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Political agreement reached

A political agreement on the 2014 – 2020 multiannual financial framework (MFF) among European institutions was reached on 27 June 2013. The leaders of the European Parliament, Council and Commission agreed on a compromise that is to be formally endorsed by the European Parliament and the EU Council.

The proposed MFF includes new initiatives to help young Europeans find jobs, to help small and medium enterprises gain access to badly needed investment funds. The agreement also includes insurance that all obligations for the 2013 EU budget will be met, enabling the EU to start the financial period without unpaid claims made in the past. The MFF includes an important deal on flexibility which will allow making a maximum use of funds the level of which has been substantially reduced by the EU Member States as compared to the original Commission´s proposal.

About the Multiannual Financial Framework

The multiannual financial framework is a spending plan that translates the EU priorities into financial terms. It is not a seven-year budget, but the basis for the annual budgetary exercise. It sets the maximum annual amounts which the EU may spend in different political fields. It therefore provides a political as well as budgetary framework for the benefit of 500 million Europeans. The current MFF period started in 2007 and will end in 2013. The European Council (February 2013) decided that the new MFF will be lower than the current one.

More information on the Multiannual financial framework (MFF) website

More information on the Multiannual financial framework (MFF) negotiations

Main figures

The Council has agreed an overall ceiling of €959.988 billion under five headings:

Smart and inclusive growth: 47%

Sustainable growth: natural resources: 39% 

Global Europe: 6%

Administration: 6%

Security and citizenship: 2% 

The commitment ceiling amounts to 1.00% of EU gross national income (GNI) compared to 1.12% for the 2007-2013 MFF.

The ceiling for payments equates to 0.95% of EU gross national income (GNI) compared to 1.06% for 2007-2013.

Read more a bout the Roadmap

Funding and programmes: to help Europe recover from the crisis

This spending plan seeks to increase growth and jobs in Europe, encourage greener agriculture and establish a more environment-conscious and internationally prominent Europe.

The proposals foresee funding increases for research and innovation, education and training and external relations. Specific funds will be used to fight crime and terrorism, and for migration and asylum policies. Climate spending is expected to represent at least 20% of EU spending in the period 2014-2020.

The Connecting Europe Facility is a completely new way to fund cross-border transport, energy and digital infrastructure projects to strengthen the internal market and boost growth and jobs.

More information on funding and programmes