Types of sanctions the EU adopts

EU sanctions can target governments of non-EU countries, entities and individuals. The EU can impose restrictive measures in order to implement UN resolutions, to reinforce UN sanctions or on its own initiative.

Targets of EU sanctions

EU sanctions can target:

governments of non-EU countries because of their policies
entities (companies) providing the means to conduct the targeted policies
groups or organisations such as terrorist groups
individuals, such as terrorists or people responsible for human rights violations

Sanctions are developed in such a way as to minimise adverse consequences for those not responsible for the policies or actions leading to the adoption of sanctions.

In particular, the EU works to minimise the effects on the local civilian population and on legitimate activities in or with the country concerned.

What are the sanctions?

The majority of EU sanctions regimes target individuals and entities and consist of asset freezes and travel bans. The EU can also adopt sectoral measures, such as economic and financial measures.

Sanctions in a narrow sense require a specific legal basis in the EU treaties, and include:

Arms embargo

Ban on exporting goods and technology set out in the EU military list.

An airplane covered by a prohibition sign.

Travel ban

Targeted persons cannot enter or transit through EU territories.

Russian notes (roubles) and a freezing symbol.

Asset freeze

All the assets of sanctioned individuals and entities in the EU are frozen.

Stacked coins and a hand making a stop sign.

Unavailability of funds

EU persons and entities cannot make any funds available to those sanctioned.

A vessel transporting cargo covered by a red cross.

Economic sanctions

Restrictions in the trade, defence, technology, finance, transport and energy sectors.

A handshake covered by a prohibition sign.

Diplomatic sanctions

Interruption of diplomatic relations or recall of EU diplomatic representatives.

UN and EU sanctions

There are three types of sanctions regimes the EU can implement: United Nations (UN) sanctions, mixed sanctions and EU autonomous sanctions.

United Nations sanctions

The EU implements all sanctions adopted by the UN Security Council by transposing them into EU law. The EU is involved in a permanent dialogue with the UN to better coordinate EU member states' respective actions on sanctions.

Consolidated UN Security Council sanctions list

Mixed sanctions

The EU may also reinforce UN sanctions by applying stricter measures in addition to those imposed by the UN Security Council.

EU autonomous sanctions

The Council may decide to impose sanctions on its own initiative. The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR) or EU member states can propose this type of sanctions. They usually apply for 12 months.

Restrictive measures are laid down in Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) Council decisions.

Country-based and thematic sanctions

The majority of EU sanctions regimes are adopted in view of a specific situation in a given country. For example, sanctions have been imposed in the light of the situation in Russia, Belarus, Iran, North Korea, Syria, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Venezuela.

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Countries where a sanctions regime applies: