Initial consolidated figures from Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, show detections of irregular border crossings at the EU’s external borders fell by over one-quarter (26%) in 2025 to almost 178 000. This is less than half the total recorded in 2023 and the lowest level since 2021. 聽
The European Central Bank (ECB) has successfully embedded climate- and nature-related risks into its core operations, marking the completion of its 2024鈥�2025 climate and nature plan. Over the past two years, the ECB refined how these risks inform policy decisions, supervise banks, and manage its own portfolios, strengthening both financial stability and the bank鈥檚 operational […]
The European Central Bank (ECB) and the European Systemic Risk Board (ESRB) have published a joint report analyzing how rising geopolitical risks and geoeconomic fragmentation affect financial stability in the euro area and the wider EU. The report identifies key channels through which geopolitical shocks can impact the financial system, including tighter financial conditions, increased […]
For the 15th time, Europe鈥檚 best festivals were celebrated at the European Festival Awards gala on January 14 in Groningen, Netherlands. Sziget returned home with a prestigious award once again: the jury of European festival professionals honored the 2025 Sziget for its efforts in the 鈥淭ake a Stand鈥� category, recognizing festivals that champion social causes. […]
Euro area bank interest rates showed little change in November 2025, according to data published by the European Central Bank (ECB).
Bulgaria officially joined the euro area, becoming the 21st EU Member State to use the single European currency. Euro banknotes and coins have begun circulating, with the official conversion rate set at 1.95583 Bulgarian lev per 1 euro.
On 2 January 2026, the European Central Bank reported the following key trends in monetary aggregates and lending for November 2025:
As of 26 December 2025, the Eurosystem鈥檚 total assets and liabilities stood at 鈧�6,163.8 billion, reflecting a weekly increase of 鈧�28.9 billion. Key changes included a rise in banknotes in circulation to 鈧�1,620.2 billion and an increase in lending to euro area credit institutions for monetary policy operations to 鈧�36.7 billion, while securities holdings slightly […]
The European Central Bank (ECB) is streamlining its assessment of banks鈥� standardised capital and securitisation operations, cutting approval times from three months to just two weeks starting January 2026. The new fast-track procedures will allow banks to receive quicker responses for share buybacks, capital repurchases, and reductions in capital requirements following significant risk transfers, while […]
New data published by the ECB indicate that negotiated wage growth in the euro area is set to slow and gradually normalise in 2026, following elevated pressures in recent years. According to the ECB wage tracker, which covers active collective bargaining agreements, wage growth including smoothed one-off payments is estimated at 3.2% in 2025 and […]
