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REPORT (2024/2110(BUI))

On general guidelines for the preparation of the 2026 budget, Section III – Commission

A-10-2025-0042

Committee on Budgets · Rapporteur: Andrzej Halicki

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✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 4 Sept 2026

Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

Parliament's resolution sets out its guidelines for the 2026 EU budget, focusing on security, competitiveness, sustainability, and citizens' well-being. It calls for increased funding in research, SMEs, defence, migration management, climate action, health, education, and support for Ukraine and enlargement countries. It insists on protecting direct payments to farmers, addressing the housing crisis, and ensuring proper implementation of EU laws and values.

Key points

  1. Calls for the 2026 budget to boost investment in security, defence, research, SMEs, health, energy, migration, and border protection, with administrative simplification.
  2. Urges increased funding for Horizon Europe to fund at least 50% of excellent proposals and support researchers and SMEs.
  3. Highlights the need for public-private partnerships and accessible financing for SMEs, noting InvestEU envelopes may run out by 2025.
  4. Calls for accelerating digital and green transitions, investing in digital infrastructure, AI, cybersecurity, and digital skills.
  5. Demands enhanced EU defence capabilities, including common investment and procurement, and supports the ReArm Europe plan.
  6. Stresses proper implementation of the Asylum and Migration Pact and adequate funding for border management and migration funds.
  7. Urges protection of CAP direct payments and reduction of administrative burden on farmers, with support for young farmers.
  8. Calls for increased funding for climate action, the EU Solidarity Fund, and the Civil Protection Mechanism to respond to natural disasters.
  9. Insists on continued investment in health programmes, Erasmus+, and measures to address skills gaps and support young people.
  10. Calls for funding to counter disinformation, protect citizens from terrorist threats, and enforce digital regulations.
  11. Reiterates support for Ukraine, including macro-financial assistance of up to EUR 35 billion, and for enlargement countries.
  12. Insists on reliable information on NGEU borrowing costs and progress on new own resources to cover them.

Who is affected

  • EU citizens and businesses, particularly SMEs, farmers, young people, and those in rural or outermost regions.
  • Member states, especially those bordering Russia or Belarus, and frontline states, for defence and solidarity support.
  • Ukraine and enlargement countries, including Western Balkans and Moldova, receiving financial support.
  • EU institutions and agencies, which must be properly staffed and resourced.

Figures and deadlines

  • 3% of GDP for research and innovation investment.
  • At least 50% of excellent proposals under Horizon Europe.
  • EUR 35 billion macro-financial assistance for Ukraine.
  • 30% climate mainstreaming target, projected 33.5% in 2025.
  • 10% biodiversity target, below 8.5% in 2025.

Legal basis: Article 314 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union