New Report Maps Progress on Open Access Across Europe

The European Commission has published a new independent expert report on open access policies, providing an overview of progress across the European Research Area (ERA) and identifying areas where further coordination and action are needed.

Drawing on an analysis of all 27 EU Member States and eight non-EU countries, the report finds that open access has advanced considerably over the past decade, supported by national strategies, funder requirements, institutional initiatives and, in some countries, legislation. However, implementation remains fragmented, with significant differences in copyright mechanisms, embargo periods, repository requirements, funding approaches and monitoring systems.

The study highlights several factors that can support successful implementation. Combining legislation, funder mandates and institutional support tends to result in more consistent uptake, while policies linked to research assessment can encourage behavioural change. At the same time, effective implementation requires practical support structures, including repository services, clear deposit procedures and compliance monitoring.

Persistent challenges include rising Article Processing Charges (APCs), legal and administrative uncertainty, uneven application of FAIR principles, and research assessment systems that are not always aligned with open access objectives. These differences can create additional complexity, particularly for researchers involved in cross-border collaborations.

To address these challenges, the report recommends stronger coordination at both national and EU levels. Proposed measures include moving towards immediate open access for publicly funded research, strengthening Data Management Plans, supporting trusted repositories and sustainable funding models, improving monitoring, and further aligning open access with research assessment systems.

At European level, the report calls for stronger coordination and monitoring across the ERA and highlights the potential role of the forthcoming ERA Act in supporting a more coherent approach. Overall, the findings underline that achieving widespread and sustainable open access will require a combination of appropriate policies, incentives, infrastructure and institutional support across Europe.

Read the full expert report: Open access policies in EU Member States and beyond