The European Parliament’s Academic Freedom Monitor 2025 , published in February 2026, offers a snapshot of the state of play of academic freedom across the EU. Encompassing the freedom to research, teach, study, and express academic views, academic freedom is both a core principle underpinning higher education and research systems and a vital safeguard for democratic governance. 

The latest findings show that while academic freedom in the EU remains relatively strong, it is facing growing and more complex pressures. One of the key messages of the report is that academic freedom in the EU is gradually eroding: rather than dramatic declines, the trend is characterised by more subtle and cumulative changes, including pressures on institutional autonomy and campus environments.  

While systemic restrictions remain largely limited to a small number of countries, various forms of pressure are now observable across most Member States. Four key dynamics are shaping this landscape: 

• political polarisation is increasingly affecting academia, sometimes leading to internal divisions and self-censorship; 
• global spillovers, particularly from developments in the United States, are influencing research agendas and funding conditions beyond Europe; 
• the commercialisation of academia introduces both opportunities and risks, as closer links with the private sector may affect research priorities; and 
• foreign interference is emerging as a significant concern, raising questions about research security and international partnerships.  

The study also points to the need for more strategic European responses. Proposed policy options include (a) stronger monitoring and coordination, (b) better integration of academic freedom into EU programmes, as well as (c) targeted measures to address emerging risks.