Investments tailored to improving people’s lives: MEPs’ EU budget priorities for 2025

MEPs advocate for a robust, people-centred EU budget to offer better opportunities to all citizens

Emphasis on green and digital transitions, ensuring prosperity and security

Focus on priorities for 2025, the first annual budget after the revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework

Among the priorities for next year’s EU budget are enhanced support for the green and digital transitions, competitiveness, and ensuring prosperity, inclusiveness and security across the EU.

Highlighting a commitment to address the multifaceted challenges of today’s Europe, the European Parliament’s Committee on Budgets has adopted a forward-looking stance for the 2025 EU budget with a broad majority. In the draft resolution by rapporteur Victor Negrescu (S&D, RO), adopted on Monday by 28 votes in favour, 2 against, with 2 abstentions, MEPs clearly state that "in times of geopolitical and institutional change, financial pressure, climate change and societal challenges, a reliable, robust, flexible, investment oriented EU budget remains instrumental for the implementation of the Union’s policies and central in responding to people’s increasing needs”.

The 2025 EU budget will be the first annual budget that will see the full benefit of the reinforcements decided in the MFF revision, but it will also be the first procedure that will have to make difficult choices about how to cover the repayment costs of the debt incurred under the "NextGenerationEU" borrowing scheme.

A people-centred EU budget that is equitable, fair and inclusive

The draft resolution emphasizes an EU budget that champions affordable living, societal cohesion, and high-quality public services. It advocates for a budget that not only complements national policies but also amplifies the Union's strategic aims by addressing the diverse needs of EU citizens. This approach underscores the social dimension of EU expenditure, promoting initiatives that range from public health enhancements to fostering social inclusion and educational opportunities through programmes like Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps.

A budget that delivers on strategic priorities

Highlighting the budget’s strategic role, MEPs also advocate for increased investment in key programs like Horizon Europe and InvestEU, along with the STEP regulation, to fortify the EU’s technological and industrial base. The resolution calls for a budget that supports the European Green Deal, digital infrastructure enhancements, and the EU's climate neutrality goals, focusing on investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable technologies.

A future-fit budget for a changing world

The resolution articulates the need for a future-oriented budget that adapts to the global landscape, emphasizing comprehensive migration and asylum policies, and enhancing the EU’s security and defence capabilities, notably in support of Ukraine amidst ongoing conflicts.

Boosting the implementation of EU programmes

The Parliament is committed to improving the effectiveness of translating EU programmes into concrete action, emphasizing the role of cohesion policy in promoting sustainable growth and reducing regional disparities. It advocates for the swift execution of budgetary allocations while ensuring transparency, and robust oversight to maximize the EU budget's impact.

Next steps

The vote in plenary is scheduled during the 11-14 March session. The Commission is expected to present its proposal for the 2025 budget before the summer 2024. Next year's budget has to be agreed between the Council and the Parliament by the end of this year.

Background

The budget guidelines are the first document that Parliament produces during the annual budget procedure. It sets out the line that Parliament expects the Commission to take when drawing up its budget proposal.

Well over 90% of the EU budget goes to citizens, regions, cities, farmers and businesses.