Restrictive measures (sanctions) are an essential tool in the EU’s common foreign and security policy (CFSP), through which the EU can intervene where necessary to prevent conflict or respond to emerging or current crises. In spite of their colloquial name ‘sanctions’, EU restrictive measures are not punitive. They are intended to bring about a change in policy or activity by targeting non-EU countries, as well as entities and individuals, responsible for the malign behaviour at stake.
The EU has over forty different sanctions regimes in place. Some are mandated by the United Nations Security Council, whereas 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, give effect to these decisions into EU law through joint proposals for Council regulations, also adopted by the Council. In addition, in its role as guardian of the treaties the Commission has an essential 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 security
- preventing conflicts
- supporting democracy, the rule of law and human rights and
- defending the principles of international law
Types of measures
EU sanctions may target governments of non-EU countries, as well as companies, groups, organisations, or individuals through the following measures
- arms embargoes
- restrictions on admission (travel bans)
- asset freezes
- other economic measures such as restrictions on imports and exports
EU 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?
While EU sanctions inherently have an effect in non-EU countries, as they are a foreign policy tool, the measures apply only within EU jurisdiction. In other words, the obligations they impose are binding on EU nationals or persons 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 in place effective, proportionate and dissuasive penalties, and enforce them when EU sanctions are breached.
The role of the European Commission
The 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 into EU law certain United Nations sanctions.
DG FISMA is also in charge of monitoring, on behalf of the European Commission, the implementation and enforcement of EU sanctions across 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.
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 third countries. This is reflected in the mission letter of Commissioner Mairead McGuinness and in the Commission’s Work Programme 2020, as part of the financial sovereignty initiative (see also the EU Blocking Statute).
EU sanctions map
The 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 whistleblower tool
Sharing 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.
If you are aware of possible violations of any EU sanctions, you can bring this to the Commission’s attention by voluntarily providing information. This information can relate, for example, to facts concerning sanctions violations, their circumstances and the individuals, companies and third countries involved. These can be facts that are not publicly known but are known to you and can cover past, ongoing or planned sanctions violations, as well as attempts to circumvent EU sanctions.
There are two ways you can report sanctions violations:
- Contact us directly: you can help us best if you come forward and provide your name and contact details, since this will give your statement more credibility and make it more likely that we are able to take action.
To report sanctions violations this way you can simply send an email to relex-sanctions@ec.europa.eu - Remain anonymous: if you do not want to reveal your identity you can send us an anonymous message through the EU sanctions whistleblower tool, which is a highly secure online platform. The European Commission, who manages the tool, is fully committed to protecting your anonymity.To access the tool, learn how your anonymity is protected, and report a sanctions violation, please copy paste or manually re-type the following URL for security reasons: https://EUsanctions.integrityline.com in your browser.
EU sanctions tool
The EU sanctions tool aims to help EU companies in determining whether EU sanctions apply to their exports, imports and business with Iran. By providing an easy-to-use compliance assessment, the tool is designed as a first point of reference for EU companies at an early stage of their business engagement in Iran.
EU-level contact point for humanitarian aid
The EU-level contact point for humanitarian aid in environments subject to EU sanctions is a dedicated channel aimed at providing practical information to humanitarian operators on requesting humanitarian derogations under EU sanctions. By helping to identify the relevant competent authorities of the Member States concerned and providing preliminary replies to general queries relating to requests for humanitarian derogations, the contact point aims to facilitate the task of humanitarian operators acting in sanctioned environments in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and to provide practical support to comply with EU sanctions.
Factsheet summarising the most common rules and procedures that are in place in the Member States to grant authorisations for humanitarian derogation under EU sanctions
Due diligence helpdesk
The Due diligence helpdesk, also designed for EU SMEs interested in trade with Iran, provides tailor-made support by carrying out due diligence checks on EU sanctions compliance for specific business projects.
Financial sanctions: Consolidated list
The consolidated list of persons, groups and entities 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.
Sanctions adopted following Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine
In reaction to Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine the European Union adopted sanctions against Russia.
List of adopted financial sanctions
Frequently asked questions on sanctions against Russia
National competent authorities for sanctions implementation
Member 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.
Guidance on the implementation of EU sanctions
2022
- 26 February 2022
2021
- 13 August 2021
- 8 June 2021
- 2 June 2021
- 27 May 2021
- 11 May 2021
2020
- 17 December 2020
- 16 November 2020
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- Guidance 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
- Guidance note on the provision of humanitarian aid to fight the COVID-19 pandemic in certain environments subject to EU sanctions (Iran, Nicaragua, Syria, Venezuela)
- 9 October 2020
-
- Guidance 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
- Guidance note on the provision of humanitarian aid to fight the COVID-19 pandemic in certain environments subject to EU sanctions (Iran, Syria, Venezuela)
- 19 June 2020
- 3 June 2020
- 11 May 2020
-
- 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
- Guidance note on the provision of humanitarian aid to fight the COVID-19 pandemic in certain environments subject to EU sanctions (Syria)
2019
- 8 November 2019
- 17 October 2019
- 29 August 2019
- 5 August 2019
- 4 July 2019
- 4 July 2019
- 7 June 2019
- 31 January 2019
2018
2017