Skip to main content

How the EU budget is adopted

EU budget

The EU budget combines resources at European level and enables EU countries to achieve more together than they could by acting alone. The budget also helps save public money by financing projects such as infrastructure and research programmes, using relatively small EU investments with multiplying effect, while preventing duplication of effort at national level.

The EU budget is principally an investment budget and complements EU national budgets as its main aim is to boost growth and competitiveness at a broader European level. It is only used when it is more effective to spend money at EU level than at local, regional or national level. It finances activities including:

  • developing rural areas
  • promoting cohesion and conserving the environment
  • supporting EU education and research programmes (Erasmus and Horizon)
  • protecting external borders
  • increasing development cooperation
  • promoting human rights.

What the EU budget does: some examples

Long-term budget

The long-term budget – known as the multiannual financial framework (MFF) – typically defines the spending priorities and limits for a 7-year period. The MFF sets the maximum annual amounts (ceilings) for EU spending as a whole and the main spending categories (headings), and enables the EU to plan its funding programmes several years in advance. 

The current MFF runs from 2021 to 2027. The European Parliament, the Council, and the Commission all contributed to its negotiation.

Annual budget

A new annual budget is negotiated and adopted each year. This sets out the spending and revenue for the financial year within the limits agreed under the MFF currently in force.

The European Parliament, the Council and the Commission all have a say in determining the size of the annual budget and how it is allocated. But, under the Treaties (Article 17(1) Treaty on European Union, Article 317 Treaty on the functioning of the European Union), it is the Commission that is accountable for implementing the budget. Depending on the nature of the funding concerned, the EU budget can be managed (i) jointly by the Commission and national authorities; (ii) directly by the Commission or (iii) indirectly by other authorities inside or outside the EU. EU countries and the Commission share the responsibility for implementing about 80% of the budget.

The long-term budget negotiation process

Presenting the budget

The negotiation process for the long-term budget starts a few years before its actual adoption.

The Commission launches the formal process by presenting its MFF package.

This package includes proposals for:

  • a MFF Regulation, which sets out how much the EU can spend
  • an Own Resources Decision, which lays down the sources of EU revenue
  • sectoral legislation governing all EU funding programmes

Negotiating the budget

The Council of the EU prepares its position, identifying the points requiring political direction and priority-setting from EU leaders. Its findings help the European Council draw up its draft conclusions on the MFF package.

EU leaders in the European Council provide political guidance on the main elements of the long-term budget, enabling the Council to reach its position.

The European Parliament also adopts a position on the Commission proposal. Trilateral negotiations with the European Parliament begin once the European Council has agreed its position, with a view to securing the European Parliament’s consent.

Adopting the budget

The long-term budget is then adopted following a special legislative procedure.

The MFF Regulation is adopted after:

  • unanimity is reached to secure a deal in the Council
  • the European Parliament gives its consent to conclude the decision-making process (The European Parliament can approve or reject the Council's position but it cannot make amendments to it).

Before the Own Resources Decision can enter into force it requires:

  • unanimous agreement for adoption in the Council
  • an opinion from the European Parliament
  • approval by every EU country according to their constitutional requirements

2021-2027 MFF

How the long-term budget is negotiated

The EU’s long-term budget explained

The annual budget negotiating process

Legal basis

The EU’s annual budget is decided jointly by the European Parliament and the Council. The procedure they follow is established by Article 314 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and takes place in the year preceding the budget’s implementation.

Standard budgetary procedure

  • by 1 July, all EU institutions send the Commission their respective statement of estimates, drawn up according to their internal procedures
  • by 1 September, the Commission submits its draft annual budget to the European Parliament and the Council based on the MFF Regulation in force and the budget guidelines for the coming year. In practice, the Commission aims to present the draft budget in June
  • by 1 October, the Council adopts its position on the draft budget (including amendments)
  • the European Parliament’s position follows within 42 days (also including any amendments)

If the European Parliament and the Council disagree: 

  • a Conciliation Committee with representatives of both co-legislators is convened and tasked with reaching an agreement on a joint text within 21 days of the European Parliament adopting its position
  • the European Parliament and the Council have 14 days to approve or reject the joint text

If the joint text is approved:

  • the annual budget is adopted by the European Parliament

If the Council rejects the joint text:

  • the European Parliament can still adopt the budget but only with a specific majority (a majority of members and three-fifths of the votes cast)

If the European Parliament and the Council both reject the joint draft or fail to agree:

  •  the budget is rejected and the Commission must submit a new draft budget

The annual budget can be amended to react to unexpected circumstances or in light of information not available at the time of the Commission’s proposal. This can take place through a letter of amendment (if before the final adoption) or through an amending budget (if during the implementation). Both letters of amendment and amending budgets are subject to the same procedural rules as the general budget.

EU budget timing

EU budget revenue and spending

How the EU annual budget is prepared