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Budget

Find out how the EU budget supports political priorities and investments in large-scale projects.

The EU budget finances all of the EU’s actions in areas such as climate change, economic growth, security and sustainable development. By doing so, it helps member states achieve more together than they could individually.

The budget is planned annually but operates within a long-term budgetary plan.

A pile of euro coins

The EU’s long-term budget

The EU’s long-term budget or multiannual financial framework (MFF) is a seven-year budgetary plan that provides financing for programmes and actions aligned with the EU’s strategic priorities.  

The EU’s annual budget

The annual budget outlines all of the EU’s expenditures and revenues for one year, ensuring they fit within the spending limits set by the long-term budget. 

It funds policies and programmes in line with the EU’s political priorities and legal obligations.

How is the annual budget adopted?

How is the annual budget adopted?

EU budget timing (pragmatic calendar)
Annual budget cycle

Annual budget cycle

2026 budget

2026 budget

Latest explainers

The recovery and resilience facility

The recovery and resilience facility

A stylised collage showing a wind turbine, solar panels and a scientist using a smartphone, with circuit-like lines and an H₂ symbol in the background.
Horizon Europe

Horizon Europe

A stylised pie chart labelled with future years sits behind a jar filled with coins, suggesting long-term financial planning or saving over time.
The EU's long-term budget for 2028–2034

The EU's long-term budget for 2028–2034

Last review: 6 July 2026