Page contents Page contents Background The European Commission presented on 17 May 2023 a package of legislative proposals on the EU Customs Reform. The aim is to simplify the overall functioning of customs in the EU and to adapt to the changing landscape of international trade. The proposal includes the creation of the future EU Customs Authority (EUCA), which will act as the engine of the new system. The European Parliament and the Council have started legislative negotiations on this package, including the proposal for a Regulation establishing the Union Customs Code and EUCA. The location of the seat of EUCA will be determined by the co-legislators and based on a transparent application process to be concluded before the end of the legislative procedure. The co-legislators have agreed on the criteria for selecting the location.On 16 October 2025, at the request of the co-legislators, the Commission has launched a call for applications to Member States. Criteria for the selection of EUCA’s seatWhen selecting the location, the co-legislators have agreed that they will ensure that, given the nature of EUCA, the location enables the Authority to fully execute its tasks and powers, to recruit highly qualified and specialised staff and to offer adequate training opportunities. The date on which EUCA can become operational on site after the entry into force of the Regulation;Accessibility of the location;Existence of adequate education facilities for the children of EUCA’s staff;Appropriate access to the labour market, social security and medical care for both children and spouses.Another element to take into consideration in the selection is geographical balance.Call for applications to host EUCAThe call for applications was sent to Member States on 16 October 2025. The deadline for Member States to submit their applications is 27 November 2025 at 18:00. Member State applicationsWithin the deadline of 27 November 2025 at 18:00, nine Member States submitted applications to host EUCA.Belgium – LiègeApplicationSpain – Málaga ApplicationAdditional documentsFrance – Lille ApplicationAdditional documentsCroatia – ZagrebApplicationItaly – RomeApplicationAdditional documentsNetherlands – The Hague ApplicationPoland – WarsawApplicationPortugal – PortoApplicationAdditional documentsRomania – BucharestApplicationCommission assessmentThe Commission will provide assessments of the nine applications to host EUCA. The Commission assessment note, the assessments of all nine applications and the assessment summary will be published on this website. Documents 16 OCTOBER 2025EUCA call letter 16 OCTOBER 2025EUCA Call for applications
