The Budget

The Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) is the European Union's long-term budget. It defines whether the EU remains an economically integrated union or drifts toward becoming a centralised redistributive state. The Commission's proposal for 2028-2034 is now under negotiation. The European Parliament has signalled it wants to go further still, pushing the envelope close to €2 trillion.

To function well, the MFF must strictly adhere to the principle of subsidiarity: EU funds should be spent only on genuinely cross-border issues that member states cannot handle alone. The budget should reflect the EU's founding logic, that removing trade barriers generates far more prosperity than massive public spending programmes.

Instead of relying on central planning and public debt, the EU should focus on deregulation to release private investment and boost economic growth.

The Commission wants €1.76 trillion. What would you do?

Each category starts at the Commission's proposed level. Drag below or above to build your own MFF. pending items that fail the subsidiarity test should be returned to European taxpayers.

Adjust the spending

Commission EPICENTER Fails subsidiarity

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Our alternative framework

Our experts at EPICENTER have reviewed the Commission's MFF proposal. Our alternative is anchored in the founding logic of the European Union, which prioritises an open and well-regulated single market over the allocation of public funds by central institutions. The framework is built on a single foundational test: EU-level expenditure is justified only when it is strictly necessary to maintain or complete the free movement of goods, services, capital, and persons.

1% budget ceiling

Capping total commitments at approximately 1% of EU GNI, a total envelope of ~€1.5 trillion for 2028-2034.

Honour the subsidiarity principle

Phased elimination of CAP income support and cohesion transfers. Redistributive functions returned to member states.

Focus on core functions

Spending concentrated on genuine collective action: external borders, common trade policy, cross-border research.

Infrastructure & research

Funding for shared research and cross-border energy interconnectors, provided they demonstrate clear European added value.

Revenue neutrality

Any increase in EU-level revenue must be matched by an equivalent cut in national taxation. The overall tax burden should not increase.

Selective approach to new levies

Oppose CORE and the e-waste levy. Acknowledge that tobacco excise harmonisation (TTD) has merit for market integration and public health but reject TEDOR to become only a revenue-extraction mechanism.

Debt discipline

Joint borrowing should remain a temporary crisis tool, not a structural feature. Use immobilised Russian assets for Ukraine support.

Pension capitalisation

Capitalise the EU's own €93bn staff pension liabilities through a savings programme, ending the pay-as-you-go transfer to future generations.

Two budgets, one choice

The Commission's proposal alongside EPICENTER's alternative. Same period, same EU, fundamentally different priorities.

Spending by heading

Each major spending item compared: Commission proposal (blue) vs European Parliament (grey) vs EPICENTER alternative (red). Click any graph to read the full chapter analysis.

H1: Partnership plans / NRPP (excl. NGEU repayment)

H2: Competitiveness, Prosperity and Security

H3: Global Europe

H4: Administration

Revenue by source

Where the money comes from: current system and proposed new own resources. EPICENTER's position: enforce revenue neutrality. 

This only works long-term if

1% GNI cap

Cap EU spending at 1% of gross national income

€8T

Mobilise dormant European capital through pension & market reform

Subsidiarity

Only fund what member states genuinely cannot do alone

Deregulate

Cut red tape to generate economic growth, not subsidise around it

Read the full analysis

Dive into every spending chapter, every revenue source and every recommendation.

Spending Chapters
Revenue Chapters
Recommendations