Go to content

European Union budget

All EU member states make a financial contribution to the implementation of EU policy. A large part of that money goes to the agricultural sector and regional policies. However, European funds are also spent on research and innovation, external policy and on the administration of the EU itself.

Adoption of EU multiannual budget

The Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the EU‘s long-term budget, is normally adopted for a period of 7 years. It sets out the maximum amounts that the EU can spend each year in various budget categories. It also contains agreements on how resources in these categories are allocated and how the EU budget is funded. The current MFF started in 2021. Negotiations are ongoing for a new MFF for the period from 2028 to 2034. 

EU multiannual budget for 2028-2034

At this moment negotiations are ongoing for the MFF for the period from 2028 to 2034. The Netherlands’ positions in these negotiations are as follows: 

  • The Netherlands is pressing for an acceptable level of EU contributions.
  • The Netherlands is not in favour of issuing new common debt for new European instruments. 
  • The Netherlands argues for modernisation of the EU budget, with funds being shifted towards competitiveness, defence and security, and asylum and migration. In addition, the Netherlands stresses the importance of flexibility in the budget, so that the EU can react to unforeseen circumstances.

The EU’s annual budget

The Council and the European Parliament adopt the EU’s annual budget. The budget must stay within the limits laid down in the MFF. The EU is not permitted to run a budget deficit.

Management and control of EU resources

Each year the European Court of Auditors gives its opinion on the reliability of the EU’s accounts and the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions in the form of a statement of assurance.

Management and control of EU resources in the Netherlands

The Dutch Ministry of Finance is jointly responsible for the management and control of EU resources, as part of central government’s auditing policy. The Ministry also coordinates the Netherlands’ contribution to:

  • the financial management of the EU budget;
  • the management of EU grant funds in the Netherlands.

National declaration

Member states are also free to draw up their own national declaration on the functioning of the control systems and the regularity of expenditure. Each year the Dutch Minister of Finance submits such a declaration to the House of Representatives and the European Commission on behalf of the government. The Netherlands Court of Audit also gives its opinion on the declaration.

Annual summary

The Ministry of Finance draws up the annual summary for the European Commission. This is a mandatory report in which member states account for the money received from EU funds under shared management, covering the amounts claimed and the financial management and control system. It includes the results of the audits conducted by the audit authority, which checks whether member states have spent the money in a legitimate manner.