Overview
- An analysis by LobbyControl and Corporate Europe Observatory published June 11 found the 173 largest companies and associations now declare about €382 million a year for lobbying at EU institutions, a roughly 50% rise since 2020 and an increase of €27 million (about 7%) since 2024.
- Tech firms are the single largest group in the tally with at least €73 million, followed by energy companies at about €52 million and chemical companies and industry associations at about €46.5 million.
- The totals are drawn from the EU Transparency Register and use the lower end of declared spending ranges; the NGOs note the figures are self‑reported, not adjusted for inflation, and may understate activity routed through intermediaries or undisclosed channels.
- Campaigners quoted in the reports say the scale of spending is a democratic red flag, arguing major firms have stepped up efforts to influence or delay laws on digital rules and other regulatory plans in Brussels.
- LobbyControl and Corporate Europe Observatory call for tighter control of the Transparency Register so spending is clearer, a move that could affect how policymakers, consumer groups and citizens weigh industry input during current EU rulemaking.