Key data
| Regulation | Council Decision (EU, Euratom) 2026/1296, of 26 May 2026 |
|---|---|
| Official reference | OJ:L_202601296 |
| Publication | 10 June 2026 |
| Entry into force | Not specified — requires ratification by national parliaments |
| Modified regulation | European Electoral Act of 1976, annexed to Council Decision 76/787/ECSC, EEC, Euratom of 20 September 1976 |
| Main affected parties | European citizens with voting rights, political parties and EU Member States |
| Category | European Regulation |
| Year | 2026 |
The rules for electing Members of the European Parliament are changing substantially for the first time in decades. The Council Decision (EU, Euratom) 2026/1296, published on 10 June 2026, modifies the European Electoral Act of 1976 — the foundational text that has regulated European elections for nearly 50 years.
This reform is not a minor technical adjustment. It touches the pillars of the system: how constituencies are organized, what minimum thresholds parties must exceed to obtain representation, how electoral campaigns are financed and what positions are incompatible with the seat of MEP. For political parties, electoral advisers and compliance officers in organizations with political activity or lobbying in Brussels, this regulation requires immediate attention.
What does this regulation establish?
Decision 2026/1296 modifies the Act relating to the election of the Members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage, a document dating from 20 September 1976 and which constitutes the legal basis for all European elections held to date.
According to available information, the reform addresses the following areas:
| Modified area | Description of change |
|---|---|
| National electoral systems | Possible adjustments to voting models applicable in each Member State |
| Electoral constituencies | Review of territorial organization for the election of MEPs |
| Minimum representation thresholds | Modification of the minimum percentages a party must obtain to access the European Parliament |
| Campaign financing | New rules on how electoral activity of parties in European elections is financed |
| MEP incompatibilities | Update of positions or functions incompatible with the exercise of the MEP mandate |
A critical aspect of this reform is its entry into force process: as a modification of the European Electoral Act, publication in the EU Official Journal is not sufficient. Each of the 27 Member States must ratify it in accordance with their own constitutional procedures, which in most cases involves parliamentary vote. Only when all States have completed that process will the reform be fully applicable.
Economic and operational impact
This regulation does not generate direct costs for private companies in the sense of fees or taxes. Its impact is of a constitutional, democratic and operational nature for actors in the European political and electoral ecosystem.
The most relevant practical effects for organizations and professionals are:
- Political parties: will have to review their campaign structures, financing models and possible incompatibilities of their candidates in light of the new rules.
- Legal and electoral advisers: will need to update their electoral compliance analyses for the next European elections.
- Lobbying and interest representation organizations in Brussels: changes in incompatibilities may affect what profiles can access or remain in the European Parliament.
- National public administrations: the competent ministries in electoral matters of each Member State will have to promote the necessary national legislative reforms to adapt their internal regulations.
- Citizens with voting rights in the EU: the new rules on thresholds and constituencies may change how their vote is translated into seats.
The impact on the functioning of the main legislative body of the European Union is direct: the future composition of the European Parliament and the representativeness of the different political groups will depend on how these new rules are applied in each Member State.
Who is affected?
- Political parties with presence or aspirations in the European Parliament
- Foundations and organizations linked to parties that manage European campaign financing
- MEPs in office who must verify whether their activities or positions result in incompatibility under the new rules
- Potential candidates for the next European elections
- Legal advisers and electoral consultants working with parties or European institutions
- Lobbying organizations with activity before the European Parliament
- National electoral administrations (in Spain, the Central Electoral Board and the Ministry of Interior)
- European citizens with voting rights, especially those residing in a Member State other than their nationality
- National parliaments of the 27 Member States, which must ratify the reform
Practical example
Imagine a Spanish national political party that in the last European elections obtained a result close to the minimum representation threshold. If the reform raises or modifies that threshold, the party could be excluded from representation in the European Parliament in the next electoral call, even if it obtains a similar result to the previous one.
At the same time, if the reform introduces new rules on incompatibilities, one of its MEPs in office could be forced to resign from a position or parallel activity to maintain their seat. The party will have to review the situation of each of its representatives in Brussels as soon as the reform is ratified by Spain.
This type of analysis — which today is a recommendation — can become a legal obligation as soon as the Spanish Parliament ratifies Decision 2026/1296 and adapts the Organic Law on the General Electoral System (LOREG) to the new European requirements.
What should organizations do now?
- Identify if the organization is affected: political parties, linked foundations, lobbying organizations and electoral advisers must determine whether the new rules apply directly to them.
- Review current incompatibilities: MEPs in office and their legal teams must analyze whether any parallel activity or position could be affected by the new incompatibility rules.
- Monitor the national ratification process: the reform does not enter into force until all Member States ratify it. In Spain, following the parliamentary procedure of the LOREG is key to knowing the actual timeline for implementation.
- Update electoral campaign plans: if the organization plans to participate in the next European elections, review campaign financing rules in light of the new regulation.
- Consult with legal advisers specialized in European electoral law: given the constitutional scope of the reform and the need to adapt national legislation, it is advisable to have specialized advice before making strategic decisions.
Frequently asked questions
When does the 2026 European Parliament electoral reform enter into force?
Decision 2026/1296 was published on 10 June 2026, but has no specified entry into force date. By modifying the European Electoral Act of 1976, its application requires ratification by the national parliaments of the 27 Member States in accordance with their respective constitutional procedures. Only when all States complete that process will the reform be fully applicable.
What specific aspects of European elections does this Council decision modify?
According to available information, the reform may affect: the national electoral systems applicable to European elections, the organization of electoral constituencies, the minimum representation thresholds that parties must exceed to obtain seats, the rules for financing European electoral campaigns, and the incompatibilities of MEPs with other positions or activities.
What regulation does Decision 2026/1296 exactly modify?
It modifies the Act relating to the election of the Members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage, which is the document annexed to Council Decision 76/787/ECSC, EEC, Euratom of 20 September 1976. This Act is the legal basis that has regulated all European elections held since then.
Do Spanish political parties need to adapt anything now?
For now, the reform is not directly applicable until Spain ratifies it in Parliament and adapts its national electoral legislation (mainly the LOREG). However, it is advisable that parties with representation or aspirations in the European Parliament begin now to review their campaign structures, financing and the incompatibilities of their MEPs, to be prepared when ratification occurs.
Does this regulation affect European citizens residing in Spain who are not Spanish nationals?
Yes. Citizens of other EU Member States residing in Spain have the right to vote in European elections. The new rules on constituencies, thresholds and electoral systems may affect how their vote is counted and what parties obtain representation, depending on how Spain adapts its national legislation to the reform.
Official source
Consult complete regulation in official source — EUR-Lex, EU Official Journal
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=OJ:L_202601296