General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2026 - all sections
The European Parliament adopted by 384 votes to 202, with 58 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the Council position on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2026.
Parliament has set the overall level of commitment appropriations for 2026 at EUR 193.9 billion, an increase of EUR 597.8 million compared to the Commission proposal. It set the overall level of payment appropriations at EUR 192.6 billion.
According to Parliament, the EU budget, on account of its size, structure and rules, has a very limited capacity to respond appropriately in 2026 to the challenges facing the Union and has insufficient resources to adequately address the current economic, social, climate and environmental as well security challenges or to adequately finance and implement today’s priorities.
Parliament deplored that the Council proposes to cut commitment appropriations by EUR 1.3 billion across the MFF headings and stressed that the 2026 budget must be aligned with the Union’s objectives and international commitments. They are restoring the EUR 1.3 billion in commitment appropriations for essential programmes such as Erasmus+ and EU4Health.
On the other hand, Parliament welcomed the Commission's new efforts to present more options for new sources of revenue for the Union budget.
MFF Headings
Heading 1 - Single market, Innovation and Digital
Parliament seeks to increase allocations for Horizon Europe by EUR 60 million and transport and energy networks by EUR 80 million to boost competitiveness, job-creation and cross-border infrastructure.
Overall, Parliament reinforces heading 1 by EUR 148 696 914 in commitment appropriations compared to the draft budget and by EUR 636 944 317 compared to the Council reading.
Sub-heading 2b - Resilience and values
The expenditure programmes under sub-heading 2b have to share the already tight resources and margins with the European Union Recovery Instrument (EURI) budget line which covers the NextGenerationEU (NGEU) interest costs, and that this has de facto prevented the Commission from proposing reinforcements where they are needed. Members insisted on the proper use of an agreed ‘cascade mechanism’, designed to manage the reimbursement of escalating NextGenerationEU borrowing costs and to protect flagship programmes.
Parliament decides to:
- increase funding for the Union Civil Protection Mechanism by EUR 30 million;
- increase the EU4Health programme’s appropriations by EUR 5 million;
- reinforce Erasmus+ by EUR 5 million;
Overall, Parliament reinforce sub-heading 2b overall by EUR 60 500 000 in commitment appropriations compared to the draft budget and by EUR 835 089 901 compared to the Council reading.
Heading 3 - Natural Resources and Environment
Parliament proposes to help young farmers by increasing complementary income support by EUR 23 million. It also stressed the need to reverse Council’s cuts under the agricultural programmes, particularly in light of rising food prices and the growing challenges to food security.
To promote agricultural products, Members decide to increase the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) by EUR 30 million.
Considering the transatlantic tariffs, Parliament proposes to increase the allocation of the budget line dedicated to the wine sector by EUR 15 million.
The Union’s biodiversity expenditure target of 10 % for 2026 is not expected to be met. Therefore, Parliament proposes to increase appropriations for the clean energy transition strand by EUR 15 million above the DB and for the nature and biodiversity strand by EUR 15 million above the DB.
The resolution reinforces heading 3 by EUR 98 000 000 in commitment appropriations compared to the draft budget and by EUR 115 704 728 compared to the Council reading.
Heading 4 - Migration and Border Management
Members propose to increase appropriations for the Border Management and Visa Instrument (BMVI) by EUR 30 million and the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) by EUR 10 million.
Members refuse the Council’s unjustified cut and restore appropriations to the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex).
Parliament reinforces heading 4 overall by EUR 40 000 000 in commitment appropriations compared to the draft budget and by EUR 61 000 000 compared to the Council reading.
Heading 5 - Security and Defence
Stressing that the military mobility programme is essential to the Union’s defence preparedness and the protection of its citizens in light of the shifting security environment, Parliament decides to increase appropriations for military mobility by EUR 35 million.
Parliament reinforces heading 5 overall by EUR 52 000 000 in commitment appropriations above the draft budget and the Council reading.
Heading 6 - Neighbourhood and the World
Parliament proposes to increase appropriations by EUR 35 million with the aim of increasing funding to UNRWA given its vital role in delivering humanitarian aid and essential services like health and education to Palestinian refugees in Gaza and the wider region.
Regarding the Eastern Neighbourhood which continues to be significantly affected by the Russian war of aggression, Parliament proposes to increase appropriations by EUR 25 million to address complex challenges associated with this situation.
Moreover, Members wish to add a new budget line dedicated to the Reform and Growth Facility for Moldova.
Overall, Parliament reinforces heading 6 by EUR 110 000 000 in commitment appropriations above the draft budget and the Council reading.
European Parliament
The resolution maintains unchanged the overall level of its budget for 2026 set at EUR 2 636 241 620.