Resilience, preparedness and security: MEPs’ EU budget priorities for 2026

2026 budget should play a key role in enhancing the EU’s defence and security capabilities

Reinforce political and strategic autonomy as well as social, economic and territorial cohesion

Additional investments in research, innovation, SMEs, health, energy, border protection, and digital and green transitions

EU budget is the largest investment instrument complementing national budgets

MEPs in the Budgets Committee have endorsed the draft report on the 2026 EU budget priorities, emphasising defence, prosperity and sustainability.

Amid growing geopolitical tensions and worsening effects of climate change, the EU budget remains crucial in ensuring stability for Europeans, supporting established policies and providing for strategic priorities such as defence and security. In that context, the Committee on Budgets approved Parliament’s priorities for the 2026 EU budget on Thursday by 27 votes, 8 against, and 0 abstentions.

The 2026 budget should focus on strategic preparedness and security, economic competitiveness and resilience, sustainability, climate, and strengthening the single market. MEPs call for additional investments in research, innovation, enterprises, health, energy, border protection, digital and green transitions, and young people. The report highlights the 2026 budget’s limited flexibility, while it also remains under pressure to repay borrowing under the Next Generation EU recovery plan.

Resilient and sustainable economy

EU's economic resilience and sustainability depends, increasing innovation and competitiveness, closing the skills gap and more industrial production in Europe. Research and innovation, especially under the Horizon Europe programme, remain crucial. MEPs call for adequate funding to help SMEs and more public-private partnerships. They call for faster investment in digital and green transitions, with a strong focus on digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity.

Better preparedness

MEPs call for improved EU security, cybersecurity and defence capabilities, and funding for dual-use transport infrastructure to build a genuine Defence Union. MEPs stress the need for adequate support for farmers, and funding for the EU Solidarity fund, Restore EU and Civil Protection Mechanism, to help EU countries overwhelmed by crises. MEPs emphasise implementation of the Asylum and Migration Pact in full compliance with human rights law, securing EU borders with appropriate funding, and combating migrant-smuggling networks. They underscore the importance of energy security and independence through investments in critical infrastructure, low-carbon technologies, renewables, and cross-border interconnections.

Creating opportunities for Europeans

The draft report calls for continued investment in EU4Health and Horizon Europe's Cluster Health to improve health systems and crisis preparedness. It highlights that Erasmus+ is essential for empowering young people through education, training and job opportunities. It calls for supporting cultural and creative sectors, promoting inclusive digital and media literacy, combating disinformation, countering online hate speech and extremist content, safeguarding media freedom, and ensuring proper use of EU funds while upholding the rule of law.

Strong EU in a changing world

MEPs underline the need for sufficient resources in light of the sudden decrease in international funding to address global conflicts, geopolitical challenges, and crises in the EU’s neighbourhood. MEPs pledge unconditional and full support for Ukraine, alongside funding for pre-accession efforts, neighbourhood policies, and humanitarian aid to ensure regional stability.

Managing borrowing

The repayment costs of the NextGenerationEU recovery plan will strain next year’s budget, and MEPs recall the 2020 agreement that repayment should not lead to a reduction in EU programmes and funds. MEPs are also highly concerned by the lack of progress in the Council on the new own resources to the EU budget.

Quote

"The vast majority of political groups have worked together for the common interest, delivering a strong compromise that champions our shared priorities – defence, security, energy, competitiveness, agriculture, a resilient European economy, as well as effective responses to crises, health, and strengthening democracy. We're building a stronger Union ready to face a changing world," rapporteur Andrzej Halicki (EPP, PL) said.

Next steps

The plenary vote is scheduled during the April session. The Commission is expected to present its proposal for the 2026 budget in the summer of 2025. The budget needs to be agreed between the Council and the Parliament by the end of this year.

Background

The annual budget lays down all the EU’s expenditure and revenue for one year within the limits set by the EU’s seven-year budget. The budget guidelines set out what Parliament expects the Commission to take into account when drawing up its budget proposal.