Archive · 27 Aug 2026
Six EU Nations Seek Major Cuts to Future Budget
The European Union is planning a large budget for 2028 through 2034.
The plan would spend nearly €2 trillion.
Six countries that pay more into the EU than they receive want the budget to be much smaller.
Germany has already asked for a cut of about €400 billion.
These countries want more money directed toward defence, competitiveness, migration and European sovereignty.
They do not want the EU to borrow more money together to pay for its plans.
Countries that receive more EU funding may oppose large cuts to farming, regional development and poorer regions.
All 27 EU countries must agree, so reaching a deal could be difficult.
Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Austria, Finland and Sweden called for substantial cuts to the EU’s proposed 2028-2034 budget.
Germany had previously sought a reduction of about €400 billion from the nearly €2 trillion plan.
The six net contributors want spending focused on defence, competitiveness, migration and European sovereignty.
They oppose new joint EU borrowing and seek stronger rule-of-law conditions for receiving EU funds.
All 27 EU member states must unanimously approve the budget, making negotiations difficult before a targeted 2026 agreement.
- Who
- Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Austria, Finland and Sweden are seeking major reductions, while all 27 EU member states will negotiate the budget.
- What
- The six countries called for substantial cuts to the European Commission’s proposed nearly €2 trillion budget for 2028-2034.
- When
- The joint statement was issued on Thursday; negotiations are entering a decisive phase, with an agreement targeted by the end of 2026.
- Where
- The negotiations concern the European Union and its member states.
- Why
- The six net contributors say the proposal is unaffordable amid pressure on national finances and want spending focused on common strategic priorities.
Net Contributors Seeking Cuts
EU Funding Recipients Resisting Cuts
Overall budget size
Net Contributors Seeking Cuts
Germany and five other net contributors want the proposed budget reduced by several hundred billion euros and say spending must be controlled.
EU Funding Recipients Resisting Cuts
Countries that receive more EU funding are expected to resist deep reductions because major cuts could affect programs they rely on.
Spending priorities
Net Contributors Seeking Cuts
The six countries want EU spending focused on defence, competitiveness, migration and European sovereignty.
EU Funding Recipients Resisting Cuts
A smaller budget could force difficult choices involving agriculture, regional development and economic cohesion, which are important to funding recipients.
Conditions on EU funding
Net Contributors Seeking Cuts
The six governments support stronger rule-of-law conditions that could restrict payments to countries accused of undermining judicial independence or other democratic standards.
EU Funding Recipients Resisting Cuts
The articles do not state a specific opposing position from recipient countries on these conditions.
- Proposed budget
- Nearly €2 trillion
- Budget period
- 2028-2034
- Countries seeking cuts
- Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Austria, Finland and Sweden
- Earlier German request
- Germany sought a reduction of about €400 billion in June
- Approval requirement
- Unanimous approval by all 27 EU member states
- Negotiation target
- European Council President Antonio Costa has said reaching a deal by the end of 2026 is a priority
- Opposed financing method
- The six countries oppose new joint EU borrowing