Page contents Page contents What are sanctions (restrictive measures) Sanctions are an essential tool in the EU’s common foreign and security policy (CFSP), through which it can intervene where necessary to prevent conflict or respond to current or emerging crises.Although they are called ‘sanctions’, EU restrictive measures are not punitive. They are intended to bring about a change in bad or harmful policiesor activities by targeting the non-EU countries, including organisations and individuals, responsible. The EU has over 40 different sanctions regimes in place. Some are mandated by the United Nations Security Council, while others are adopted autonomously by the EU. Decisions on the adoption, renewal, or lifting of sanctions regimes are taken by the Council of the European Union, on the basis of proposals from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The European Commission, together with the High Representative, make joint proposals of sanctions to the Council for adoption at unanimity. It then becomes applicable EU law when published in the Official Journal. In addition, as guardian of the treaties, the Commission plays a vital role in overseeing sanctions implementation by Member States. Objectives The EU applies sanctions to implement UN Security Council Resolutions or to further the objectives of the CFSP, namely promoting international peace and securitypreventing conflictssupporting democracy, the rule of law and human rights anddefending the principles of international lawTypes of measures EU sanctions can target governments of non-EU countries, as well as companies, groups, organisations, or individuals through the following measuresarms embargoesrestrictions on admission (travel bans)asset freezesother economic measures such as restrictions on imports and exportsEU sanctions are carefully targeted, and designed to be proportionate to the objectives they seek to achieve. As such, they are aimed at those responsible for the policies or actions the EU wants to influence, while reducing as much as possible any unintended consequences.Where do EU sanctions apply? As they are a foreign policy tool, EU sanctions inherently apply in non-EU countries – however, only within an EU jurisdiction. In other words, the obligations imposed are binding on EU nationals or people located in the EU or doing business here. The task of conducting investigations into potential non-compliance cases falls to the Member States and their national competent authorities. Member States must have effective, proportionate and dissuasive penalties in place, and enforce them when EU sanctions are breached.Roles and responsibilities Role of the European CommissionThe Directorate-General for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union (DG FISMA) prepares proposals for Regulations on sanctions for adoption by the Council of the European Union, and represents the European Commission in sanctions-related discussions with Member States at the Council Working Party of Foreign Relations Counsellors. DG FISMA is also responsible for transposing certain United Nations sanctions into EU law.DG FISMA is also in charge of monitoring, on behalf of the European Commission, the implementation and enforcement of EU sanctions across all Member States. DG FISMA is increasingly supporting Member States in their efforts to apply sanctions, by answering questions of interpretation raised by national competent authorities, as well as economic and humanitarian operators. In addition, DG FISMA is dedicating increasing efforts to strengthening the application of EU sanctions even further, and to enhancing the resilience of the EU to extra-territorial sanctions adopted by countries outside the EU (see also the EU Blocking Statute). This is reflected in the mission letter of Commissioner Mairead McGuinness in the Commission’s Work Programme 2020 and in the Commission Communication of 19 January 2021: “The European economic and financial system: fostering openness, strength and resilience”.Role of national competent authorities for sanctionsMember States are responsible for the implementation and enforcement of EU sanctions, as well as identifying breaches and imposing penalties. The Commission monitors the correct and uniform implementation of EU sanctions and provides guidance to Member States. The contact details of the relevant competent authorities of the Member States can be found in the document below. 6 JANUARY 2025National competent authorities for the implementation of EU restrictive measures (sanctions) Sanctions explainedEU Finance PodcastThe one about an update on russia sanctionsEU Finance PodcastThe one about how sanctions are indeed workingEU Finance Podcast The one about sanctions Sanctions resourcesEU sanctions mapThe EU sanctions map provides comprehensive details of all EU sanctions regimes and their corresponding legal acts, including those regimes adopted by the UN Security Council and transposed at EU level.EU sanctions helpdeskThe EU sanctions helpdesk platform supports European operators in complying with EU restrictive measures imposed worldwide. Aimed primarily at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the helpdesk offers resources, information, and cost‑free personalised help to companies performing sanctions due diligence checks.Financial sanctions: Consolidated listThe consolidated list of individuals, groups and organisations subject to EU financial sanctions, which DG FISMA manages and updates whenever necessary, reflects the officially adopted texts published in the Official Journal of the EU. You can also download a PDF version of the consolidated list of financial sanctions.EU sanctions whistleblower toolSharing of information about EU sanctions violations can contribute to the success of ongoing investigations in EU Member States and increase the effectiveness of EU sanctions.EUR-LexEUR-Lex is the online gateway to EU Law. It provides the official and most comprehensive access to EU legal documents, including legal acts adopted by the Council of the EU in the area of sanctions and published in the Official Journal of the EU. EUR-lex is available in all of the EU’s 24 official languages and is updated daily. Guidance and advisories 17 November 2025Frequently asked questions - SyriaFrequently asked questions: November 2025 update to EU sanctions concerning Syria.27 May 2025EU sanctions factsheet: Incoterms “Ex Works” rule (EXW)Using the EXW rule does not discharge an exporter/seller from the obligation to comply with EU sanctions.7 April 2025Frequently asked questions - SyriaFrequently asked questions: February 2025 update to EU sanctions concerning Syria.24 February 2024SyriaCommission welcomes the suspension of restrictive measures on Syrian key economic sectors.27 July 2023Factsheet - Accessing EU financial services as a non-profit organisationFactsheet: Accessing EU financial services as a non-profit organisation.16 May 2023Frequently asked questions - SyriaFrequently asked questions: Humanitarian exemption in the EU Syria sanctions regime following the February 2023 earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria.30 June 2022Guidance note - Humanitarian aidCommission guidance note on the provision of humanitarian aid in compliance with EU restrictive measures (sanctions).26 February 2022Frequently asked questions - SanctionsFrequently asked questions: Restrictive measures (sanctions).13 August 2021Guidance note & Statement - Humanitarian aid to fight the COVID-19Guidance note on the provision of humanitarian aid to fight the COVID-19 pandemic in certain environments subject to EU sanctions (clarification on Covid-19 vaccines and therapeutics, EU counter-terrorism sanctions, Iran, Nicaragua, Syria, Venezuela) Statement - Sanctions: Commission issues additional guidance on providing COVID-19-related humanitarian aid in sanctioned environments2 June 2021Opinion - Central African RepublicOpinion on the release of frozen funds under Council Regulation (EU) No 224/2014 (Central African Republic).27 May 2021Opinion - Libya, SyriaOpinion on changes to the features of frozen funds (Libya, Syria).11 May 2021Guidance note - Myanmar/BurmaGuidance note on the implementation of Council Regulation (EU) No 401/2013 (Myanmar/Burma) Press release on the guidance note on the implementation of Council Regulation (EU) No 401/2013 (Myanmar/Burma)17 December 2020Guidance note - EU global human rights sanctions regimeGuidance note on the implementation of Council Regulation (EU) 2020/1998 (EU global human rights sanctions regime) Press release on the guidance note on the implementation of Council Regulation (EU) 2020/1998 (EU global human rights sanctions regime)16 November 2020Guidance note - Humanitarian aid to fight the COVID-19Guidance note on the provision of humanitarian aid to fight the COVID-19 pandemic in certain environments subject to EU sanctions (Iran, Nicaragua, Syria, Venezuela)This guidance note has been replaced by the guidance note of 13 August 2021 Press release on the guidance note on the provision of humanitarian aid to fight the COVID-19 pandemic in certain environments subject to EU sanctions9 Octobre 2020Guidance note - Humanitarian aid to fight the COVID-19Guidance note on the provision of humanitarian aid to fight the COVID-19 pandemic in certain environments subject to EU sanctions (Iran, Syria, Venezuela)This guidance note has been replaced by the guidance note of 13 August 2021 Statement - Sanctions: Commission expands Guidance on COVID-19-related humanitarian aid in sanctioned environments19 June 2020Opinion - Individual financial sanctions (control, and services and labour as economic resources)Commission opinion on Article 2 of Council Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 (territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine), notably on “control” and on services and labour as “economic resources”.3 June 2020Non official guide - Humanitarian funds Syria“Risk management principles guide for sending humanitarian funds into Syria and similar high-risk jurisdictions” – non-official guide supported by the Commission.11 May 2020Guidance note - Humanitarian aid to fight the COVID-19 (Syria)Guidance note on the provision of humanitarian aid to fight the COVID-19 pandemic in certain environments subject to EU sanctions (Syria)This guidance note has been replaced by the guidance note of 13 August 2021 Questions and answers on the provision of humanitarian aid to fight the COVID-19 pandemic in Syria Press release on the guidance note on the provision of humanitarian aid to fight the COVID-19 pandemic in certain environments subject to EU sanctions8 November 2019Opinion - National asset freezesOpinion on the compatibility of national asset freezes imposed by Member States with Union law.29 August 2019Opinion - Derogations freezing fundsOpinion on the application of derogations from the freezing of funds and from the prohibition to make funds and economic resources available to designated persons and entities.5 August 2019Opinion - Higher educationOpinion on the provision of higher education and the undertaking of applied research in the framework of a prohibition to provide technology or technical assistance to a third country.4 July 2019Opinion - Freezing of funds (Iran)Opinion on the freezing of funds of a non-designated person transferred into a Member State from a designated bank and the derogation for “extraordinary expenses” under Article 28 of Council Regulation (EU) No 267/2012 (Iran – non-proliferation).7 June 2019Opinion - LibyaOpinion on Article 5(4) of Council Regulation (EU) 2016/44 (Libya).31 January 2019Guidance note - Import and export ban of luxury goodsGuidance note on the import and export ban of luxury goods under Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1509 (Democratic People's Republic of Korea).Show 21 more items1 September 2017Frequently asked questions - SyriaFrequently asked questions on EU sanctions in Syria. Sanctions against Russia Russia’s military aggression against UkraineSanctions against Russia More about sanctionsHumanitarian assistance in environments subject to EU sanctionsThe Commission adopted guidance and a number of tools to assist humanitarian operators in delivering assistance in compliance with EU sanctions.EU blocking statuteThe European Union’s blocking statute (Council Regulation (EC) No 2271/96 ) protects EU operators from the extra-territorial application of non-EU country laws. Contact The Commission and the Member States have different contact points that can provide answers to your queries. Explore our “Contacts” page to find the right channel for your specific needs.Contact us on EU sanctions Related links Council of the EUEuropean External Action Service (EEAS)EU solidarity with Ukraine This page was last updated on 17 November 2025
EU sanctions mapThe EU sanctions map provides comprehensive details of all EU sanctions regimes and their corresponding legal acts, including those regimes adopted by the UN Security Council and transposed at EU level.
EU sanctions helpdeskThe EU sanctions helpdesk platform supports European operators in complying with EU restrictive measures imposed worldwide. Aimed primarily at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the helpdesk offers resources, information, and cost‑free personalised help to companies performing sanctions due diligence checks.
Financial sanctions: Consolidated listThe consolidated list of individuals, groups and organisations subject to EU financial sanctions, which DG FISMA manages and updates whenever necessary, reflects the officially adopted texts published in the Official Journal of the EU. You can also download a PDF version of the consolidated list of financial sanctions.
EU sanctions whistleblower toolSharing of information about EU sanctions violations can contribute to the success of ongoing investigations in EU Member States and increase the effectiveness of EU sanctions.
EUR-LexEUR-Lex is the online gateway to EU Law. It provides the official and most comprehensive access to EU legal documents, including legal acts adopted by the Council of the EU in the area of sanctions and published in the Official Journal of the EU. EUR-lex is available in all of the EU’s 24 official languages and is updated daily.
Humanitarian assistance in environments subject to EU sanctionsThe Commission adopted guidance and a number of tools to assist humanitarian operators in delivering assistance in compliance with EU sanctions.
EU blocking statuteThe European Union’s blocking statute (Council Regulation (EC) No 2271/96 ) protects EU operators from the extra-territorial application of non-EU country laws.
