Brussels, June 19, 2024: The European Commission (EC) on Wednesday presented a draft EU budget for 2025, which focuses on building the Union’s resilience and preparedness for future challenges. The total budget is proposed at €199.7 billion, which will be supplemented by an estimated €72 billion from the NextGenerationEU program (NGEU).
Key priorities of the budget:
- Stable support for Ukraine: The exact amount is not specified, but significant assistance is expected in the areas of humanitarian aid, reconstruction, and reforms.
- Refugee assistance and strengthening the neighborhood: €0.9 billion to support the basic needs and integration of refugees in Turkey and the wider southern neighborhood region, as well as funding to support development and stability in the Western Balkans.
- Common agricultural policy: €53.8 billion to ensure food security and promote sustainable agriculture.
- Regional development and cohesion: €49.2 billion to reduce regional disparities and support investment in growth.
- Support for EU partners and interests in the world: €16.3 billion to strengthen international relations and diplomacy.
- Research and innovation: €13.5 billion, of which €12.7 billion for the Horizon Europe program, to strengthen EU competitiveness in key technologies.
- Addressing defence challenges: €1.8 billion to strengthen EU defence capabilities, including support for research and development, in response to the geopolitical situation.
- European strategic investments: €4.6 billion to support growth and competitiveness, including investments in infrastructure and digital technologies.
- Functioning of the single market: €977 million to protect consumers and combat fraud.
- Border protection: €2.7 billion, of which €997 million is for the Frontex agency, to strengthen border control and combat illegal migration.
- Migration: €2.1 billion to support migrants and asylum seekers in the EU, with a focus on humanitarian assistance and integration.
- Environment and climate change: €2.4 billion to support sustainability and the green transition, in line with the Paris Agreement goals.
In addition to the mentioned priorities, the draft budget also focuses on investing in:
- Supporting young people and education
- Healthcare and digital technologies
- Culture and media
- EU values such as democracy and the rule of law
The EU budget for 2025 will now be assessed by the Member States (EU Council) and the European Parliament. The final form of the budget will be approved by the end of the year.
Key figures:
- Total EU budget for 2025: €199.7 billion
- Additional volume from the NextGenerationEU program (NGEU): €72 billion
- Largest share of the budget: Common agricultural policy (€53.8 billion)
- Highest increase compared to 2024: defense (40% increase)
- Largest share of EU GDP: 1.02%
Source: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_3247
