The European Commission is opening three new criminal procedures against Bulgaria and other EU countries for failing to implement European rules in several areas of common legislation on time.
It is specified that the deadlines for implementing changes have recently expired. The countries in question will be able to take the necessary actions within two months, otherwise the criminal procedures will continue, news.bg recalls.
The EC has found that Bulgaria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Finland and Sweden have not reported the full implementation of the rules on electronic evidence. Under these rules, national authorities are given the opportunity to collect electronic evidence from service providers in the EU, even if the companies are based in a foreign country. European rules in this area support the work of judicial and law enforcement authorities and contribute to increasing the safety of Europeans, the communication states.
All providers offering services in the EU must designate a legal representative and have him or her receive and execute requests for electronic evidence from authorities. EU prosecutors or judges can quickly obtain data in criminal investigations or proceedings from companies based outside the EU by contacting their legal representatives in the EU. European countries had until 18 February 2026 to implement the rules into their national law, the EC explained.
In addition, the EC is opening criminal proceedings against Bulgaria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia and Sweden for failing to implement the rules on a European single access point in a timely manner. These rules provide investors with access to corporate public information. The deadline for this was 10 January 2026, and the changes are related to the convergence of EU capital markets. The legislative changes provide for easier financing for EU companies, promote economic growth and job creation, the communication adds.
The EC is also opening procedures against Bulgaria, Belgium, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden for not fully implementing the changes to the rules on capital requirements related to the provision of banking services in the EU by companies from foreign countries. The EU rules aim to unify supervisory powers in several areas, such as periodic fines, fit and proper assessments, and the independence of supervisory authorities. The Commission notes that the changed European rules ensure financial stability so that banks can provide loans and services to citizens in all economic circumstances.