The European Commission, in a reply dated 13 July 2026 to the Romanian Camera Deputaților, has clarified the limits of its role in implementing the Financial Literacy Strategy for the EU, stating it cannot intervene in national education curricula. The reply, issued under reference C(2026)5050, responds to the Romanian chamber's opinion on the Commission's communication COM(2025)681 final, published on 30 September 2025, which itself forms part of the Savings and Investments Union Strategy adopted on 19 March 2025.
The Commission acknowledges that education – in schools, universities, and vocational training – remains a Member State competence. Instead, it will focus on coordination, monitoring progress, facilitating best practice exchange, and providing funding under EU competence, specifically through pillars three and four of the strategy. To this end, it plans to organise workshops with Member States and stakeholders, and support a network of financial literacy practitioners.
On a key request from the Romanian parliament, the Commission agrees to develop an EU Code of Conduct for private and not-for-profit organisations active in financial literacy. The code will be explicitly voluntary, aiming to ensure neutrality and transparency of financial education initiatives. The Commission also notes proposals for multi-platform awareness campaigns – using traditional media, social networks, and public events – and for broader use of trading and investment simulations as educational tools.
The reply reaffirms the Commission's supportive but non-interventionist stance, balancing EU-level coordination with respect for national sovereignty over education. The main trade-off is between the desire for harmonised financial literacy standards across the EU and the legal limits of EU competence. For Member States, the outcome means they retain full control over curricula but can access EU funding and best practices. For EU citizens, the strategy may lead to more consistent, high-quality financial education over time, but progress will depend on national uptake. For private and non-profit organisations, the voluntary code offers a framework for credibility without mandatory compliance. The European Parliament and the Council are expected to monitor the implementation of the strategy, with the Commission reporting on progress in due course.