On Saturday, November 16, Parliament reached a deal with member states to secure an ambitious EU budget for the upcoming year. This budget aims to tackle current challenges such as health care, humanitarian aid, border management, and climate action, ultimately improving citizens’ lives.
During the revision of the EU’s long-term budget in February 2024, Parliament achieved significant increases for key priorities, including support for Ukraine. These additions were successfully maintained for the 2025 budget. The Parliament also ensured that funds for the European Recovery Instrument (EURI) repayment costs would be covered, projected to be almost double the initial forecast for 2025, all while protecting essential programmes like Erasmus+ and research.
“At almost €200 billion, the 2025 EU Budget is 6% larger than the 2024 Budget, representing a €10 billion increase that will allow to respond to the needs of Europeans while paying back the Union’s post-pandemic economic recovery without cutting key programmes. By approving our EU budget for next year, we are sending a strong message to EU citizens that despite the difficult political and economic context, the EU is able to equip itself with the financial means necessary to implement its policies and respond to people’s needs,” declared Victor Negrescu (S&D, RO), general rapporteur for the EU budget 2025 (for section III – Commission).
Additionally, MEPs secured further funding for vital EU programmes in the 2025 annual budget. They negotiated an extra €230.7 million beyond the European Commission’s initial draft proposal, with a focus on crucial initiatives such as research, health care, education, support for young farmers, coordination of social security schemes, crisis response to natural disasters, climate action, humanitarian aid, military mobility, and border management.
Moreover, major increases from previous savings will benefit the 2025 budget, including €422 million for Erasmus+ and €20 million for Horizon Europe. The 2025 budget was adopted with 418 votes in favour, 185 against, and 67 abstentions. The Council had already endorsed the deal on November 25.
“This budget addresses urgent challenges, including Russian aggression in its war against Ukraine, ongoing migration pressures, the escalating crisis in the Middle East, the impact of natural disasters, and crucially, the competitiveness of our economies. This will ensure the EU can respond effectively to these pressing realities,” Johan Van Overtveldt (ECR, BE), Chair of the Committee on Budgets, said.
Unlike national budgets, the EU budget primarily aims to attract investment and generate growth and opportunities across the European Union. The EU serves 27 countries with a total population of 450 million.
“The EU budget for 2025 is a forward-looking achievement for the remaining years of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF 2021-2027). I can confirm that we successfully defended Parliament’s key priorities, enhancing cybersecurity and advancing the use of Artificial Intelligence in the EU institutions. This agreement demonstrates our commitment and responsibility towards our citizens,” stated Niclas Herbst (EPP, DE), rapporteur for the other sections.
