The European data strategy aims to make the EU a leader in a data-driven society. Creating a single market for data will allow it to flow freely within the EU and across sectors for the benefit of businesses, researchers and public administrations. Access to data and the ability to use it are essential for innovation and growth. Data-driven innovation can bring major and concrete benefits, such aspersonalised medicineimproved mobilitybetter policymakingupgrading public services Page contentsPage contents Data governance The European Commission proposes a new European way of data governance to facilitate data sharing across sectors and Member States. It will create wealth for society, provide control to citizens and trust to companies.European Data Governance Act A single market for data The EU is creating a single market for data where data can flow within the EU and across sectors, for the benefit of all European rules, in particular privacy and data protection, as well as competition law, are fully respected the rules for access and use of data are fair, practical and clear The EU will become an attractive, secure and dynamic data economy by setting clear and fair rules on access and re-use of data investing in next generation tools and infrastructures to store and process data joining forces in European cloud capacity pooling European data in key sectors, with common and interoperable data spaces giving users rights, tools and skills to stay in full control of their data European Data Act With the European Data Act, which entered into force in January 2024, the Commission aims to make more data available for use via new rules on who can use and access data and for which purposes across all economic sectors in the EU. The new rules are expected to create €270 billion of additional GDP for EU Member States by 2028 by addressing the legal, economic and technical issues that lead to data being underused. Consumers and businesses generate data by using products and services. With the Data Act, they will benefit from: cheaper prices for aftermarket services and reparation of their connected objects new opportunities to use services relying on access to this data better access to data collected or produced by a device new safeguards against unlawful transfers of data reduced costs when moving data to a different cloud provider By having more information, consumers and users such as farmers, airlines or construction companies will be in a position to take better decisions such as buying higher quality or more sustainable products and services, thereby contributing for example to the Green Deal objectives. Examples of industrial and commercial data use Jet engines filled with thousands of sensors collect and transmit data back to ensure efficient operation. Wind farms use industrial data to reduce visual impact and optimise wind power. Real-time traffic avoidance navigation can save up to 730 million hours. This represents up to €20 billion in labour costs. Real-time notification of delayed trains can save 27 million working hours. This amounts to €740 million in labour costs. Better allocation of resources to fight malaria could save up to €5 billion in healthcare costs globally. Projected figures 2025 530%increase of global data volumefrom 33 zettabytes in 2018 to 175 zettabytes€829 billionvalue of data economy in the EU27from €301 billion (2.4% of EU GDP) in 201810.9 milliondata professionals in the EU27from 5.7 million in 201865%Percentage of EU population with basic digital skillsfrom 57% in 2018 Latest 28 February 2025The EU and India reinforce strategic ties24 February 2025Our vision for EU agriculture and food24 February 2025Our vision for EU agriculture and food11 February 2025Together for a better internetMore news Follow the latest progress and get involved.#DigitalEUOther social networks Documents 13 DECEMBER 2023Regulation on harmonised rules on fair access to and use of data (Data Act) 23 FEBRUARY 2022Factsheet: Data Act 23 FEBRUARY 2022Overview of the common European data spaces 19 FEBRUARY 2020Communication: A European strategy for data 19 FEBRUARY 2020Factsheet: the European data strategy 7 JULY 2020Data governance and data policies at the European Commission Related links Shaping Europe’s digital futureEU as the global leader in trustworthy AI
Access to data and the ability to use it are essential for innovation and growth. Data-driven innovation can bring major and concrete benefits, such aspersonalised medicineimproved mobilitybetter policymakingupgrading public services
The European Commission proposes a new European way of data governance to facilitate data sharing across sectors and Member States. It will create wealth for society, provide control to citizens and trust to companies.European Data Governance Act