Which EU member state will be the largest credit beneficiary of the Safe program. Romania, in second place
A soldier passes by the Patriot anti-aircraft defense systems installed at the Ukraine military hub at Rzeszów-Jasionka, Poland. Photo: Sergei gap / AFP / Profimedia
The European Commission on Tuesday adopted the provisional allocation of a financial assistance worth 150 billion euros for 19 EU states through the SAFE program (“Security action for Europe”). Poland will receive the highest amount, 43.7 billion euros, followed by Romania, with 16.7 billion, notes Agerpres.
Romania receives the two largest amount in the EU through the Safe Defense Investment Program / What projects are on the list
“There has been a lot of skepticism over a possible low interest. Now we see the opposite. The interest from the Member States was a resounding success. Not just the Eastern Border Countries are interested,” said the European Commissioner for Defense, Andrius Kubilius, in a press conference.
- Hungary and France will receive 16.2 billion euros each, Italy 14.9 billion, Belgium 8.3 billion, Lithuania 6.4 billion, Portugal 5.8 billion and Latvia 5.7 billion.
- The Safe lending program will also be attended by Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Slovakia and Spain.
- Eight EU states have not submitted applications because they can borrow themselves at comparable or better interest rates, the Commission said.
The 19 states involved will prepare investment plans for spending these funds and presenting them by the end of November. The Commission will evaluate the plans and release the first installments in the first quarter of 2026, said Kubilius.
About the European Safe program
According to a statement from the EU executive, SAFE will provide long -term loans to help Member States to purchase the necessary emergency defense equipment.
Safe will also allow the EU to continue to support Ukraine by associating its defense industry from the beginning.
The program includes a 10 -year grace period for repayment of loans, competitive interest rates and options for bilateral agreements with third countries in order to expand eligibility.
