What is the structure of the Commissions proposal for the 2028-2034 EU budget?
The long-term EU budget, also known as the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), represents the financial capacity of the Union to fulfill its political priorities.
The Commission proposes a seven-year MFF from 2028 to 2034, structured around main categories of expenditures with set maximum amounts. The proposal includes four main headings, plus a flexibility instrument and a Ukraine Reserve for additional funds. These components are detailed in the regulation establishing the MFF. The headings of the proposed MFF correspond to the major areas of activity funded by the EU budget, specifically focusing on economic, social, and territorial cohesion, agriculture, maritime prosperity and security; competitiveness, and global engagement.
- Heading 1: focuses on the National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPP) aimed at promoting cohesion, sustainable development, and competitiveness of the Union, including agricultural support. This amounts to EUR 1 trillion.
- Heading 2: includes the European Competitiveness Fund and Horizon Europe, with programs supporting cross-border connectivity and crisis preparedness. This amounts to EUR 589.6 billion.
- Heading 3: covers Global Europe, with a budget of EUR 215.2 billion.
- Heading 4: addresses expenditures for European public administration, maintaining a stable share of 6% of the MFF.
Additionally, the flexibility instrument will enable the Union to respond to emerging needs with resources exceeding the established ceilings.
What are the main elements of the proposal?
The Commission is presenting proposals for:
- A regulation establishing the Multiannual Financial Framework,
- An interinstitutional agreement on budgetary matters,
- An own resources decision,
- And a regulation on the performance, monitoring, and evaluation of the EU budget.
This package constitutes a strong foundation for negotiations with the European Parliament and the Council.
How will flexibility be ensured in the next MFF?
The next MFF will provide significant flexibility within the EU budget while ensuring predictability for beneficiaries. It will be easier to redirect funding to where it is most needed, with a substantial share of the MFF left unprogrammed to address emerging requirements swiftly.
What are the costs for the repayment of NextGenerationEU?
The repayment of EU borrowing for NextGenerationEU will commence in 2028 and extend until 2058, with a fixed annual amount of EUR 24 billion.
What does the new MFF mean for Member States?
The MFF finances our shared priorities and delivers added value for all Europeans. Nearly 48% of the budget directly supports Member States in agriculture, cohesion, and maritime policies.
How does the MFF support economic, social, and territorial cohesion?
The new long-term budget will integrate EU funds under a coherent strategy, placing cohesion and agricultural policy at its core. The National and Regional Partnership Plans will maximize the impact of every euro spent.
How will the MFF be financed?
The own resources will serve as the primary revenue source for the EU budget. The Commission proposes an enhanced package of own resources, including five new resources expected to be introduced from January 1, 2028.
What are the National and Regional Partnership Plans?
The National and Regional Partnership Plans will enable Member States to propose key investments and reforms supported by EU funds, facilitating faster and more tailored delivery of EU support.
What advantages do they bring?
- Simplifying the current framework;
- Aligning EU support with national and regional challenges;
- Improving synergies between policies;
- Ensuring faster and better value for money;
- Providing more flexibility and adaptability;
What is the role of regions in the National and Regional Partnership Plans?
Regions will play a central role in the design and implementation of measures, with flexibility to adapt their plans to specific needs.
How will the new MFF simplify access to EU funding opportunities?
The Commission proposes reducing the number of programs from about 52 to 16, with harmonized rules and a single access portal for all funding opportunities.
How will the Multiannual Financial Framework support cross-border infrastructure?
The new Connecting Europe Facility, with a budget of EUR 81.4 billion, will finance the completion of Trans-European Networks.
What is the EU Facility?
This will complement the National and Regional Partnership Plans with EU-level funding for high-value projects.
How will the new MFF invest in people?
The National and Regional Partnership Plans will have a social target of 14%, focusing on promoting equal opportunities and social inclusion.
How will the new MFF crowd in private sector funding?
To achieve EU policy goals, the EU budget must be strategically used to attract private investments.
How will the new MFF support competitiveness?
The MFF will promote competitiveness by facilitating investments focused on research and innovation.
How will defense and security be supported in the next MFF?
The new MFF will provide financial backing for the European Defense Union, with significant funding for the defense industry.
What is Global Europe? What are its advantages?
Global Europe will simplify and better target EU external action financing through geographic structuring.
How will the next MFF support enlargement? What about Ukraine in particular?
Global Europe will provide coherent support packages for candidate countries, with a strong focus on Ukraine.
Will the Commission attach conditionalities to the use of EU funding in its external action?
EU funding for external action cannot be subject to the same conditions as EU funds spent within the Union.
How will the Green Deal objectives be delivered in the next MFF?
The green transition will be central to the new EU budget, with a climate and environment target of 35%.
How will the rule of law be protected under the future MFF? And respect of fundamental rights?
The National and Regional Partnership Plans will provide additional safeguards for compliance with rule of law principles.
Will the Commission continue to support civil society organizations?
Support for civil society organizations will remain strong, with efforts to simplify access and reduce administrative burdens.
How will migration be addressed and will there be new areas of support in the next MFF?
The National and Regional Partnership Plans will ensure a common approach to migration, fostering cooperation among Member States.
How will the Common Agricultural Policy be supported in the next MFF?
The National and Regional Partnership Plans will preserve the role of farmers and rural areas in the next EU budget, focusing on simplification and income support.
For more information
Press release - An ambitious budget for a stronger Europe: 2028-2034