10 Jul 2025
Council agrees on EU draft budget for 2026
On 9 July 2025, the Council of the European Union reached an agreement on its position on the 2026 EU draft budget. The agreement was reached between the ambassadors of member states to the EU (Coreper), with formal adoption by the Council scheduled by means of a written procedure in September. In total, the Council's position for next year's budget amounts to €186.24 billion in commitments and €186.49 billion in payments, not including appropriations foreseen for special instruments outside the multiannual financial framework (MFF).
The Council stresses the importance of ensuring that the budget for 2026 stands at an appropriate level for the implementation of policies and programmes. At the same time, the 2026 budget should safeguard the EU’s ability to cope with ongoing crises and challenges, such as in Ukraine and the Middle East, strengthening Europe’s defence readiness and preparedness, as well as addressing migratory pressures in line with the MFF revision priorities, the Council states. It also considers that next year’s budget should allow for sufficient margins under the MFF 2021-2027 ceilings to deal with unforeseen crises and unforeseen circumstances. At the same time, the 2026 budget should provide enough resources to allow commitments already made to be paid in due time (for references to the R&I budget, see pages 5+6 of the Council Position document).
Commitments are legal promises to spend money on activities whose implementation extends over several financial years. Payments cover expenditure arising from commitments entered into the EU budget during current and preceding financial years.
The Council’s position will serve as a mandate for the Danish presidency of the Council to negotiate the 2026 EU budget with the European Parliament. This year, the legal deadline for reaching agreement on the annual budget is 17 November 2025 at midnight.
For more information:
Council position on the draft budget for the financial year 2026