European Family Businesses Newsletter # 32
EFB publications & policy work
Skills Portability Initiative
In February 2026, European Family Businesses submitted its contribution to the European Commission’s call for evidence on the Skills Portability Initiative. The Skills portability Initiative is part of the Commission’s Union of Skills strategy. It is a response to the shortage of skills challenge. It assesses how to promote the portability of qualifications and skills for people moving between EU member states. The Skills Portability Initiative consists of a package of three actions. Action 1) a potential legislative proposal to facilitate worker mobility through improved transparency of skills and qualifications, and digitalisation, action 2) potential measures to facilitate, modernise and expand recognition processes for regulated professions (Directive 2005/36/EC) and action 3) a potential legislative proposal for common rules to simplify procedures for the recognition of qualifications and skills of third-country nationals. Our position to the call for evidence sought to analyse different aspects of each action.
For the full paper visit EFB’s website here.
Small Mid-Caps (SMCs): provisional agreement reached
Another step forward has been taken in the recognition of Small Mid-Cap companies (SMCs).
On 9 June 2026, the Council and Parliament reached a provisional agreement supporting a broader definition of SMCs, expanding the European Commission’s proposed definition thresholds to 1,000 employees, an annual turnover below €200 million and a balance sheet total below €172 million.
EFB and its members have long been at the forefront of advocating for EU recognition of mid-caps. Mid-caps are companies that outgrow the thresholds of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs), but are not yet large enterprises. Moreover, the recognition of this category is especially important given that family businesses grow throughout generations. This is another step inreinforcing the EU’s commitment to reducing regulatory burdens on growing businesses.
Read our short article here.
Commission Recommendation to facilitate the transfer of small and medium-sized enterprises.
It has been thirty years since the European Commission publication of the 1994 Recommendation on business transfers. We have long awaited the updated Recommendation in particular since it is expected that over the next decade thousands of businesses will transfer to the next generation.
The 2026 Recommendation brings several differences in comparison to the 1994 Recommendation. Not only is it contextualised in ongoing policy discussions which helps to demonstrate the overarching nature of business transfer challenges and brings the topic to the foreground across several policy debates, but it also updates several points and introduces topics not mentioned in the 1994 Recommendation.
Read our initial insights here.
Read more of our news updates on policies such as the 28th regime – or EU Inc proposal and the EU Emissions trading system.
EFB event and policy-related meetings
EFB’s First Family Business Policy Day
On 3 June, we held our first Family Business Policy Day. This new event format brought together high level policymakers, family business owners and policy experts to engage in discussions on some of the most important policy priorities for family businesses.
These discussions covered the geopolitical uncertainty, the completion of the Single Market, industrial competitiveness and business continuity across generations.
Find out more about our event and speakers in our event summary here.
Meetings with EU representatives
On 10 February, on the day of our board meeting in Brussels, during our lunch break, we heard from several representatives of the Directorate General for Taxation and Customs Union on several topics such as: the Direct Taxation Omnibus, the Debt-Equity Bias Reduction Allowance, the updates to the Shareholders rights, the 28th regime and the recent changes in the Carbon Boarder Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). We heard from Ms Ioana Diaconescu, Head of Unit DG TAXUD, Corporate Taxation Initiatives, Ms Astrid van Mierlo, Head of Unit DG TAXUD, Indirect taxation and tax administration on Economic Analysis and Taxation of Exempted Sectors and Mr Wout Van Leuvenhaege, Policy Officer on Company Taxation Initiatives.
You can read more about our meeting with them here.
On 15 April, on the day of a board meeting in Brussels, during our lunch we heard from Member of the European Parliament Mr Nicolás Pascual de la Parte who shared his insights on the globally shifting geopolitical situation. He analysed the existing barriers within the Single Market with regards to trade.
You can read more about our meeting with him here.
On 16 April, Mr Jesús Casado, Secretary General of European Family Businesses (EFB), joined a high-level panel discussion hosted by Ben Butters, CEO of Eurochambres on the topic of business transfers. The updated European Commission recommendation which was published in June 2026 was discussed.
You can read more about Mr Casado’s input during the event here.
On 28 April, Mr Jesús Casado, Secretary General of European Family Businesses, had a meeting with Mr Athanasios Thanopoulos, Deputy Director-General of Eurostat – the official statistical office of the European Union – in Luxembourg. During the meeting, they discussed how to develop EU wide statistics on family businesses.
You can read more about their meeting here.
Mr Jesús Casado, Secretary General of EFB and Mrs Joana Peixinho, Policy Advisor attended several SME Envoy Network meetings over the first six months of 2026. Several important topics were discussed such as business transfers, simplification, small mid-caps, scaleups and startups, the 28th regime or EU Inc and more. As observers in the SME Envoy network we were fortunate to be able to contribute to discussions on the new business transfer recommendation. We take this opportunity to thank the European Commission for their work on the business transfer recommendation.
A word form one of our chapters:
Family Business Network Finland
Family Business Network Finland visits Brussels – engagement, networks, and shared learning
The Board of the Family Business Network Finland and the Influence working group visited Brussels on 4–6 May 2026 to meet with EU decision-makers and stakeholders. The discussions highlighted the importance of facilitating business transfers, improving the functioning of the EU Single Market, ensuring regulation that supports competitiveness, and securing financing for business investments.
The programme provided a comprehensive overview of how the EU seeks to balance competences, shared objectives, and national solutions—and how decisions are ultimately reflected in practice for businesses through regulatory interpretations, standards, and implementation.
Key topics included regulatory simplification (including the so-called “digital omnibus”), the role of committee work, and the shift towards directly applicable regulations. Discussions also covered public procurement and the strengthening of a European preference, the development of insolvency and corporate taxation frameworks, and technological sovereignty.
For family businesses, the message from Brussels decision-makers was clear: anticipation and early engagement are essential, as outcomes are largely shaped in the details of the preparatory phase.
On the financing side, there was a strong emphasis on developing capital markets. Europe has substantial savings, but these are not sufficiently channelled into growth and investment. At the same time, regulatory requirements and risk constraints may tighten bank financing for SMEs, highlighting the importance of alternative financing channels. Business transfers were seen as a key means of safeguarding jobs and renewing the economy—and the role of ownership extends beyond family businesses to long-term investors such as family offices.
Miia Porkkala, Chair of the Board of the Family Business Network Finland, was highly satisfied with the outcomes of the visit: “It is extremely important that the voice of family businesses was heard in the meetings. It was great to have constructive discussions and to gain insight into EU decision-making and the people behind it. We gained valuable inspiration and new momentum for our future work. The visit also deepened our understanding of how EU decisions are prepared and structured—work that must be influenced from the very early stages. Strengthening a European perspective should be a shared priority for us. The trip also reinforced our sense of unity, and we had time for valuable discussions among our representatives.”
The visit included meetings with Member of the European Parliament Aura Salla at the European Parliament, with Lauri Hirvonen from Finland’s Permanent Representation to the EU, as well as with Members of the European Parliament Eero Heinäluoma and Li Andersson. The programme also featured a presentation by the European Family Businesses organisation, a meeting with Eszter Batta from DG GROW’s SME unit, and a meeting with Commissioner Henna Virkkunen.
Written by Tiina Tikander, Communications and Public Relations Manager at FBN Finland
Upcoming Event
EFB’s Fourth Next Generation Event
Join us in Brussels between 17-18 November, 2026 for our fourth Next Generation Event.
This year’s theme is “Brussels from the Inside. Beyond Succession: The Future of Family Businesses”.
We are pleased to announce that the programme will include a visit to the European Parliament, hosted by MEP Fernando Navarrete. The event will also include sessions with Rania Labaki, Full Professor of Management at EDHEC Business School and Director of the EDHEC Family Business Centre, Prof. Stefano Orioli, DBA candidate and Adjunct Professor at IE University, and Filippo Garrone, Corporate Finance Specialist at San Quirico S.p.A., who will share the story of his family business and its entrepreneurial legacy.
We look forward to welcoming NextGens from family businesses across Europe for two days of inspiring discussions, shared experiences, and valuable connections.
Registration will open soon, keep checking our events page for more information.