Looking Ahead: The ECA's Key Messages for the Future of the EU Budget (2028–2034)

As the European Commission prepares to propose the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) in July 2025, the European Court of Auditors (ECA) has issued a forward-looking review identifying strategic opportunities for the EU budget post-2027. While not an audit, the review is grounded in the ECA’s extensive audit experience and aims to inform decision-makers shaping the future of EU public spending.

Here are the eight main messages of the review and what they could mean for the EU’s financial future.

1. A turning point in EU financial planning

The Commission’s communication “The road to the next MFF” is a milestone for defining priorities beyond 2027. It outlines the policy challenges the EU will face and sets the stage for the budget proposal due in mid-2025. The ECA sees this as a critical opportunity for reflection, strategy, and reform.

2. A contribution, not a conclusion

The ECA makes clear that its review is not an audit but a contribution to the policy debate. It provides a set of observations and proposals for consideration by the Commission, European Parliament, Council, and national governments, all of whom play a role in finalising the next MFF.

3. Focus, impact, and measuring what matters

According to the ECA, the EU budget must become more focused and deliver greater impact. While the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) introduced a performance-based approach, the ECA argues that it does not go far enough. Future budgets should be built around robust performance frameworks, more reliable data, and a shared definition of EU-added value. The review also calls for improved methodologies for calculating investment mobilisation and added financial value through guarantees.

4. Simplification must preserve accountability

The Commission’s aim to simplify the budget is supported by the ECA but with a strong stipulation: simplification should not come at the cost of transparency or accountability. Integrating new instruments directly into the budget structure is essential to reduce complexity and ensure oversight.

5. A more flexible EU budget

As crises become more frequent, the need for a responsive EU budget increases. The ECA recommends reassessing the flexibility mechanisms of the MFF to allow the EU to react more quickly while maintaining predictability and proportionality.

6. Strengthening links to reform and the rule of law

EU funds should more clearly support long-term structural reforms, tailored to national and regional needs. Lessons from the RRF suggest a need for clearer performance conditions, accountability measures, and protection of the EU’s financial interests. The ECA also highlights the opportunity to further embed rule of law safeguards in the budget.

7. Financing pressures and new borrowing realities

Future EU budgets will face increasing pressure from borrowing-related obligations, especially as repayments on NextGenerationEU begin. The ECA stresses the importance of clear planning, risk mitigation, and stable revenue sources to ensure long-term sustainability.

8. Strengthening external accountability

As expectations of what the EU budget can deliver increase, so does the need for external audit and full democratic scrutiny. The ECA urges that any new instruments be designed with clear audit rights and legal frameworks that support transparency at all levels.

Final Thoughts

With the post-2027 MFF on the horizon, the ECA’s review is a call for a smarter, more accountable, and better-performing EU budget that can meet the challenges ahead while upholding the Union’s values and financial integrity.