EU strengthens terrorism sanctions regime, adds new designation criteria

27 February 2026

The EU has amended its terrorism sanctions regime under Regulation (EC) No 2580/2001 by expanding its listing criteria and introducing travel bans on sanctioned individuals. The Council has not added or deleted any designations.

The amendments, set out in Regulation (EU) 2026/456, include:

• Updated designation criteria at Article 2(6) which allow the EU to sanction “leading members of” (Art 2(6)(c)) and people associated with (Art 2(6)(d)) listed terrorist groups;
• New provisions setting out grounds for national competent authorities to issue sanctions licences for basic needs and payments (Article 2a), arbitral and court decisions (Article 2b) and prior obligations (Article 2c);

• Article 6b, which prevents the satisfaction of claims in connection with any contract or transaction the performance of which was affected by the Regulation.

Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/455 introduces new travel ban measures at Article 3.

For further details on the EU’s terrorism sanctions regime, see our terrorism sanctions regime page.