A Commission staff working document published on 3 July 2026 estimates that the total external assigned revenues from supervisory fees on very large online platforms (VLOPs) and very large online search engines (VLOSEs) for 2027 will be EUR 42,877,889. The estimate, required by Article 6(1) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1127, is based on projected costs of EUR 58,531,030, reduced by a EUR 15,653,141 surplus carried over from 2025. The Commission currently supervises 23 online platforms and two online search engines designated as VLOPs and VLOSEs under the Digital Services Act.
The estimated costs for 2027 include EUR 40,378,708 for human resources, covering 270 Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs), and EUR 18,152,322 for other operational and administrative expenditure, such as databases, IT systems, external experts, capacity building, Board activities, missions, and recruitment. The fee estimation is included in the Draft General Budget of the Union for Financial Year 2027. The reduction of the fee by the 2025 surplus means that platforms will pay less than the full estimated cost for the upcoming year, reflecting a financial adjustment mechanism built into the regulatory framework.
The 23 VLOPs and two VLOSEs will face a collective fee of EUR 42.9 million, a reduction from the full cost estimate due to the surplus carryover. This provides a modest financial relief for these companies compared to a scenario without the surplus adjustment. EU taxpayers benefit indirectly as the supervisory regime is funded by industry fees rather than the EU budget. The Commission's regulatory capacity is supported by 270 FTEs and operational resources, ensuring oversight of platform compliance with the Digital Services Act. The fee structure also creates a predictable cost for platforms, aiding their financial planning.
The document serves as a formal notification of the fee estimate, with the final fee amount to be set in the 2027 EU budget. No further institutional follow-up is required at this stage, as the estimate is published annually by 30 June.