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DRAFT BUDGETARY ASSESSMENT (COM(2026)0152 – C100094/2026 – 2026/0084(COD))

On the proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Union Space Services Agency and amending Regulation (EU) 2021/696

BUDG-PA-792028

Committee on Budgets · Rapporteur: Hélder Sousa Silva

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The Committee on Budgets gives its budgetary assessment of the proposed regulation on the European Union Space Services Agency and amending Regulation (EU) 2021/696. It takes note of the proposed budget and staff increase but says the proposal does not fully address the loss of purchasing power or the existing shortfall of 82 posts. It opposes the Commission's power to block a wide range of Administrative Board decisions and proposes amendments to remove or limit that power. It asks for financial implications of any new responsibilities to be assessed and the Legislative Financial and Digital Statement revised, and for the establishment plan to allow career progression. It finds the proposal compatible with the multiannual financial framework, the own resources system, the interinstitutional agreement and the Financial Regulation.

Committee position. The Committee on Budgets takes note of the proposed budget and staff increase but finds it does not fully address the loss of purchasing power or the 82-post shortfall. It opposes the Commission's expanded blocking power over Administrative Board decisions and proposes amendments to remove or limit it, to delete charges for publications, and to require assessment of financial implications and career progression.

Key points

  1. The Union contribution to the Agency is EUR 525.7 million under the current MFF and the Commission proposes EUR 979.6 million in the next MFF.
  2. The draft EU Space Act would let the Agency charge fees to fully cover its expenditure, but there is no provision to charge for publications.
  3. The Agency's tasks will grow in number and complexity through the ECF and the Space Act, many highly security sensitive, and services must be available without interruption, including in a crisis.
  4. The Agency uses sub-contracted staff for highly specialised tasks, which creates continuity and security risks; it says it still lacks 82 FTEs (74 TA and 8 CA posts).
  5. The Commission proposes a pool of Member State staff for short-term deployments of no longer than two years for peaks of work or urgent situations.
  6. The proposal greatly expands the Administrative Board decisions requiring a favourable vote of Commission representatives, with no explanation given.
  7. The Committee takes note of the budget and staff increase but considers that bringing key tasks in house would reduce continuity and security risks and that seconded national officials are no substitute for adequate resources.
  8. The Committee considers that charges for publications the Agency does not provide are unnecessary.
  9. The Committee recalls that independence and autonomous decision-making are key for agencies and that the Commission's proposed blocking power would shift power in the Agency and undermine the budgetary authority's prerogatives.
  10. The Committee asks that new responsibilities be assessed financially and the Legislative Financial and Digital Statement revised, and invites the Commission to help assess the financial implications of co-legislator amendments.
  11. The Committee recommends adjusting the Agency's establishment plan to allow career progression.
  12. The Committee determines that the proposal is compatible with the multiannual financial framework, the own resources system, the interinstitutional agreement and the Financial Regulation.

Who is affected

  • The European Union Space Services Agency: its budget, staff, fees and decision-making rules would change.
  • The Commission: would gain power to block Administrative Board decisions and is asked to assist the budgetary authority.
  • The budgetary authority: its prerogatives would be undermined by the proposed voting rules.
  • Member States: their staff could be deployed to the Agency for up to two years.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 525.7 million: Union contribution to the Agency under the current MFF.
  • EUR 979.6 million: proposed Union contribution in the next MFF.
  • 82 FTEs (74 TA and 8 CA posts): shortfall the Agency considers it still lacks.
  • no longer than two years: maximum length of short-term deployments of Member State staff.
  • 15 days: period within which the Administrative Board must postpone a decision after the Commission raises serious concerns.

Legal basis: Article 310(4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union