Clearer rules for third country lobbying in the EU

MEPs strengthened the Commission's original text, focusing mainly on clear definitions and protection of civil society organisations. The purpose of the new directive is to set uniform rules for activities that are intended to influence EU decision-making on behalf of third countries for a fee - from commenting on legislation to communication campaigns or proposing changes to laws.

The scope includes, for example, policy consultations, participation in conferences, communication via influencers, drafting analyses or organising campaigns. On the other hand, activities that are not lobbying in nature are explicitly excluded: diplomatic activities, media, academic research or ordinary legal services. Parliament stresses that funding NGOs with grants from third countries must not automatically be regarded as lobbying.

The directive will introduce mandatory national registers, which will be linked via a central European portal. Entities will have their own European identification number (EIRN) valid throughout the EU. The aim is to strengthen oversight and public confidence - but without registration itself being a "sticker of suspicion".

MEPs stress that, unlike some foreign "foreign agent laws", the new rule must not lead to stigma, penalisation or silencing of civil society. The law is intended to protect democracy, not to prevent it from functioning.