EU Tax Symposium 2026

The future of taxation: inequality and growth in the global economy

Co-organised by the European Parliament and the European Commission, the EU Tax Symposium has become an unmissable moment for decision makers and experts in taxation policy. In 2026 the fourth edition returns to a 1-5-day format under the headline “The future of taxation: inequality and growth in the global economy”.

The programme will include ministers, senior policymakers, academics and Nobel Prize winners.

Keynotes and panels will explore the link between tax, prosperity and fairness. How can taxation boost competitiveness and unlock economic potential? What does fairness look like in a changing world?

We will release more details soon. Register today to reserve your place!

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Programme

Day 1 - Monday 16 March 2026

Autoworld, Parc du Cinquantenaire 11, 1000 Brussels

13.15 – 14.00
Check-in and coffee
 14.00 – 15.00
PLENARY SESSION
Welcome and introductory remarks
 15.00 – 16.15
PARALLEL SESSIONS
Simplifying taxation to support innovation, growth, and compliance
Session 1
How can taxation support growth and innovation?
Session 2
Simplifying EU tax systems to reduce compliance burdens while safeguarding revenues
 16.15 – 16.45
Coffee break
 16.45 – 18.00
PARALLEL SESSIONS
Fair, efficient, and competitive taxation: managing expenditures and closing gaps
Session 1
Controlling the growth of tax expenditures while preserving competitiveness and fairness
Session 2
Closing the tax gap to enhance revenue collection towards greater competitiveness
18.00 – 18.15
PLENARY SESSION
Conclusions

DAY 2 - Tuesday 17 March 2026

Hemicycle, European Parliament, Brussels

8.00 – 9.00
Check-in and breakfast
9.00 – 9.30
Welcome and introductory remarks
- Katarina Barley MEP, Vice-President in charge of National Parliaments
- Pasquale Tridico MEP, Chair of the Subcommittee on Tax Matters
- Gerassimos Thomas, Director-General of DG TAXUD, European Commission
9.30 – 10.00
Keynote speeches
- Wopke Hoekstra, EU Commissioner, European Commission
- Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union
- Mathias Cormann, Secretary-General, OECD
10.00 – 10.55
PANEL 1
The EU at a crossroads between international tax cooperation and strategic autonomy in taxing digital activities
10.55 - 11.25
Coffee break
11.25 - 12.20
PANEL 2
From Pillar Two to a side-by-side approach: what future lies ahead after the G7/G20 agreement?
12.20 – 13.50
Lunch break
13.50 – 15.00
NOBEL PRIZE CONVERSATION
The future of taxation: global fairness and growth in a new economic era
- Joseph Stiglitz, 2001 Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel; Co-Chair, Independent Commission for the Reform of International Corporate Taxation (ICRICT)
- Philippe Aghion, 2025 Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel; Collège de France, Paris, France; INSEAD, Paris, France; London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom
15.00 – 15.30
Coffee break
15.30 – 16.30
PANEL 3
Tax measures to fight the housing crisis
16.30 – 17.25
PANEL 4
How taxation can boost the savings and investments union?
17.25 – 17.45
Conclusions
- Pasquale Tridico MEP, Chair of the Subcommittee on Tax Matters
- Gerassimos Thomas, Director-General of DG TAXUD, European Commission
17:45 – 19.00
Networking cocktail

Download the programme in PDF format.

15 JANUARY 2026

EU Tax Symposium 2026 - Draft programme

Practical information

Venue

Day 1

Autoworld, Parc du Cinquantenaire 11, 1000 Brussels

Day 2

Hemicycle of the European Parliament, 1000 Brussels

Livestream

All sessions will also be livestreamed. Register for the event to receive a reminder and links to watch the discussions.

Register

Language

Day 1 : English

Day 2: English with interpretation into 23 EU languages. 