The European Commission estimates the annual recurring cost of administrative processes at €150 billion.
78% confidence
EconomyEuropean Union
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The €150 billion is a long-standing Commission estimate of the administrative burden imposed by EU legislation on businesses and national authorities (recurring compliance/reporting costs), not the internal cost of 'designing administrative processes' as the MEP's wording implies.
The Commission's own simplification communication (2025-2026) cites around €17 billion in annual administrative cost savings already achieved and a target of €37.5 billion by 2029, i.e. 25% of the €150 billion baseline — the baseline itself has not been formally re-estimated recently.
No 2026 re-estimate of the €150 billion figure was found; the most recent explicit restatement located is from February 2025 (Commissioner Dombrovskis), so the figure reflects the Commission's standing estimate rather than a fresh measurement.
Sources
PrimaryEuropean Commission — 'Simpler rules for a stronger economy' (competitiveness/simplification)"Across all businesses, we intend to reduce the administrative burden by at least 25%, representing an expected saving of €37.5 billion by 2029." And: "Our simplification efforts so far will save businesses, industries, farmers and national authorities around €17 billion in annual administrative costs." A 25% reduction corresponding to €37.5 billion implies a baseline annual administrative burden of €150 billion.
SecondaryEl País — 'Dombrovskis: La necesidad de reducir cargas administrativas es más aguda que antes'"Según los cálculos de la Comisión, eso supone rebajar en 35.000 millones de euros una tarea que ahora les consume 150.000 millones en toda la UE" (According to the Commission's calculations, this means cutting by €35 billion a burden that currently consumes €150 billion across the EU).
SecondaryABN AMRO Research — 'Sovereignty increases EU regulatory burden'"The annual administrative burden is estimated at EUR 150 billion, encompassing direct burdens. Indirect burdens, such as companies refraining from certain investments, are not accounted for." Also: Dombrovskis tasked with "reducing administrative burdens for all companies by 25%, amounting to EUR 37.5 billion."