Where the EU–India trade deal stands
After nearly two decades of on-and-off talks, the EU and India concluded a free trade agreement on 27 January 2026. This is where things stand.
Where it stands
- 27 January 2026: negotiations concluded.
- 11 September 2026: the European Commission sent its proposals for signature and conclusion to EU governments.
- By the end of 2026: signature expected.
- After that: European Parliament consent and ratification in India, then entry into force.
For the full picture, see our EU–India trade agreement guide.
The headline numbers
Summaries published at conclusion show the EU eliminating tariffs on more than 90% of its tariff lines and India on about 86% of its lines, covering more than 90% of trade by value on each side, with phased cuts and quotas for sensitive products.
For India, labour-intensive exports such as textiles, leather, footwear, tea, coffee, spices and gems and jewellery gain immediate duty-free access to the EU. For the EU, some of the largest gains come from very high Indian tariffs falling: cars (from up to 110% to 10% within a quota), wine (from 150% to 20–30%), and machinery, chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
Beyond tariffs
The agreement also covers services, a regime for temporary entry of Indian professionals serving EU clients, intellectual property, customs facilitation and sustainable development. The EU did not agree to change its carbon border mechanism (CBAM), which continues to apply to steel, aluminium and other covered goods.
Why this matters
With around €192 billion of trade in goods and services in 2025, the EU is one of India's largest trading partners. Lower tariffs will make some Indian goods more competitive in Europe and many European goods more affordable in India, and should bring more European investment into India.
What to do now
- Exporters: map products, tariffs and rules of origin
- Investors: revisit India or Europe plans that were marginal at current tariffs
- Professionals: watch the services and mobility provisions once published
Read next
- The trade deal, for Indian exportersWhat gets cheaper to sell in Europe, and when.
- The trade deal, for European exportersIndian tariffs on cars, wine and machinery are coming down.
- The India–EFTA trade agreement after its first yearIndia's trade agreement with Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein turned one on 1 October 2026. What it promised and what to watch.
