The European Commission announced Wednesday that it cannot impose a bloc-wide ban on LGBT+ conversion therapies but will urge member states to prohibit them [1].

This move highlights the legal limitations of the European Commission in regulating social and medical practices across different sovereign nations. While the Commission seeks to protect LGBT+ individuals from harmful practices, the lack of a centralized mandate means the actual implementation of bans remains at the discretion of individual national governments.

On May 13, 2026, officials in Brussels said that the Commission does not have the legal competence to enact a direct EU-wide prohibition [1]. Despite this restriction, the Commission condemned the practice of conversion therapy, which attempts to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity [1].

To address the issue, the Commission said it will draft a formal text recommending that all member states outlaw the practice [1]. This recommendation serves as a diplomatic and policy-driven push to standardize human rights protections across the union, though it carries no legal force to compel compliance.

The Commission's approach reflects a strategy of using soft power to influence national legislation. By issuing a formal recommendation, the EU aims to create a normative standard that encourages member states to align their laws with the Commission's stance on the protection of LGBT+ people [1].

Brussels remains the center of these policy discussions as the Commission attempts to navigate the complex legal landscape of the European Union. The goal is to ensure that the fundamental rights of LGBT+ citizens are upheld, even in the absence of a single, overarching European law on the matter [1].

“The European Commission says it lacks the legal power for a bloc-wide ban.”

This decision underscores the tension between the European Commission's policy goals and its actual legislative authority. Because the Commission cannot mandate a ban, the legal status of conversion therapy will continue to vary significantly across EU member states, leaving the protection of LGBT+ individuals dependent on national political will rather than a unified European standard.