A strategic milestone: EU-Australia Free Trade Agreement finalised
Posted on 07.04.2026
The EU and Australia recently concluded negotiations on the EU-Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in March 2026, bringing to a close almost nine years of negotiations. The agreement will eliminate over 99% of tariffs on EU exports to Australia, enhance access to critical raw materials, and strengthen the EU’s strategic ties with the Indo-Pacific region. The EU and Australia also signed a Security and Defense Partnership.
Despite the absence of a dedicated medical technology chapter, it does contain several chapters of wider interest for the sector, including:
- Rules of origin and origin procedures
- Customs and trade facilitation
- Mutual administrative assistance in customs matters
- Technical barriers to trade
- Trade remedies
- Intellectual Property
- Public Procurement
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
- Good Regulatory Practices
Next steps include the publication of the negotiated draft texts, followed by legal revision and linguistic finalisation. Once this is completed, the agreement will be submitted to the Council of the EU and the Australian Government for signature and adoption. The European Parliament will also be asked to approve the deal. After Australia completes its own ratification procedures, the agreement will enter into force.
For more information, please contact Alice Bova, Senior Officer International Affairs