The EU’s new long-term budget will use simpler, tailored national and regional partnership plans to invest in people, regions, and Member States, focusing on
- reducing disparities
- supporting agriculture and fisheries
- strengthening social rights
- promoting equal opportunities.
These plans will include strong safeguards for rule of law, transparency and accountability, while ensuring less developed regions and farmers receive guaranteed support.
Key figures
Tailor-made investment plans
The new long-term budget will bring together key EU funds implemented by Member States and regions under one coherent strategy, focused on cohesion and agricultural policy. This strategy will be implemented through national and regional partnership plans, simpler, more flexible and tailored, to maximise the impact of every euro invested.
The plans aim to
- reduce regional disparities
- fight poverty
- support farming and fisheries
- help manage border challenges.
They are tailor-made because the regions have different needs, and they know best how to implement EU priorities locally.
The plans will be designed and implemented in close partnership between the Commission, the Member States, regions, local communities and all other relevant stakeholders. Each Member State will be able to access the same amount of funds as before.
New EU loans for strategic goals
For the first time, the EU will offer up to €150 billion in loans, backed by the EU, to help countries invest in areas such as the defence industry, energy infrastructure or strategic technologies. Known as "Catalyst Europe", these loans provide Member States with additional resources to support European objectives.
Justice and rule of law
Through the Justice programme, the EU will dedicate almost €800 million towards upholding the rule of law, protecting citizens’ fundamental rights, and strengthening democracy.
This funding will be used to
- promote judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters
- support training for judges and legal professionals
- ensure equal access to justice for all citizens and businesses
The national and regional partnership plans will make the rule of law and fundamental rights a condition for investment and a focus for reform. There will be strong safeguards and clear conditions to make sure the money is used responsibly and effectively.
Where will the funds go?
- Regions
around €450 billion will be available for economic, social and territorial cohesion, with at least €218 billion for less developed regions
- Agriculture and fisheries
€300 billion to support farmers' income with a doubled reserve; at least €2 billion for fisheries to safeguard livelihoods and sustainability
- People
14% of the budget for social policies with full tracking; Erasmus+ funding boosted by 50% to expand student exchanges
- Migration and border management
triple the investment in migration and border management
- Crisis response
triple the investment in the Solidarity Fund, so that we can act fast and decisively when natural disasters strike
What the EU budget delivers today
The Just Transition Fund (JTF) supports regions which are most affected by the transition to a climate-neutral economy. In Ida-Viru region in Estonia, that has long focused on the extraction of oil shale, the JTF is supporting the construction of a new factory producing rare earth magnets. The project is expected to create 1,000 new jobs and play a vital role in Europe’s energy transition. Rare earth magnets can be used in wind turbines and in hybrid and electric vehicles.
This page was last reviewed on 15 January 2026