Estimates of revenue and expenditure for the financial year 2027 – Section I – European Parliament

P10_TA(2026)0155

Estimates of revenue and expenditure for the financial year 2027 – Section I – European Parliament

Committee on Budgets

PE785.303

European Parliament resolution of 30 April 2026 on Parliament’s estimates of revenue and expenditure for the financial year 2027 (2025/2247(BUI))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to Article 314 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

– having regard to Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 September 2024 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union (recast) (the ‘Financial Regulation’),

– having regard to Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2093 of 17 December 2020 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021-2027 and to the joint declaration agreed between Parliament, the Council and the Commission in this context and the related unilateral declarations,

– having regard to Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2022/2496 of 15 December 2022 amending Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2093 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021 to 2027,

– having regard to Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/765 amending Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2093 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021 to 2027 (MFF Revision),

– having regard to the Interinstitutional Agreement of 16 December 2020 between the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management, as well as on new own resources, including a roadmap towards the introduction of new own resources,

– having regard to its legislative resolution of 16 December 2020 on the draft Council regulation laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021 to 2027,

– having regard to its resolution of 15 December 2022 on upscaling the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework: a resilient EU budget fit for new challenges,

– having regard to its resolution of 3 October 2023 on the proposal for a mid-term revision of the multiannual financial framework 2021-2027,

– having regard to its resolution of 27 February 2024 on the draft Council regulation amending Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2093 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021 to 2027,

– having regard to the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2026, as definitively adopted on 26 November 2025, and the joint statements agreed between Parliament, the Council and the Commission annexed hereto,

– having regard to the Secretary-General’s report to the Bureau on drawing up Parliament’s preliminary draft estimates for the financial year 2027,

– having regard to the preliminary draft estimates drawn up by the Bureau on 9 March 2026 pursuant to Rules 25(7) and 104(1) of Parliament’s Rules of Procedure,

– having regard to the draft estimates drawn up by the Committee on Budgets pursuant to Rule 104(2) of Parliament’s Rules of Procedure,

– having regard to Rule 104 of its Rules of Procedure,

– having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgets (A10-0124/2026),

A. whereas the budget proposed on 9 February 2026 by the Secretary-General for the Parliament’s preliminary draft estimates for 2027 amounts to EUR 2 665 474 853 and represents an increase of 2,33 % or EUR 60 618 266 compared to 2026 budget;

B. whereas the increase of 2,33 % as proposed by the Secretary-General is due to an increase of 2,01 % for statutory financial obligations and 2,89 % for non-statutory expenditure;

C. whereas the Union annual inflation was 2,3 % in December 2025 according to Eurostat, down from 2,7 % in December 2024; whereas the level of expenditure in Heading 7 of the multiannual financial framework (MFF) 2021-2027 is based on a 2 % annual increase;

D. whereas the credibility of the Parliament depends on its ability to deliver on its core budgetary, legislative and scrutiny work to the highest standard, while setting an example vis-à-vis other Union institutions to plan and conduct its spending prudently and efficiently and to reflect the prevalent economic realities;

General framework

1. Is concerned with the situation of Heading 7 in the current MFF; recalls that the constraints are the results of the cuts applied by the Council to the Commission’s already very low initial proposal when agreeing on the 2021-2027 MFF as well as the cumulated impact of higher than expected inflation over several years; regrets the Council’s opposition to the Commission’s proposal to increase the ceiling of Heading 7 in the MFF revision as from 2024; points out the failure to address the issue of the ceiling of Heading 7 in the MFF revision; highlights that the forecasted negative margin for 2027 presupposes the use of special instruments in Heading 7 for that purpose; underlines that recourse to special instruments should remain exceptional, duly justified and limited to unforeseen circumstances;

2. Endorses the agreement reached in the Conciliation between the Bureau and the Committee on Budgets on 15 April 2026 to set the increase over the 2026 budget at 1,98 %, corresponding to an overall of estimates of EUR 2 656 435 753 for 2027, and to reduce accordingly the appropriations proposed on the following budget lines for a total of EUR 10 554 000:

1 0 0 6 — General expenditure allowance, 1 4 0 5 01 — Expenditure on interpretation: external interpretation, 1 4 2 — External translation services, 1 6 1 2 07 — Learning and development: external training for DG ITEC, 2 0 0 7 04 — Construction of buildings and fitting-out of premises: Liaison Offices/Europa Experience, 2 1 0 0 02 — IT governance and cyber security — ICT security, risks and compliance, 2 1 0 0 03 — IT governance and cyber security — Frontier technology, 2 1 0 1 02 — Business applications management — IT Solution Delivery, 2 1 0 1 13 — Business applications management — DG FINS, 2 1 0 2 03 — Infrastructure and operations management — Telecom, 2 1 0 2 04 — Infrastructure and operations management — Corporate Infrastructure, 2 1 0 2 05 — Infrastructure and operations management — Software —Infrastructure, 2 1 0 2 07 — Infrastructure and operations management — Printing management, 2 1 0 3 01 — Digital workplace services and equipment — Individual IT equipment, 2 1 2 0 01 — Furniture: purchase, rental, renewal, maintenance and repair of furniture, 2 1 6 0 01 — Transport of Members, other persons and goods: members’ transport (hire and use), 3 0 0 0 02 — Expenses for staff missions and duty travel between the three places of work: missions outside the three working places, 3 0 0 0 03 — Expenses for staff missions and duty travel between the three places of work: learning and development, 3 2 1 0 01 — Expenditure on European parliamentary research services, including the library, the historical archives, scientific and technological options assessment (STOA) and the European Science-Media Hub: impact assessment and European added value, 3 2 2 0 09 — Documentation expenditure: subscriptions and media monitoring, 3 2 4 2 01 — Expenditure on publication, information and participation in public events: information campaigns, 3 2 4 3 01 — European Parliament visitor centres: Parlamentarium and “Europa Experience”, 3 2 4 3 02 — European Parliament visitor centres: House of European History, 101 — Contingency Reserve.

Furthermore, it was decided to increase the level of expenditure of the preliminary draft estimates approved by the Bureau on 9 March 2026 by EUR 1 514 900 and to increase accordingly the appropriations proposed on the following budget lines:

4 0 3 — Funding of European political foundations and 4 4 0 — Cost of meetings and other activities of former Members.

3. Recalls that almost two-thirds of the budget is fixed by statutory obligations; recalls that the salary indexation, in line with the Staff Regulations and Statute for Members of the European Parliament, is currently forecast by the Commission for July 2026 at 2,2 % and for July 2027 at 2,3 %;

4. Notes that out of the increase of EUR 51,6 million compared to the 2026 budget, an increase of EUR 32,6 million is due to statutory financial obligations, mainly for salary updates of officials and temporary staff (EUR 16,2 million) and contract agents (EUR 1,7 million); welcomes that an exceptional direct aid is foreseen from 2027 onwards for each trainee based in Luxembourg (up to EUR 500 per month of traineeship) to help them cope with rising housing costs; calls to ensure accessibility for traineeships for young people in the context of rising cost of living regardless the place of work; welcomes the Bureau decision to forgo indexation of the General Expenditure Allowance for 2026;

5. Takes note that the amount foreseen on Parliamentary Assistance Allowance is estimated based on historical trends; stresses that under no circumstances can Members be deprived of their right to make full use of this allowance, in line with the relevant rules, due to unavailability in this budget line; requests the Secretary-General to closely monitor the situation, inform the Committee on Budgets on the implementation of the budget line and take relevant action when there is a risk of insufficient financial resources;

6. Notes that Parliament does not request any additional posts for 2027, the fourth year in a row;

7. Notes that the increase for non-statutory expenditure between 2026 and 2027 is 2 %;

8. Welcomes the ongoing work of the Secretary-General in line with the reforms proposed by President Metsola on 16 June 2025 on administrative cooperation, planning and simplification aimed at enhancing efficiency, an efficient use of resources and achieving savings where possible; calls for strengthened reporting mechanisms to enhance transparency and accountability; asks the Secretary-General to provide the Committee on Budgets with regular updates on the implementation of the Action Plan on administrative simplification and its impact in terms of budget and staff;

Strengthening Parliament’s core functions

9. Takes note of the four new thematic Directorates-General (DGs), operational since January 2025 and responsible for legislative, budgetary and scrutiny activities, in order to improve the functioning of Parliament as a co-legislator, as one arm of the budgetary authority, and as discharge authority;

10. Takes note of the redeployment of internal resources as regards the number of allocated posts (+15 % from 2024 to 2026), the budgetary envelope for external staff (item 1400, from EUR 3,2 million in 2024 to EUR 8 million in 2027) and the budget for external expertise (item 3200, from EUR 3,2 million in 2024 to EUR 7,7 million in 2027) to reinforce the expertise provided to Members; stresses the need to ensure that these increases remain justified, proportionate and deliver clear added value; requests the Secretary-General to provide the Committee on Budgets with regular updates on the evolution and use of resources in those four new DGs; underlines the need to ensure the important objective of strengthening Parliament's capacity to support the work of Members; stresses also the crucial role of political groups in providing expertise and political support to Members in their legislative and parliamentary work;

11. Recalls that the duty to protect the Union’s financial interests applies equally to all beneficiaries of Union funds, including political groups operating within Parliament; notes that investigations and recovery actions concerning the suspected misuse of Union funds by the former Identity and Democracy group, reconfigured today as the Patriots for Europe Group, highlight the importance of robust internal controls, effective ex-post verification and swift recovery mechanisms within Parliament’s administration; calls on Parliament’s administration to complete all outstanding recovery proceedings without delay and to refer any evidence of irregular expenditure to OLAF and the EPPO; stresses that the credibility of the Union’s anti-fraud architecture depends on its consistent application to all beneficiaries, including those within Parliament itself;

Digital transition

12. Notes that the overall IT budget represents 7,6 % of the total budget in the 2027 estimates and amounts to EUR 202,4 million; stresses the importance of a sound cybersecurity infrastructure in geopolitically turbulent times; recalls the planned gradual increase of the cybersecurity financial appropriations to 10 % of Parliament’s ICT budget; notes that such planned increase should be implemented as soon as possible;

13. Underlines that Parliament's cybersecurity is a key priority at time of geopolitical uncertainty; notes that the total amount allocated to cybersecurity is EUR 16,9 million which includes an increase on the centralised cybersecurity line by 54 % compared to 2026; recalls that investments in cybersecurity are key to protecting the democratic voice of the Parliament and the Union and ensuring the proper functioning of the Parliament;

14. Stresses that Parliament needs to be at the forefront of adopting more digital working methods; welcomes investments in artificial intelligence (AI) amounting to EUR 1 million; calls for the use of AI to be increased in order to gain efficiencies and strengthen sovereignty in this field while keeping in mind the related risks, including ethics and data protection; stresses that AI deployment must balance innovation with necessary safeguards; highlights the potential of AI to streamline administrative processes; encourages the development of clear guidelines and safeguards to ensure the responsible and transparent implementation of AI, fostering innovation while upholding fundamental rights, security, and accountability; notes that the development of AI will be closely monitored in line with the principles established by the Bureau; stresses that AI investments should not only focus on administrative efficiency but also on enhancing democratic transparency and citizen engagement;

15. Stresses that, given the geopolitical context and the investments that the European Union will have to make for its strategic autonomy, the European Parliament must set an example; takes note of the preparations of a consolidated action plan aimed at strengthening Parliament’s position on Digital Sovereignty; looks forward to receiving regular updates on the progress made; underlines the importance of ensuring a high level of cybersecurity, data protection and resilience in Parliament’s digital infrastructure; stresses the need to carefully assess the risks associated with reliance on non-European providers, including through risk assessments; emphasises the importance of maintaining secure, competitive and reliable solutions, including, where feasible, by prioritising European providers; calls for a regular evaluation of Parliament’s communication channels and digital tools on the basis of security and compliance with EU law, in a coordinated manner with other EU institutions, with a view to ensuring the protection of parliamentary data and the integrity of its communication;

Infrastructure

16. Acknowledges the new approach related to buildings, that entered an area of consolidation rather than acquiring new buildings, taking into account sustainability, accessibility and mobility of Members and staff as well as visitors;

17. Takes note that the SPAAK building renovation starts to be carried out as of 2027; takes note that the overall budget for the renovation has been set at EUR 455 million and that EUR 77,67 million are foreseen for 2027; underlines that these costs are not included in the budget 2027; stresses the need to ensure strict cost control, transparency and adherence to the planned budget;

18. Takes note that the Parliament intends to contract loans, including with the European Investment Bank, for the financing of the SPAAK renovation project; takes note that, in the budget for 2027, costs linked to interest (EUR 3,17 million) and to the repayment of the capital (EUR 0,65 million) are included; urges that, where relevant, costs not directly linked to the renovation works should also be clearly listed and budgeted; calls on the administration to keep the Committee on Budgets closely informed on the applicable interest rates for the loans and the long-term planning of the repayment of the principal; stresses the need to ensure prudent debt management;

19. Regrets the delays in establishing Europa Experiences in all Member States; welcomes the new concept, endorsed by the Bureau on 31 March 2025, to optimise the use of the Europa Experience spaces, taking into account the different situations across the Member States; stresses the importance of ensuring that the Europa Experience should offer an engaging visitor experience to attract citizens; calls for the establishment of Europa Experiences with priority to be given to Member States furthest from the three places of work while ensuring that their development and operation remain cost-effective; recalls that Europa Experiences should allow all citizens to have a better understanding of the functioning of Union institutions and our shared values; stresses the need for an efficient use of the budgetary appropriations allocated to these centres to ensure they deliver high-impact communication and outreach in particular to young people and vulnerable groups; underlines that funding should prioritise the dissemination of factual and accessible information on the local impact of EU policies, representing a cost-effective tool in protecting the Union’s democratic integrity against disinformation;

20. Recalls the importance of the European Parliament Ambassador School programme to promote active engagement among young Europeans and of the training programme for young journalists named in honour of David Sassoli to strengthen the understanding of the Union and its functioning amongst journalists, as the best antidote against disinformation, in light of recent trends demonstrating a worrying decline in media freedom and independence across the Union;

21. Reiterates its support for the building of a pan-European memorial in Brussels for the victims of the 20th century totalitarian regimes, reflecting the diversity of historical experiences; calls on the Bureau to consider this matter with a view to adopting a decision, taking due account of the budgetary constraints of the final years of the current MFF and the economic hardships facing European citizens;

22. Stresses the fact that having a single seat for the Parliament could reduce the financial and environmental costs; recalls that, according to the Treaty on the European Union, Parliament is to have its seat in Strasbourg; notes that permanent changes would require a Treaty change for which unanimity is needed;

Green Parliament

23. Welcomes the Parliament’s environmental management system (EMAS) targets for 2025-2029; welcomes the investments in infrastructure as part of the planned energy efficiency and environmental renovation actions foreseen between 2025 and 2029, which is a good method of achieving value for money; takes note of the budget of EUR 8,97 million for investments on energy efficiency and environment in the 2027 estimates to further improve the environmental performance of its buildings; notes that this corresponds to an increase of 6,1 % compared to the 2026 budget; welcomes that Parliament has installed and is continuing to install photovoltaic solar panels to further increase the share of renewable energy produced on-site; stresses the need to ensure that such investments deliver measurable efficiency gains, also given the geopolitical context and to achieve long-term cost savings;

24. Recalls that nearly two-thirds of Parliament's carbon footprint originates from the transportation of people; takes note that a significant share of Parliament’s budget, EUR 162,1 million in 2027, is spent to cover mission expenses of Members and staff; calls for a reflection of Parliament’s bodies on mission practices outside of the three working places and a revision of mission rules and practices with the overall aim to reduce the number of missions, and the associated financial and environmental costs; encourages Members to use low carbon transport alternatives and best value flight options;

25. Welcomes the increased use of public transport for commuting and at the same time takes note of the increased demand for the financial subsidy system for public transport season tickets, in particular in Brussels, leading to an increase of appropriations; considers that the Parliament has to lead by example by encouraging possible measures to ensure the efficient use of resources by enhancing sustainable modes of transport for commuting and creating additional incentives for bicycle commuting;

26. Takes note of the significant increases of the carbon credit prices which at current emission levels would need an estimated EUR 950 000 for 2027; calls on the administration to give priority to decreasing Parliament’s emissions including by increased investments in clean heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, notably heat pump installations in Brussels and other proportionate and cost-effective measures to lower emissions, where reasonable, over buying carbon credits; welcomes the introduction of an enhanced train offer for missions to Strasbourg as of June 2025, as a positive step towards reducing CO2 emissions;

Others

27. Calls on the Conference of Presidents to come up without further delay with a decision concerning the relevant Articles of its internal rules regarding the participating of APAs to accompany Members in official missions and delegations outside Parliament’s three places of work where no member of staff of their political group represented in the mission has been officially notified to Parliament's Secretariat;

28. Believes that Parliament should lead by example concerning the rights of persons with disabilities, both as an employer and as a public institution; welcomes Parliament’s policy aiming to ensure the fully independent use of Parliament buildings by persons with disabilities and supports further measures and adaptations that are necessary in this regard; notes that the budget provides for EUR 2,07 million for this purpose for its buildings in Strasbourg; stresses that accessibility should be a key criterion in the renovation of the SPAAK building and the development of all digital platforms;

29. Welcomes the recent initiatives endorsed by the Conference of Presidents and the Bureau to allow Members in the perinatal period to vote by proxy, recognising this as a positive step towards greater inclusiveness in parliamentary work, and calls on all parties to swiftly implement the measure; insists, however, that the measure falls short of Parliament’s repeated calls to ensure voting rights not just for Members in the perinatal period, but also for Members on parental or paternity leave or facing certified long-term illness;

30. Expresses concern that the quality and continuity of services provided by Parliament’s Wayenberg Crèche have been affected by frequent changes of service providers since 2020, alongside challenges related to staff shortages, high staff absenteeism and staff turnover at the crèche; takes note of the award of the current contract for Parliament’s childcare services in Brussels to a new company established shortly after the publication of the tender and reportedly linked to the former provider, Esedra; recalls the early termination by Parliament of the contract with the previous provider of the Crèche Wayenberg, Esedra, after a number of serious allegations against that contractor; reiterates that decent working conditions and adequate pay for external staff, including training, skills development, measures against violence and harassment, meaningful social dialogue and investment in staff wellbeing should, where relevant, be a priority consideration in public procurement of Parliament as a matter of principle; calls for an independent external audit of the tender procedure and of the implementation of the current contract, including an independent external assessment of working conditions and staff wellbeing;

31. Welcomes the family room in Strasbourg as a valuable support for Members and staff with young children during their parliamentary activities; notes, however, that it has a limited capacity to accommodate 30 children; observes that the average age of Members of the European Parliament and parliamentary staff has decreased in recent years, leading to a higher number of young families and increased demand for childcare facilities; calls on the Bureau and the Secretary-General to identify and implement solutions to further enhance childcare in Strasbourg;

32. Reaffirms its call for the Secretary-General to emphasise the fundamental principle that all recruitments should be based on competency while also ensuring geographical balance among all Member States at every staff level; underscores that achieving fair geographical representation at all levels of the administration, also taking into account age and gender, is essential to fostering a genuinely European public service; notes that Parliament has taken measures to support this objective, including the organisation of nationality-specific competitions; highlights the need to accelerate the competitions’ processes while maintaining a strict merit-based selection approach;

33. Highlights that multilingualism is a key principle on which Parliament’s work is based; asks that, where appropriate, Parliament capitalise on major technological evolutions in multilingualism-related services, including the development and use of AI;

34. Takes note of the judgement of 17 December 2025 by the General Court of the Court of Justice of the European Union confirming the legality of the measures adopted by the Bureau in 2023 regarding the Voluntary Pension Fund for Members; highlights that while these measures reduced the benefit obligation by 63 %, the fund remains in a very fragile financial situation; expects to receive an update of further developments regarding the Voluntary Pension Scheme;

35. Highlights that requests voted by the Plenary should be implemented as a matter of high priority;

36. Adopts the estimates for the financial year 2027;

37. Instructs its President to forward this resolution and the estimates to the Council and the Commission.