Germany, France Push EU to Simplify Financial Rules

BERLIN, 17 February 2026 – Germany and France are jointly urging the European Commission to introduce a comprehensive “financial services simplification package”, aimed at making European Union regulations more accessible and less burdensome for businesses, according to a letter obtained by Reuters on Tuesday.

The correspondence, addressed to European Commissioner for Financial Services Maria Luís Albuquerque and dated last Friday, was co-signed by German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil and French Finance Minister Roland Lescure. It outlines a series of areas where EU financial legislation could be streamlined without compromising market stability or regulatory oversight.

The ministers emphasised that minor adjustments to future legislation alone would be insufficient. Instead, they advocate for a comprehensive review and simplification of existing rules, with the dual goal of strengthening the EU single market for financial services and enhancing the global competitiveness of European financial institutions.

Key proposals highlighted in the letter include:

The ministers argued that these reforms would allow financial firms to operate more efficiently, while still upholding financial stability, investor protection, and regulatory oversight. They further indicated that Germany and France are preparing detailed proposals on banking regulations, which will be submitted to the Commission in the near future.

Financial analysts have suggested that such a package could have a significant impact on the European banking sector, particularly in reducing compliance costs for mid-sized and large institutions, while also clarifying overlapping rules that have emerged over the past decade.

The move reflects a broader push by major EU member states to enhance the attractiveness of Europe as a global financial hub, particularly as the bloc competes with London, New York, and Asian financial centres. By simplifying both existing and upcoming rules, France and Germany aim to foster a more predictable and transparent regulatory environment for investors and institutions alike.