Syria: EU Council extends sanctions against the former regime until 1 June 2027

Brussels – The Council of the European Union decided today (18 May) to extend the EU’s restrictive measures against individuals and entities linked to the former al-Assad regime in Syria until 1 June 2027. The decision follows the Council’s annual review of the sanctions regime, during which it also decided to remove seven entities from the sanctions list, including the Ministries of Defence and the Interior. “This will support the strengthening of the EU’s engagement with Syria,” the Council said.

In May 2025, all economic sanctions against Syria were lifted with the aim of supporting the country’s “peaceful and inclusive transition, socio-economic recovery, and reconstruction.” However, at the same time, the EU maintained targeted restrictive measures against individuals and entities linked to the former al-Assad regime, as well as sanctions based on security grounds. “The EU considers that networks linked to the former al-Assad regime continue to retain influence and pose a risk of undermining the transition process and hindering efforts towards national reconciliation and accountability,” the Council said. Those designated are subject to an asset freeze, and EU citizens and companies are prohibited from making funds available to them. Individuals are also subject to a travel ban that prevents them from entering or transiting through EU member states.

The EU first introduced restrictive measures in response to the situation in Syria in 2011, following the violent repression of the civilian population by the al-Assad regime. Following the fall of that regime, the Council first eased a series of restrictive measures (on 24 February 2025) and then reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Syrian people and a peaceful and inclusive transition (20 May 2025), announcing the political decision to lift all economic sanctions (with the exception of those based on security grounds). Finally, on 11 May 2026, it restored the full application of the EU-Syria Cooperation Agreement, which had been partially suspended in 2011.