European Commission proposes review of the European Heritage Label Legal Framework

Why is the European Heritage Label legal framework being reviewed?

Established in 2011, the European Heritage Label recognises sites that have played a significant role in European history, culture and integration, highlighting the values and shared heritage that connect Europeans.

The revision of the legal framework is a commitment under the Culture Compass for Europe. Fifteen years after the action began the framework needs to reflect the growth and change that has taken place since the adoption of the initiative (Decision 2011/1194/EU). 

The proposed revision will update and strengthen the current framework, address implementation challenges and better align the action with evolving EU priorities in culture and heritage.

“Present and future generations deserve to engage with Europe’s shared heritage, history, and values. These sites reflect our common long journey of European integration, as well as the challenges we overcame along the way. The European Heritage List will build on the action’s original vision, while strengthening its network and establishing a new trusted mark of high-quality and excellence. These changes will raise the action’s profile and create new cultural experiences for all generations.”

Glenn Micallef, Commissioner for intergenerational fairness, youth, culture and sport

What will change?

The European Commission has proposed several changes, which will now be considered by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU:

• A new name: European Heritage List: The initiative will become the European Heritage List (EHL), with selected sites receiving European Heritage status. All existing EHL Sites will automatically retain their recognition under the new framework.

• A wider European network: Participation will expand beyond EU Member States to eligible EFTA/EEA countries, candidate countries and potential candidates for EU membership associated with Creative Europe or subsequent EU programmes supporting culture.

• A new prize for selected sites: The revised framework will introduce the possibility of awarding a prize to selected and monitored sites, following a recommendation from the European expert panel.

• A simpler application and selection process: Participating countries will be able to nominate up to three sites every two years. The expert panel will introduce a pre-selection stage based on European significance, with a maximum of 15 sites selected per cycle, including no more than two outside the EU.

• More flexibility for thematic and transnational sites: Existing thematic and transnational sites will be able to integrate additional sub-sites after nomination.

• Simplified monitoring: Instead of assessing all sites every four years, the expert panel will monitor sites in selected countries every two years, following a rotating schedule.

• A stronger European dimension: The criteria relating to each site’s European significance will be reinforced and clarified. Sites will also be expected to display the EHL logo more prominently on their premises.

• Changes to the European expert panel: The expert panel will bring together representatives from all EU institutions, with a more transparent nomination process that also allows nominations from the Youth Cultural Ambassadors Network, a flagship initiative of the Culture Compass for Europe, and the European Economic and Social Committee.

What will remain unchanged?

Despite the proposed revisions, the fundamental purpose and overall structure of the European Heritage Label will remain unchanged.

The initiative will continue to be coordinated by the European Commission and national coordinators, with support from an organisation dedicated to promoting Europe’s cultural heritage.

The quality of selected sites and their heritage practices will remain central to the initiative, with an independent panel of experts continuing to play a key role in selection and monitoring.

Above all, the EHL will maintain its mission: connecting people with Europe’s shared history, strengthening awareness of European values and highlighting the significance of cultural heritage in shaping Europe today.

What happens next?

The proposed revision will now be considered by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU as part of the legislative process.
The changes are not yet adopted and the existing framework remains in place.

Read the European Commission’s full announcement to explore the proposal in detail.