Commitments are promises to spend what the EU can do in a given financial year, and payments are real transfers of money.
EP President Roberta Metsola emphasized on Platform X that the EU budget for 2026 is a financial plan that responds to citizens' concerns and strengthens the Community's key priorities. “In times of global instability, Europe must remain competitive, resilient and secure,” she said.
Budget larger than expected
She also thanked the negotiating teams, including the chairman of the EP budget committee, Johan Van Overtveldt (ECR), and the rapporteurs, MEPs Andrzej Halicki (EPP) and Matjaz Nemec (S&D), for reaching an agreement on time.
Budget Commissioner Piotr Serafin emphasized in the European Commission's communication that the agreement ensures the predictability of the EU budget and will support the Union's common political priorities. “This budget process has shown that by working together we can achieve more and in a more cost-effective way. We have invested more in external security, defense, innovation, but also in programs that directly benefit our citizens, students and farmers,” he emphasized.
As part of the agreement, EUR 1.3 billion was restored, which the member states had previously cut in relation to the European Commission's project. The Parliament also negotiated an additional EUR 372.7 million above the EC's original proposal.
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What else is there money for?
The agreement provides for additional funds, including: for the Horizon Europe research program, development of transport and energy networks, civil protection and agriculture.
In the area of research and infrastructure of the European Parliament, it was established, among others: €20 million more for the Horizon Europe science funding program and €23.5 million for cross-border transport and energy networks. Education funding has also been increased, the Erasmus+ program will increase by EUR 3 million.
In the agricultural and environmental sector, LIFE (the program supporting action for the environment and climate) will receive an additional EUR 10 million, and EU4Health (the health program) will receive another EUR 3 million.
An additional EUR 105 million has been allocated for the promotion of agricultural products under the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund, which, as the EP emphasizes, is intended to support especially young farmers. During the talks, an additional EUR 10 million was also negotiated for the Civil Protection Mechanism, which helps in the fight against natural disasters.
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More for the army and borders
Financing for military mobility and strengthening the management of external borders was also increased by EUR 10 million. EU humanitarian aid will increase by EUR 35 million, to respond to growing humanitarian crises and the impacts of climate change. Funds to support the EU's southern neighborhood were also increased – by EUR 35 million and for the eastern neighborhood – by EUR 25 million.
The European Parliament also announced that the EU will face EUR 4.2 billion higher debt servicing costs related to the Recovery Fund (NextGenerationEU program) in 2026, which is twice as much as the Commission predicted.
