Breaking down the EU's €200 billion budget for 2025
02 December 2024
The European Union has approved its €199.4 billion budget for 2025, a 6% increase from the previous year. Here's what the EU plans to spend its money on next year:
Education: Erasmus+, the EU's flagship student exchange program, receives an extra €422 million, creating more opportunities for young Europeans to study abroad.
Climate action: The EU is allocating €56.92 billion to natural resources and environment. That figure is only a tiny increase from last year's €54.12 billion.
Crisis management: The EU has set aside €16.26 billion for neighbourhood and the world, ensuring continued support for Ukraine amidst the ongoing war. Migration and border management receive €4.78 billion to handle border security and humanitarian responses.
The 2025 budget is the first under the so-called revised Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), a long-term plan for EU spending. Adjustments aim to better address pressing issues like Russia's war against Ukraine, the global climate crisis, and economic recovery from Covid-19.
 | Henrique Tizzot Unlike national budgets focused on healthcare or defence, the EU budget pools resources from its member states to tackle cross-border challenges. The budget is proposed by the European Commission, amended by the Council and Parliament, and finalised when signed into law. Where does the money come from? Revenue comes from member state contributions, customs duties, and a small portion of VAT collected within each country. These funds are pooled to finance collective priorities. |
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