• The next long-term budget of the European Union (EU) – known as the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) – comes into force in January 2028 and sets out the EU's spending priorities for several years.
• The new MFP is announced as simpler, more impactful and more targeted.
• To this end, the European Commission invites all European citizens to give their opinion on the policies that the new MFF should support in a public consultation open until 6 May.

Last March, the European Commission ( EC ) published acommunication on “The path towards the next Multiannual Financial Framework,” outlining the main political and budgetary challenges that will define the design of the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). This long-term budget of the European Union (EU) has the power to set EU spending priorities for several years by supporting policies aimed at people, farmers, researchers, businesses, and regions across the EU and beyond.

For the next MFF, which is expected to come into force in January 2028, the EC is announcing a new vision for EU countries, businesses, and citizens to rethink how the EU budget works to make it fit for the future. It heralds a simpler, more impactful, and more targeted budget with a new approach:

1. A single plan for each country with key reforms and investments , designed in collaboration with national, regional and local authorities.
2. A European Competitiveness Fund that will establish investments in strategic sectors and cutting-edge technologies.
3. Financing a new foreign policy, more aligned with strategic interests.
4. Additional measures to protect the rule of law.

In short, the EC sends a clear message: things cannot continue as they are. And they announce a call for change, for transformation: "We cannot remain as we are. It is time to evolve, improve, or act."

Public consultation

Given the importance of the issue, the Communication on the new long-term budget of the EC is accompanied by a public consultation to provide input and contribute to the consultation, open until May 6. The consultation is presented with an overview of all EU funds implemented in each Member State in these areas: cohesion policy, common agricultural policy, fisheries and maritime policy, home affairs, and trans-European networks. The EC specifically clarifies that "the decision to group themes serves to support the preparatory work and does not prejudge the architecture of future programs. "

Thus, the only public consultations open to comments are:

• Implementation of EU funds with Member States and regions.
• EU funding for competitiveness.
• EU funding for external action.
• EU funding for cross-border education, training and solidarity, youth, media, culture and creative sectors, values and civil society.
• EU funding for civil protection, crisis preparedness and response.
• EU funding for the single market and cooperation between national authorities.
• Performance of the EU budget.

And then what?

Following the consultation, a citizens' panel will bring together 150 Europeans to discuss and formulate concrete recommendations for the next EU budget. A website will be available to openly participate in the debate. In addition, EU Budget Commissioner Piotr Serafin will tourEurope.   throughout 2025 to hold individual consultations with Member State authorities, regional stakeholders, and beneficiaries of the EU budget.

The Commission will present its formal proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework in July 2025 , with the aim of securing an agreement before its implementation in January 2028.

Importance of the Fund

The EU has an annual budget cycle and a long-term budget, known as the Multiannual Financial Framework. This multiannual planning ensures the predictability of EU spending, particularly for multiannual projects and policies.

In accordance with Article 312 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the MFF covers a minimum period of five years. Its overall objective is to ensure that EU spending develops in an orderly manner and within the limits of its own resources. Based on a proposal from the Commission, the MFF is adopted unanimously by the 27 EU Member States in the Council, after obtaining the consent of the European Parliament.

The current financial framework runs from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2027, with total expenditure of €1.211 trillion. It is accompanied by the NextGenerationEU Funds , a temporary recovery instrument of up to €807 billion to boost the European economy in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.