What types of sanctions are in place

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What types of sanctions are in place

On this page you can find information about the different kinds of EU sanctions' regimes.

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Most sanctions adopted by the EU are targeted at individuals and entities, and consist of assets freezes, travel bans and the prohibition to make funds and economic resources available to listed entities or individuals. The freezing of funds and economic resources includes assets owned or controlled by targeted individuals or organisations (such as cash, bank deposits, stocks, shares, etc.) which may not be accessed, moved or sold, and real estate which may not be sold or rented. Visa or travel bans prevent individuals from entering the territory of the EU.

Sectoral sanctions

The EU can also adopt targeted sectoral sanctions, such as economic and financial measures (e.g. import and export restrictions of goods and technologies, restrictions on banking services) or arms embargoes to prohibit exporting weapons and other goods that could be used in conflicts or for internal repression.

Following Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine since February 2022, the EU has adopted far-reaching sanctions packages including targeted individual sanctions (assets freeze and visa ban measures), as well as unprecedented sectoral economic sanctions. The scope of the sectoral sanctions covers sectors such as trade, energy, transport, finance and media.

EU sanctions regimes in place

The EU has close to 50 sanctions regimes in place, and almost 5,000 individuals and entities worldwide are subject to EU sanctions. Geographical sanctions regimes address the specific situation of third countries and currently apply to over 40 countries. Examples of autonomous geographic regimes include sanctions to address the situation in Russia/Ukraine, Venezuela, Iran or Syria.

The EU also adopts sanctions regimes with a thematic focus. These regimes allow the EU to sanctions individuals and entities involved in the proliferation of chemical weapons, cyber-attacks, human rights violations or terrorism.Legality and transparency

It is a fundamental principle of EU sanctions that, where persons and entities are targeted by these measures, their fundamental rights must be respected. This includes the due process rights of the listed persons and entities, in accordance with the case-law of the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Council Decisions are based on the rule of law. Once a person has been listed, she is informed by the EU of her listing. She has the right to make representations to the Council and request the Council to de-list her. Any listed person has the right to bring a legal challenge and contest the listing in front of the European courts. The contents of these representations and legal cases are confidential.

EU sanctions regimes are regularly reviewed and, if necessary, amended. The Council reassesses the circumstances pertaining to each listed person and determines whether changes to the legal acts should be made.

For further information follow the links below:

• The full list of EU sanctions regimes can be consulted at the EU's sanctions map,
• An overview of sanctioned entities and individuals can be found at the EU Sanctions Tracker.
• The consolidated list of persons, groups and entities subject to EU financial sanctions can be downloaded from the Financial Sanctions Database.