The recovery and resilience facility
The recovery and resilience facility (RRF) is the bulk of Next Generation EU. It is a temporary instrument that provides grants and loans to support reforms and investments in the EU member states.
What is the recovery and resilience Facility?
The recovery and resilience facility (RRF) represents the bulk of the Next Generation EU effort: close to 90% of the total envelope.
It is a large-scale financial support programme designed to help member states to address the economic and social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Established following the adoption of a Council regulation on 11 February 2021, this temporary instrument not only supports recovery but also ensures that member states’ economies can advance towards a green transition and digital transformation, promoting sustainability and resilience for the future.
How the funds are disbursed (in current prices)
In current prices, the Next Generation EU envelope amounts to around €807 billion. The RRF, totalling €723.8 billion, is disbursed as: €385.8 billion in loans and €338 billion in grants.
The Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), totaling €723.8 billion, is disbursed as:
- loans: €385.8 billion
- grants: €338 billion
To date, around €426 billion has been disbursed from the RRF.
On 12 April 2024, ministers approved conclusions on the mid-term evaluation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility. In its conclusions, the Council recognised the RRF’s positive contribution to the green and digital transitions and other EU priorities.
How do EU countries get access to recovery funds?
Over the course of 2021 and 2022, member states submitted national recovery and resilience plans (RRPs) setting out their reform and investment agendas up to 2026.They were asked to outline coherent packages of projects in six policy areas.
The six policy areas of the national plans
green transition
digital transformation
smart, sustainable and inclusive growth and jobs
social and territorial cohesion
health and resilience
policies for the next generation, including education and skills
On 30 June 2022, the Commission updated the maximum financial contribution for non-repayable financial support for each member state, in accordance with article 11(2) of the RRF regulation. The plans will be reviewed and adapted as necessary to take account of the final allocation of funds.
The recovery and resilience plans were assessed by the Commission based on a set of criteria, including:
- consistency with the country-specific recommendations of the European Semester
- improvements to the member state’s growth potential, job creation and economic and social resilience
- effective contributions to the green and digital transitions (national plans should allocate at least 37% of the budget to climate and biodiversity and a further minimum of 20% to digital measures)
The assessment of the recovery and resilience plans was then approved by the Council within one month, by qualified majority on a Commission proposal.
Positive assessment of payment requests is dependent on satisfactory fulfilment of the relevant milestones and targets.
The ratification of the own-resources decision by all member states enabled the EU to start making funds available under the Recovery and Resilience Facility.
Once payments begin, member states report on progress twice a year as part of the European Semester.
How does the recovery plan contribute to tackling the energy crisis?
In 2022, the Commission presented the REPowerEU plan to overcome the disruption in the global energy market caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The recovery and resilience facility contributes to the implementation of the new plan to transform the EU's energy system and phase out its dependence on Russian fossil fuels by financing infrastructure and supporting energy reforms.
To do so, member states are adding dedicated REPowerEU chapters to their existing recovery and resilience plans. The updated recovery and resilience plans including REPowerEU chapters are being assessed by the Commission following a process similar to the one described above.
Last review: 12 June 2026