In February 2025, independent watchdogs Corporate Europe Observatory and LobbyControl released a report on the current state of lobbying activity within European Union institutions. According to their findings, overall corporate spending on GR in Brussels increased by 13% over the past year, and by nearly 30% compared to 2020.
These figures highlight not only growing business interest in influencing regulatory processes but also signal a more competitive environment for political attention within EU institutions.
Who Are the Top Players?
The top five sectors leading in lobbying expenditures in the EU consistently include:
- Technology corporations (Google, Meta, Apple);
- Financial institutions (Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank);
- Energy giants (Shell, TotalEnergies, ExxonMobil).
Each of these companies spends between €3 million and €8 million annually on lobbying in the EU, covering everything from policy analysis to advocacy campaigns and GR consulting.
Why This Matters for Ukraine
- The EU GR landscape is becoming more structured and resource-intensive. Businesses must learn how to engage transparently and effectively in regulatory processes.
- Ukrainian companies aiming to enter EU markets need to focus not only on product quality or compliance but also on building strong relationships with regulators and stakeholders.
- The GR models used by Western corporations can be adapted to Ukraine’s context in both B2G work and international cooperation.
📊 According to the EU Transparency Register, over 12,000 organizations are currently registered as active lobbying entities in Brussels.
