This is the last budget implemented under the current EU financial perspective covering the years 2021–2027.
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The proposal provides for increased support for key Community priorities, including security, defense and assistance to Ukraine.
As the Commission emphasizes, the project aims to encourage Member States to invest in areas considered strategic for the future of the Union. This includes: about strengthening the competitiveness of the economy, defense development, housing construction, water security and energy transformation. For this purpose, a higher level of EU co-financing for selected projects is possible.
Over one billion euros of support for Ukraine
One of the most important elements of the project is further assistance for Ukraine. The European Commission proposes to allocate EUR 1 billion 150 million for a loan for this country.
The support is intended to be part of broader EU actions to maintain the economic and financial stability of Ukraine, which has been struggling with the effects of Russian aggression for over four years.
Spending on security and defense is growing
The draft budget also reflects the European Union's increasing involvement in security and defense issues. The Commission proposes to allocate a total of EUR 3.07 billion for this purpose.
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The funds are to be used, among others, to finance research in the defense sector, develop the European arms industry, improve military mobility and strengthen the strategic resilience of member states.
Cohesion and agriculture continue to be the biggest items
Traditionally, the largest part of the budget will be consumed by cohesion policy. EUR 75.76 billion has been allocated for this purpose. These funds are intended to support the development of regions and reduce economic differences between individual parts of the Union.
Significant funding will also go to natural resources and environmental policies. The Commission proposes to allocate EUR 57.24 billion to this area, of which EUR 40.56 billion are to be direct payments to farmers.
According to the EC, support for agriculture remains crucial both from the point of view of the EU's food security and further development of rural areas.
Innovation, digitalization and migration
The European Commission wants to allocate EUR 21.9 billion for activities related to the single market, innovation and digital transformation. The funds are intended to support the development of new technologies and increase the competitiveness of the European economy.
In the area of migration and border management, EUR 5.79 billion has been allocated. Part of the funds is to be allocated to the implementation of the Asylum and Migration Pact, including increasing financing for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) and the Border Management and Visa Policy Support Instrument.
The project presented by the Commission is not yet final. For the budget to enter into force, it must be formally approved by the European Parliament and the EU Council before the end of 2026. In the coming months, the proposal will be the subject of negotiations between member states and EU institutions.
