BIDS FOR THE FUTURE SEAT OF EUCA ARE IN
The European Commission, Parliament and the Council of the EU have now entered the decisive phase of selecting the future seat of the European Union Customs Authority (EUCA), a key pillar of the EU Customs Reform package proposed in 2023. EUCA is expected to become the central engine of the modernised customs system, driving EU-level risk management and supporting closer cooperation between national administrations.
Following the Commission’s call for applications launched on 16 October 2025, nine Member States submitted bids to host the new Authority: Liège, Málaga, Lille, Zagreb, Rome, The Hague, Warsaw, Porto and Bucharest. The selection will be based on agreed criteria, including operational readiness, accessibility, strong educational and social infrastructure for families, and the ability to attract specialised staff. Geographical balance across the Union will also be taken into account.
Next steps will follow a tight timeline. The European Commission will publish its assessment of all nine bids, after which the Parliament and Council will negotiate and decide on the final location in March. Those interested in learning more about the individual bids can do so by visiting the European Commission’s website.