns about judicial independence remain in certain cases. Among the four enlargement countries covered, judicial reforms have generally continued, but concerns persist about undue influence that may affect the independence of the judiciary.

Anti-corruption: stronger frameworks, but implementation remains key

The fight against corruption remains another central focus. The EU’s new Directive on combating corruption, which entered into force on 31 May 2026, establishes a more harmonised framework for preventing, detecting and sanctioning corruption across the Union.

The report notes that several Member States have adopted new anti-corruption strategies and strengthened the capacity of relevant institutions. At the same time, the Commission points to areas where further action is needed, particularly in preventing conflicts of interest and improving rules on lobbying.

Effective enforcement is also identified as a continuing challenge. The Commission calls for stronger investigation, prosecution and final judgments in corruption cases. Similar issues arise in the enlargement countries, where legal and institutional frameworks have been strengthened but the practical enforcement of anti-corruption rules remains an area for improvement.

Media freedom and pluralism under continued scrutiny

Media freedom is another area where the report records both reform and ongoing challenges. Member States are working to align their national legislation with the European Media Freedom Act, while several are taking steps to strengthen the independence and financing of public service media and improve transparency in the allocation of state advertising.

The Commission is also placing greater emphasis on the safety of journalists, as well as measures to address Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation, commonly known as SLAPPs. These lawsuits can create pressure on journalists and other public-interest actors and potentially discourage legitimate reporting and public participation.

In the enlargement countries, the report notes greater stability in appointments to governance structures for public service media and media regulators. Nevertheless, concerns remain regarding media market concentration and the editorial independence of public broadcasters.

Checks and balances and the role of civil society

The fourth area examined is the functioning of institutional checks and balances. The report highlights reforms intended to improve legal certainty and the quality of legislation. However, in some Member States, concerns remain about the excessive use of emergency legislative procedures and insufficient involvement of stakeholders in the law-making process.

The Commission also reports that many Member States continue to provide an enabling environment for civil society organisations. At the same time, civil society groups in several countries continue to report difficulties, including restrictions affecting funding and peaceful assembly. Similar concerns about the operating environment for civil society are noted in some enlargement countries.

A broader economic and budgetary dimension

This year’s report also places particular emphasis on the relationship between the rule of law and the EU Single Market. Effective courts, safeguards against corruption in public procurement, investment protection and a predictable regulatory environment are presented as important conditions for businesses operating across the EU.

The findings are also expected to have implications for the EU’s next long-term budget. The Commission has proposed that the new National and Regional Partnership Plans under the next Multiannual Financial Framework should address challenges identified in the Rule of Law Report. The report is also expected to inform the Commission’s assessment of Member States’ respect for the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and rule-of-law-related conditions in the implementation of these plans.

What happens next?

The Commission has called on the European Parliament, the Council of the EU, national parliaments, civil society and other stakeholders to continue discussions based on the report and its country-specific recommendations. It has also committed to supporting Member States in implementing the recommendations.

For Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia, the Commission will continue to monitor progress, including through its annual enlargement reports. Other accession countries may be included in future Rule of Law Reports as they become ready.

The Rule of Law Report remains a preventive instrument at the centre of the EU’s annual Rule of Law Cycle. It is designed to identify challenges early, encourage dialogue and promote reforms, rather than replace the EU’s other legal mechanisms. These include infringement proceedings and the procedure under Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union.

The 2026 report therefore presents a mixed but broadly positive assessment: reforms are advancing across much of the EU, while significant differences and unresolved issues remain. Its continuing influence will depend not only on the quality of its recommendations, but also on how effectively governments and institutions translate them into lasting reforms. In that sense, the report serves both as an assessment of the current state of the rule of law and as a framework for continued engagement between the EU, its Member States and candidate countries.

References

European Commission. (2026, July 17). 2026 Rule of Law Report strengthens Europe’s prosperity, security and democratic resilience. Retrieved from European Commission – Press Corner : https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_26_1613

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