ESMA publishes 2026 annual work programme

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has published its 2026 annual work programme, guided by its 2023-2028 strategy.

Key priorities include: (i) continuing to build on existing priorities under the savings & investments union (SIU) strategy particularly by aligning supervisory practices across Member States, enhancing market data capabilities and contributing to upcoming reforms designed to create a more integrated and globally competitive EU financial system; (ii) continuing support for key legislative files such as the revised European Market Infrastructure Regulation (EMIR 3) and the European Single Access Point. Other legislative files that may warrant ESMA's involvement include the Retail Investment Strategy, along with the reviews of the Packaged Retail and Insurance-Based Investment Products Regulation, Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation and the Securitisation Regulation; and (iii) driving data innovation and market integration through the rollout of the ESMA Data Platform and the development of AI-powered supervisory tools. ESMA will also continue to focus on the effective implementation of the Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation, particularly on the authorisation and supervision of crypto-asset service providers and coordinate closely with market participants on the T+1 settlement cycle towards the agreed implementation date of 11 October 2027.

Alongside the work programme, ESMA has published its simplification and burden reduction document, outlining upcoming publications expected in Q1 and Q2 2026 aimed at streamlining regulatory requirements and reducing compliance burdens.

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