In a written answer on 15 June 2026, European Commissioner Maria Luís Albuquerque addressed concerns about the practical humanitarian impact of EU sanctions on individuals who are EU nationals or permanent residents, emphasising that all sanctions regimes include derogations to cover basic needs such as food, medicine, and rent. The answer, responding to a question from MEP Per Clausen (The Left) submitted on 9 April 2026, aims to reassure that the EU's restrictive measures are targeted, proportionate, and temporary, and that the Commission is committed to mitigating unforeseen humanitarian implications while respecting fundamental rights.
Albuquerque outlined that listed individuals and their dependent family members may request derogations from competent national authorities to cover essential living costs. Member States are responsible for implementation and enforcement, while the Commission monitors the application of derogations to ensure consistency across the EU. The answer provides concrete figures: over 4,000 individuals are currently subject to EU sanctions, but only a few are EU nationals or permanent residents. The Commission also points to the EU Sanctions Tracker tool for public transparency on listings.
The answer is largely declarative, reaffirming existing mechanisms rather than announcing new measures. It does not specify how many EU nationals or permanent residents are sanctioned, nor does it detail the duration of their listings. The policy orientation is one of maintaining the current framework with a focus on humanitarian safeguards. No immediate institutional follow-up is signalled, but the answer underscores the Commission's monitoring role and the periodic review of listings by the Council.
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