EU long-term budget: MEPs call for a 10% increase to support the EU’s priorities

The EU budget for the period 2028–2034 (the multiannual financial framework – MFF) should be set at 1.27% of the EU’s gross national income (GNI), with the debt servicing of the NextGenerationEU recovery fund (0.11% of GNI) outside the budgetary limits, according to the draft report adopted by the Committee on Budgets with 26 votes in favour, 9 against and 5 abstentions. This represents a 10% increase on theCommission’s July 2025 proposal, and MEPs propose distributing this additional funding evenly across the three budget headings that finance the EU’s priorities, whilst ensuring the budget is protected from inflationary shocks.

MEPs state that this is the minimum amount of money the EU needs to fulfil its commitments, meet citizens’ expectations and tackle major challenges, such as large-scale armed conflicts in Europe, economic and social challenges, the competitiveness gap and the worsening climate and biodiversity crises. They stress that the EU’s next long-term budget must remain an investment budget that supports EU policies, citizens, regions, businesses and SMEs, whilst ensuring the EU’s added value compared to national spending.

Whilst the report does not alter the structure of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) proposed by the Commission, MEPs strongly oppose the renationalisation of the EU budget, rejecting an ‘à la carte’ EU and warning that the Commission’s ‘one plan per Member State’ approach could undermine EU policies, reduce transparency and create competition among beneficiaries.

Differentiated and increased funding for key programmes

MEPs call for robust and adequately funded policies, with specific allocations for the policies set out in the National and Regional Partnership Plans, including the Common Agricultural Policy and Fisheries Policy (including the outermost regions), Cohesion Policy, the European Social Fund and Home Affairs. They also stress that regional and local authorities must be fully involved in the planning and implementation of programmes.

MEPs welcome the Commission’s proposal to double funding to strengthen the EU’s competitiveness, its defence capabilities, innovation, the digital and green transitions, infrastructure, health, education and culture. They call for greater support for key programmes such as the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF), Horizon Europe, the Connecting Europe Facility, Erasmus, AgoraEU and the Civil Protection Mechanism, as well as specific funding for EU4Health actions and LIFE-related actions under the ECF.

Whilst supporting the increase in resources for external action, MEPs state that the proposed amount remains insufficient and call for greater funding for enlargement, development, support for Ukraine, multilateral cooperation and humanitarian aid.

Transparency and accountability are at risk.

MEPs warn of the risk of shifting key political decisions to the Commission’s work programmes without Parliament’s involvement, emphasising that simplification must not undermine transparency, accountability or democratic oversight. They also express concern over widespread funding not linked to costs, which could hinder proper auditing. Whilst acknowledging the need for flexibility, they warn that flexibility without transparency could undermine public trust in the EU. The report also stresses that respect for EU values and the rule of law is an essential requirement for accessing EU funds, whilst avoiding penalising final beneficiaries for rule-of-law breaches committed by their governments.

Revenue side

MEPs reaffirm Parliament’s firm commitment to introducing new own resources to repay NextGenerationEU debt and finance the EU budget. They support the Commission’s approach, known as the ‘basket method’, for the new revenue sources and stress that these must be adopted alongside the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and generate around €60 billion annually. MEPs urge Member States to reach an agreement on these new revenue sources swiftly and stress that, if certain proposals are ruled out, alternative options must be introduced. These potential alternatives include a digital services tax, a tax on online gambling, an extension of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) or a tax on capital gains from crypto-assets.

Proposed revenue sources(at current prices, the list is not exhaustive):

• Total size of the MFF: €197.3 billion
• Common Agricultural Policy (CAP): €139.31 billion
• Structural and Cohesion Funds: €78.87 billion
• European Social Fund (ESF): €124.19 billion
• Asylum and migration policies, border management and security: €3.82 billion
• European Competitiveness Fund (ECF): €30.05 billion
• Horizon Europe: €25.00 billion
• Connecting Europe Facility (CEF): €9.86 billion
• EU Civil Protection and Health Preparedness Mechanism (UCPM): €1.74 billion
• Erasmus: €6.56 billion
• NowEU: €2.14 billion
• Global Programme for Europe: €24.06 billion

Quotes

‘We propose a European budget that is sufficient and predictable for beneficiaries, which addresses the shortcomings of the Commission’s initial proposal. Through a moderate 10% increase, we ensure adequate resources for new priorities such as defence and competitiveness, whilst preserving key policies such as agriculture and cohesion. We call for strengthened and targeted funding for farmers and regions, categorically rejecting any attempt to merge or dilute these fundamental priorities. At the same time, the debt incurred by NextGenerationEU must be repaid within budgetary limits, and not at the expense of farmers, SMEs, researchers or Erasmus students,’ statedSiegfried Mureșan (EPP, RO), co-rapporteur.

“The Common Agricultural Policy, the Cohesion Funds, the European Social Fund: these are not relics of the past. They are the backbone of European solidarity. New challenges cannot erase existing responsibilities. We want a budget that works for the regions, the beneficiaries and the people. Horizon Europe, Erasmus, civil protection: these programmes not only meet current needs but shape the future of Europe. But ambition without resources is empty. We need new and genuine own resources to finance Europe’s increased responsibilities,” saidCarla Tavares (S&D, PT), co-rapporteur.

Next steps

Once ratified by the plenary (vote scheduled for 29 April), Parliament will be ready to begin negotiations with the Council on the regulation setting out the structure and main figures of the 2028–2034 budget. Talks can begin once the Council reaches a consensus. As the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) regulation requires Parliament’s approval, Member States are expected to take MEPs’ requests into account.

Background

The European Parliament set out its priorities for the post-2027 EU budget in May 2025. The European Commission presented its proposal for the EU’s next long-term budget in July 2025, which, according toleading MEPs,amounts to a freeze on investment in real terms, whilst covering the repayment of NextGenerationEU loans. The EU’s long-term budget is almost entirely an investment in European businesses, farmers, regions and civil society, with only around 6% covering administrative costs.

More information: European Parliament.