ECOFIN - Economic and Financial Affairs Council

11/15/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/14/2025 19:36

EU budget for 2026: Council and Parliament reach agreement 02:31 The Council and the European Parliament have agreed on the EU’s annual budget for 2026. Next year’s budget will[...]

The Council and the European Parliament have agreed on the EU's annual budget for 2026. Next year's budget will focus on delivering Union priorities and dealing with ongoing challenges. It will boost competitiveness, strengthen Europe's defence readiness and preparedness, provide support for humanitarian assistance and address migratory pressures.

At the same time, the budget safeguards the flexibility to react swiftly and effectively to unforeseen needs and crises.

The 2026 budget amounts to €192.8 billion in total commitments and €190.1 billion in total payments. €715.7 million has been kept available this year under the expenditure ceilings of the current multiannual financial framework for 2021-2027, allowing the EU to react to unforeseeable needs.

Today's agreement shows that Europe can deliver, even in challenging times. The 2026 EU budget will allow us to deliver on our common priorities - security, competitiveness and border control - all while ensuring that the EU can react swiftly and effectively to unforeseen needs and crises.

Nicolai Wammen, Minister for Finance of Denmark and chief Council negotiator for the 2026 EU budget

2026 EU budget (in € million)

Headings

Commitments

Payments

1. Single market, innovation and digital

22,163.0

23,336.6

2. Cohesion, resilience and values

71,649.8

73,166.7

3. Natural resources and environment

56,529.4

52,577.3

4. Migration and border management

5,018.9

3,887.9

5. Security and defence

2,813.5

2,253.3

6. Neighbourhood and the world

15,600.0

16,569.7

7. European public administration

13,277.5

13,277.5

Special instruments

5,715.9

5,022.5

Total

192,768.1

190,091.6

Appropriations as % of GNI (gross national income)

1,00%

0,99%

Commitments are legal promises to spend money on activities whose implementation extends over several financial years. Payments cover expenditure arising from commitments made for the EU budget during current and preceding financial years.

This is the sixth annual budget under the EU's long-term budget, the multiannual financial framework (MFF) for 2021-2027. The 2026 budget is complemented by actions to support the COVID-19 recovery under NextGenerationEU, the EU's plan to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Next steps

The European Parliament and the Council now have 14 days to formally approve the agreement reached. The Council is expected to endorse it on 24 November. Adoption of the budget requires a qualified majority within the Council.

  • EU annual budget for 2026: Council agrees its position on the draft budget (press release, 9 July 2025)
  • EU budget for 2026 (background information)
  • The EU's annual budget (background information)
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