EU Inc Council position: what changed on 23 October?
The Council agreed its negotiating position on 23 October 2026. Its presidency can negotiate with Parliament once Parliament adopts its own position. This is progress in the legislative process, not a company-registration launch.
- Preparation period: the mandate proposes general application at the end of the 21st month after entry into force. The September Presidency draft used 27 months; the Commission proposal used 12.
- Employee options: Article 79 would limit its tax provisions to warrants issued when the company has fewer than 750 employees and annual turnover of no more than €150 million. These are company-size conditions for that tax treatment, not a limit on who can form an EU Inc.
- Next decision: Parliament's procedure file still shows a committee decision pending at our 24 October check. Agreement, formal adoption and application remain separate steps.
For founders, the practical result is a clearer Council position to compare with the Commission proposal. There is still no confirmed registration date. Read the negotiating mandate, ST 14376/26, the EU-ESO changes and the application timetable.
Dated updates and sources
Each entry identifies its event date, source-check date and status. Older entries retain the sources and conclusions from their stated check date. The 11 October analysis records the earlier position.
Council agrees its negotiating position on EU Inc
The Council adopted a mandate for negotiations with Parliament. It proposes a 21-month general application period after entry into force and narrows the company-size conditions for the EU-ESO tax provisions. Parliament still needs its own position.
For founders: This completes a Council negotiating step. It does not adopt the final regulation or open registration.
Sources checked .
Council meeting lists the second Presidency compromise text
The official Company Law Working Party record for 8 October lists the second compromise text, ST 12824/26. This is continued work on the proposal, not adoption of the regulation.
For founders: Registration remains closed. A working-party meeting does not establish a launch date.
Sources checked .
Canfin says the committee vote will not take place that week
Parliament negotiator Pascal Canfin reported that employee participation remained unresolved. He said the committee vote would not take place that week. The Parliament procedure file still shows "Awaiting committee decision" at our source check.
For founders: The 19 October plenary date in the procedure file is indicative, not a confirmed vote or registration opening.
Sources checked .
Irish Presidency briefs ministers on progress
The Competitiveness Council received an update on EU Inc under any other business. The published results record an information update, not an agreed final regulation.
For founders: Political progress and legal availability are separate milestones.
Sources checked .
Employment committee opinion appears in the procedure file
The Legislative Observatory records the EMPL committee opinion, PE788.967, dated 11 September. An opinion from another committee does not replace the lead JURI committee decision.
For founders: Worker protections remain part of the negotiations; this is not final parliamentary approval.
Sources checked .
Founders launch the 100 days campaign
The EU-INC campaign asks policymakers to preserve a central registry and standardised stock options. Its calendar marks 10 September as the campaign launch. These are the campaign's demands, not agreed legislation.
For founders: Treat these features as proposals under negotiation when planning a company or an employee equity scheme.
Sources checked .
Council Presidency draft proposes a 27-month application period
Article 109 of the second Presidency compromise text replaces the proposed 12-month application period with 27 months after entry into force. This is a draft change, not an adopted timetable.
For founders: The earlier 2027-2028 launch estimate is no longer a reliable planning assumption. No launch date is confirmed.
Sources checked .
Parliament publishes committee amendments
The procedure file lists five sets of committee amendments, PE791.127 to PE791.131. They follow the rapporteur's draft report of 29 June and are proposals for changes, not an adopted Parliament position.
For founders: The March Commission text is the starting point. Its features can still change.
Sources checked .
Parliament adopts a separate resolution on a possible tax module
Parliament adopted its own-initiative resolution under procedure 2025/2211(INI). It calls for work on a possible tax module alongside EU Inc. The resolution does not introduce a new tax system or a common corporate tax rate.
For founders: Existing tax obligations continue. Keep this separate from the EU Inc company-law bill.
Sources checked .
The starting point: 18 March 2026
The Commission published its EU Inc company-law proposal, COM(2026) 321, on 18 March. It proposes a harmonised company form in each member state, digital formation and an optional employee stock option scheme. Parliament and Council can amend this text before adoption. Read the Commission package.
For the earlier reports, petition and political commitments, see the full timeline.
What to watch next
The next substantive steps are a decision by Parliament's lead Legal Affairs Committee (JURI), Parliament's negotiating position and negotiations between the institutions. The Council mandate is now agreed. Check the official Parliament file for recorded decisions; an indicative calendar date does not establish that a vote took place.
A year-end political agreement remains a target. It is separate from formal adoption, entry into force and the later date when registration can start. Follow the tracker for those separate stages.
Frequently asked questions
What is the latest EU Inc news?
EU Inc is still a legislative proposal. The Council agreed its negotiating position on 23 October 2026. As checked on 24 October, Parliament is still awaiting a committee decision. Registration is not open and there is no confirmed launch date. The Council mandate proposes general application at the end of the 21st month after entry into force. The Commission proposed 12 months. The final timetable is not agreed.
Did the Council approve EU Inc on 23 October 2026?
The Council approved its negotiating position. It did not adopt the final regulation or open company registration. Parliament still needs its position before the institutions can negotiate a final text.
Has Parliament approved the EU Inc regulation?
The official procedure file still showed Awaiting committee decision when checked on 24 October 2026. The Council mandate is a separate institutional step.
Does the Council mandate set the EU Inc launch date?
No. It proposes general application at the end of the 21st month after entry into force. The final regulation, application provisions and registration date are not agreed.
Has the EU introduced a 28th tax regime?
No new tax regime follows from Parliament's 9 July 2026 resolution. That separate own-initiative resolution calls for work on a possible tax module. It is not the EU Inc regulation or an enacted tax system.