Commission proposes renaming European Heritage Label as European Heritage List

The European Commission proposed on Oct. 23, 2026, to renew and reinforce the legal framework of the European Heritage Label, including renaming it the European Heritage List, the Commission said.

The label, adopted in 2011, offers EU recognition to sites – buildings, monuments and documents – of exceptional symbolic value that have played a key role in shaping Europe’s history, culture and integration, according to the Commission. It said the label currently connects 80 sites spread across more than 300 locations in 23 member states.

Under the proposal, a prize would reward selected and monitored sites for their impact on the ground, and the new framework would make it easier for sites to take part and work together, give young people a stronger voice and bring clearer criteria and procedures to selection and monitoring, the Commission said. The list would also extend recognition to sites in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, as well as in candidate or potential candidate countries for EU membership associated with the Creative Europe program or its successors. The Commission said the proposal is also expected to contribute to the development of the regions where the sites are located, in particular through cultural tourism.

“Present and future generations deserve to engage with Europe’s shared heritage, history, and values,” said Glenn Micallef, the commissioner for intergenerational fairness, youth, culture and sport.

The proposal will now be negotiated by the European Parliament and the Council, according to the Commission.