Reality check on “the complexity of the EU banking regulatory framework”

This workshop forms part of the preparatory work for the 2026 report on the single market in banking, including an evaluation of its competitiveness in the sector and how the banking sector can contribute to the competitiveness of the EU economy. It aims at initiating a discussion on the issues and challenges that the EU banking regulatory framework currently faces, including how to achieve further integration of the single market for banking – which can be an opportunity to reduce complexity for banks, businesses and supervisory authorities. The workshop is intended to gather views and reflections from a wide and varied selection of stakeholders.

Stakeholders have pointed to the cumulative complexity of the EU rulebook and to divergent implementation across Member States. They note that the complex design of the framework, inconsistent and overlapping requirements, differing supervisory interpretations, multiple reporting obligations and overly prescriptive rules can lead to inefficiencies which increase compliance costs, reduce competitiveness and hinder cross-border activity.

The reality check will examine the complexity of the EU banking regulatory framework, covering the microprudential, macroprudential, and resolution dimensions and the interactions stemming from the three areas. Structured around four thematic sessions, it will combine presentations, moderated discussions, and open dialogue among policymakers, supervisors, market participants, and experts from banks, non-governmental organisations, academia, and think tanks.

The findings from this reality check will inform the Commission’s work on the 2026 report on the single market in banking, as announced in the savings and investments union Communication. Presentations made at the workshop and a summary of the discussions will be made public.

Please note that this event is by invitation only and not open for registration.

More information on reality checks

Introduced by the Commission’s communication on “a simpler and faster Europe”, reality checks are a new consultation tool, at technical level, focused on ensuring that policy objectives are achieved in a way that minimise administrative burden for businesses. In these checks, Commission services seek detailed technical feedback from practitioners on the implementation of EU rules, including on measures to make them simpler and facilitate their implementation.