Explainers

The EU has established rules to limit costs for consumers when calling and sending text messages to and from other EU countries, and when using data and accessing online content throughout the EU.

VAT is crucial for EU member states' revenues and the EU budget, yet VAT losses remain significant. The EU is working to ensure a harmonised system while tackling fraud and modernising VAT through digitalisation.

Tax rules for the digital economy which are based on the principles of tax good governance can help promote growth and, among other benefits, deliver on the green and digital transitions.

New technologies in banking and payments are changing the financial services industry. By boosting innovation, the EU is creating a competitive financial sector while establishing rules that ensure financial stability and consumer protection.

The EU's industrial policy aims to strengthen the competitiveness of EU industry and to promote a more sustainable, resilient and digitalised economy that creates jobs.

New EU rules grant start-ups and SMEs access to supercomputers for artificial intelligence testing and development.

Find out more about e-commerce in the EU and how the Digital Services Act will impact the sector.

The digital euro would be a digital form of central bank money, issued by the European Central Bank, for retail use alongside physical cash.

The Digital Markets Act (DMA) aims to ensure fair competition between digital platforms, regardless of their size, to increase choice for consumers and to promote new opportunities for small businesses.

The digital transition is crucial for the EU's economic growth and strategic autonomy. The EU wants to ensure that Europe fully seizes the opportunities offered by the digital decade.